BREAKING: New Packer Still Has a Ton to Prove After Roster Cuts
The Green Bay Packers are changing the narrative about their team-building approach. For years under former general manager Ted Thompson, they were known as a draft-and-develop franchise, rarely dipping into free agency.
Brian Gutekunst has been steadily breaking that mold since taking over as GM in 2018. During his tenure, the Packers have brought in Jimmy Graham, Adrian Amos, Preston Smith, Za'Darius Smith, Billy Turner, De'Vondre Campbell, Xavier McKinney, Josh Jacobs, Nate Hobbs, and Aaron Banks.
He’s even swung blockbuster trades—shipping out Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers while bringing in Micah Parsons.
With the exception of Graham, there’s been a clear theme in Green Bay’s acquisitions: they’ve targeted players whose best football still lies ahead.
The Packers haven’t been signing over-the-hill veterans; they’ve been bringing in guys in their mid-20s—Amos, both Smiths, McKinney, Jacobs, and Hobbs were all 26 or younger when they first suited up in green and gold.
Banks is one of the rare exceptions. He’ll turn 28 before Week 1, and he has more to prove than most of the other free-agent signings.
Packers OL Aaron Banks Has to Prove Himself in 2025
The Packers already had a proven starter at left guard in Elgton Jenkins, a two-time Pro Bowler and one of the NFL’s most underrated interior linemen.
Yet after signing Banks, they decided to slide Jenkins over to center to replace the departed Josh Myers. That created some tension—Jenkins wanted to be compensated for the position switch. Green Bay didn’t flinch, opting to hold firm on his current contract.
Meanwhile, Banks inked a four-year, $77 million deal that came with plenty of question marks. For context, dynamic pass rusher Josh Sweat signed nearly the exact same contract with Arizona. Before the Parsons trade, pass rush was arguably Green Bay’s biggest need—so spending that money on a guard drew some raised eyebrows.
On the field, Banks has yet to silence those doubts. His 65.4 PFF grade in 2024 was right in the middle of the pack—33rd out of 77 guards. He’s been serviceable, but pass protection remains a concern, especially against quicker defensive tackles.
If Banks falters, Green Bay has reinforcements waiting.
2024 First-round pick Jordan Morgan is battling for the left tackle job but has logged plenty of snaps at guard during training camp. He’d be ready to step in if needed. Rookie Anthony Belton, primarily working at right guard, gives the Packers another option on the interior.
Banks hasn’t helped himself by battling a nagging back injury that’s kept him off the field throughout the preseason. Durability will be a storyline to monitor as the season wears on.
So while Banks’ roster spot is locked in, his starting role isn’t. Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur won’t hesitate to make a change if the veteran doesn’t hold his ground. With two younger, hungrier linemen pushing for snaps, Banks is under pressure to prove he was worth the investment.
AFC Notes: J.K. Dobbins, Bo Nix, Broncos, Chargers
Broncos
Bo Nix is entering the second year of his career after his breakout rookie campaign in 2024. Hall of Fame QB Peyton Manning is confident Nix is “made of the right stuff” to continue being a highly successful quarterback.
“Bo is made of the right stuff. He’s a little bit older, carries himself the right way. And all of it should help as he moves forward in his career,” Manning said, via Troy Renck of the Denver Post. “I am just happy that Bo is the established starter. For a number of years, they had quarterback competitions. That’s hard on the receivers, the coaches, the play-caller, and the quarterback. Now, they’ve got their guy.”
Manning thinks Nix showed talent beyond his years as a rookie.
“I just don’t see that as being a big factor for him. Rookie quarterbacks are supposed to struggle, and then the game slows down. But, it sure looked like it slowed down a lot for him last year,” Manning said. “Like with C.J. Stroud, Bo didn’t play like a rookie. … I believe experience is the best teacher, and he got great experience last year.”
Manning added that playing under Sean Payton for a second season should be beneficial for Nix.
“The continuity, more than anything else. There are times when guys go into their second year, and they are going on their third coordinator,” Manning said. “He has an experienced head coach in Sean, who is his play-caller. Having that same voice and verbiage is so critical. We expect Sean to be here for a long time, so Bo will use that to his advantage.”
Broncos
Broncos RB J.K. Dobbins had a resurgence in his career after missing 2022 with a knee injury and 2023 with a torn Achilles. His surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, said he grew a close relationship with Dobbins and praised him for his perseverance.
“I can’t say enough about him,” ElAttrache said, via Luca Evans of The Denver Post. “I mean, he’s the kind of guy that I would like to have as a friend forever. He’s that kind of person.”
ElAttrache pointed out that damaged ligaments can never return to their previous health, but Dobbins has worked hard on his rehab.
“You never want to expect they’re going to be 22 years old again,” ElAttrache said. “You can’t turn back the clock and go before, when he was that number one (running back) for the Ravens. But, having said that, his performance was still right there.”
Chargers
Chargers DC Jesse Minter still holds on to rejection letters from graduate assistant jobs that he applied to across the country, accumulating 98 in total. Minter said the rejections are a reminder to be grateful for where he is now.
“Because that’s just how I operate,” Minter said, via Daniel Popper of The Athletic. “It’s just that reminder of the joy that it is, the blessing that it is, the opportunity that you have, not to take it for granted and not to ever feel like you’ve arrived.”
Minter said he’s always tried to operate without an ego and build a culture of letting people know their value.
“A lot of coaches have crazy egos, and I think there’s a difference in being confident in yourself and sure of yourself, and then having an ego,” Minter said. “I’ve always tried really, really hard to not have an ego, to really try to build a situation where everybody feels like they have value, where everybody feels like they’re part of the success.”
- Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Chargers RB Najee Harris participated in three-straight practices last week and was cleared for contact on Friday.
