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Packers' Nose Tackle and Center Remain Top Offseason Needs After Zaire Franklin Trade
Green Bay must address major holes at nose tackle and center after trading Colby Wooden and facing uncertainty around Elgton Jenkins' future.
Published on Mar. 8, 2026
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The Green Bay Packers addressed one need by trading for linebacker Zaire Franklin, but significant holes remain at nose tackle and center. With the departures of Colby Wooden, Quinton Bohanna, and Jonathan Ford, the Packers have limited returning production at nose tackle. At center, Elgton Jenkins' future is uncertain as he carries a $20 million salary and has regressed in recent seasons. The Packers will need to be aggressive in free agency or the draft to fill these critical positions on both the offensive and defensive lines.
Why it matters
The Packers' ability to stop the run and protect their quarterback will be heavily dependent on solidifying the center of both their offensive and defensive lines this offseason. Failing to address these needs could hamper their competitiveness in the NFC North and their chances of returning to the playoffs.
The details
The Packers traded starting nose tackle Colby Wooden to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for linebacker Zaire Franklin. This leaves Green Bay with limited returning production at the nose tackle position, as Wooden, Quinton Bohanna, and Jonathan Ford accounted for 70% of the team's nose tackle snaps in 2025. The Packers may now need to turn to unproven options like Nazir Stackhouse, Warren Brinson, or Jordon Riley to fill this void. At center, the Packers' starter Elgton Jenkins carries a $20 million salary for 2026 and has regressed in recent seasons, making him a prime candidate to be traded, cut, or have his contract reworked. The team's backup center, Sean Rhyan, is now the third-ranked free agent center on the consensus board, increasing the likelihood that Green Bay could lose both of its top centers this offseason.
- The Packers traded Colby Wooden to the Colts on March 8, 2026.
- Elgton Jenkins' $20 million salary for the 2026 season comes due on March 11, 2026.
The players
Zaire Franklin
A linebacker acquired by the Packers in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts, he is expected to be Green Bay's starting middle linebacker and defensive signal-caller.
Colby Wooden
The Packers' former starting nose tackle, who was traded to the Indianapolis Colts.
Elgton Jenkins
The Packers' starting center, who carries a $20 million salary for the 2026 season and has regressed in recent years, making him a potential cap casualty.
Sean Rhyan
The Packers' backup center, who is now the third-ranked free agent center on the consensus board.
Nazir Stackhouse
An unproven option who may be asked to start at nose tackle for the Packers in 2026.
What’s next
The Packers will need to address their nose tackle and center positions through free agency or the draft in the coming months. They may need to be aggressive in pursuing free agent nose tackles like Javon Hargrave, Dalvin Tomlinson, Khyiris Tonga, or Roy Lopez, and they will have to decide the future of Elgton Jenkins at center.
The takeaway
The Packers' offseason priorities should be solidifying the center of their offensive and defensive lines. Failing to address the major holes at nose tackle and center could significantly undermine their competitiveness in 2026 and beyond.
