Versatility wins the day once again.

The Packers signed Elgton Jenkins to a four-year, $68 million extension, which shows that the Packers really covet guys who can play more than one position.

“I don't think there's a position up front that I can't play,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said.

The good news for Green Bay is that there are options. The question hanging over the offensive line will be David Bakhtiari. Will the frequently injured 31-year-old return to the Packers? Can the Packers trust the former All-Pro left tackle to be available and play at least 12 games for the first time since 2020?

Or Jenkins could stay at guard where he would be the No. 2 guard at $17 million median salary. The only person he would be after would be three-time All-Pro Quenton Nelson, who is averaging $20 million.

“This time last year, I was in a dark place,” Jenkins said, which is a reference to November 1. 21 when he tore his ACL. “It just comes from three seasons of playing well, playing well, and then you get hurt in your third season. I could tell I was in a dark place, but I had to work, work, work my way through this.”

According to Pro Football Focus, Jenkins ranks 10th among all guards as a run blocker and 45th as a pass blocker this year. In 2020, he was ranked 55th as a run blocker and 13th as a pass blocker. The second-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft made 26 of his 34 starts at center while playing at Mississippi State. I agree with LaFleur. There isn't a position on the offensive line that he can't play; More importantly, there isn't a position on the offensive line that he doesn't want to play.

And that's why Jenkins, who turns 27 on Monday, is a leader in the locker room. Other players see that he's willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win, and that attitude rubs off. They see how much heart and effort he has put into his career and they instantly want to use him as an example. The Packers have expected a lot from Jenkins and he has finished well above expectations. I didn't think Jenkins was going to be such a great and versatile combination. That's the perfect combination for the offensive linemen that every team covets because injuries happen and coaches are forced to play musical chairs with that group.

“From the moment he walked into the building, Elgton has been a core member of this franchise while displaying uncommon versatility, generosity and toughness,” Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said. “He's a tremendous leader and teammate and he's earned everything he's gotten.”

He certainly has and this deal shows that the Packers value the offensive line and Jenkins will be the next cornerstone of that unit going forward.