The Green Bay Packers were active on the first day of NFL free agency, signing two players. The first was guard Aaron Banks who previously played for the San Francisco 49ers. The deal was reported to be worth $77 million over four years and it gives the Green Bay offensive line more skill and depth. But was will the impact be of the signing of Aaron Banks on the Packers offensive line? We break down its affect on the unit as of now.
The Impact of the Signing of Aaron Banks on the Packers Offensive Line: Banks’ Career So Far
Banks has great size. The Notre Dame alum stands 6’5” and weighs 325 pounds. He has played four seasons for the 49ers and has been a starter for the past three. The 49ers selected Banks in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the 48th overall pick.
Banks graded out in the middle of qualified guards in the NFL last season. His strength and size make him a good run blocker. His pass blocking did not grade out as well as his ability to open holes for running backs. The 49ers have a similar offense to the Packers so it shouldn’t take Banks long to adjust to Matt LaFleur’s offense.
Banks will likely be a big help to Josh Jacobs and the rest of the Green Bay running backs. But, because he has played exclusively at left guard during his career, it also means changes will be coming to the Packers starting offensive line in 2025.
The Packers Need on the Interior Offensive Line
The playoff loss to the Eagles exposed the lack of depth along the interior of the Packers offensive line. Starting left guard Elgton Jenkins suffered a stinger early in the game and did not return. The Packers first plugged in rookie Travis Glover, but he was overwhelmed. Glover committed multiple penalties and was beaten badly by the talented Eagles defensive front seven. Glover was eventually benched for Kadeem Telfort, but he also struggled.
NFL games are usually won in the trenches, and the Packers were beaten in the trenches in the playoffs.
This offseason, the Packers are likely to lose starting center Josh Myers who is now an unrestricted free agent. That will mean more changes and adjustments along the interior offensive line, and that’s where Banks will come in.
The Impact of the Signing of Aaron Banks on the Packers Offensive Line: Looking Ahead
The Packers have placed a high value on versatility when selecting offensive linemen in the draft. Now, this tendency has a chance to pay off. As a result of Brian Gutekunst’s preference for offensive linemen who can play multiple positions, the Packers have options when seeking to fill the void at center.
Because Banks has played left guard his entire career, he is most likely to compete for the starting job at that position. That means that Jenkins, who has been the starting left guard, will likely be the early favorite to move to center. Other players who can play center include guard Sean Rhyan, tackle Zach Tom, and second-year man Jacob Monk.
Jenkins just turned 29 in December and is the oldest starter along the Green Bay offensive line. Moving him to center may be the best long-term move both for the Packers and for Jenkins.
That still leaves last year’s top draft pick, Jordan Morgan, without a set starting position. Morgan could again compete with Rhyan for the right guard spot, or he could battle Rasheed Walker for the starting left tackle spot. Injuries limited Morgan to just six games last season due to injuries.
The Packers will almost certainly draft a few offensive linemen next month. With the addition of Banks, it becomes more likely those players will be added on day three of the draft, but Gutekunst almost always brings in competition for the offensive linemen.
Regardless of how the Packers ultimately line up along the offensive line in 2025, the addition of Banks adds talent and depth in an area that the team needed to improve.
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