Yes depth surely played a factor, but I also think it was Clark's contract.


After this season, Kenny Clark had no more guaranteed money left on his contract, and his contract calls for $21.5 million next year.

Which includes an $11 million dollar roster bonus on the 3rd day of the 2026 season, which starts in March.

So unless Gute was going to pay that (and I don't think he was), he had until the March to get rid of Clark's contract or re-sign him to a new deal.


Clark seems absolutely great, but getting out of that contract before 2026 was absolutely a reward for the Packers management.





Which is the same reason OL Jenkins was/is looking for a new deal, as he has no guaranteed money left for 2026, and for 2026 he's owed $20 million.


Jenkins knows that the Packers MIGHT want out of that contract too, and he has no say other than refusing to take a discount until the contract is up. Therefore, he could be staying a Packer, or he could be traded for whatever the Packers can find.


One huge advantage for Jenkins is that there doesn't appear to be many young (under 30) talented (clearly starter quality) FA Centers for the Packers to choose from to take over for Center should they try to move on from him.


Bills Connor McGovern
Ravens Tyler Linderbaum
Jets Josh Myers
Packers Sean Rhyan


The Bills might have less cap room than the Packers and they do have C Sedrick Van Pran-Granger on the roster. So potentially they MIGHT let McGovern taste FA.

But still that's slim pickings unless the Packers really like Sean Rhyan.