Cheese Curds, 6/22: Expectations are high for healthy Elgton Jenkins

Over the past two years, Elgton Jenkins has gone through quite the ringer. Following David Bakhtiari’s knee injury at the end of the 2020 season, Jenkins spent significant time at left tackle in 2021 before tearing his own ACL. Then in 2022, he returned from his injury and bounced all over the line in the first half of the season.

Jenkins never looked quite right when playing right tackle in 2022, but once the Packers switched up the line, moving him back to his previous left guard position, he flourished once again. Jenkins ended up making the Pro Bowl last season thanks to his excellent play there, his second such appearance after doing so in 2020 as well.

In that 2020 season, Jenkins earned a few All-Pro votes, though he split them because of his time at both left guard at center. But in 2023, Jenkins should finally be able to spend an entire offseason — and hopefully the entire regular season — focusing on being the best left guard he can be. And he can be a damn good one.

Combined with the expectation that Bakhtiari will be all set for a full season, the Packers’ left side of the line looks like the best in the NFL.

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