Jenkins, a former Green Bay Packers guard/center, is expected to start for Cleveland and be a versatile anchor up front. While it’s unclear whether he will line up at guard or center, his presence immediately solidifies the interior for a Browns unit that needed reinforcements.
Cleveland had been publicly hopeful about adding Rasheed Walker, a former Packers tackle, to the mix, but Walker’s market move shifted in a different direction. Reports indicated Walker agreed to a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers, taking him to the NFC after several seasons as a Green Bay starter.
Walker’s status as a reachable left tackle option lingered throughout the free-agent period, given Cleveland’s vacancy at left tackle and its readiness to give Walker a significant payday. While not an All-Pro, Walker was viewed as a capable starter whose price tag reflected the market reality for experienced tackles.
With Jenkins in the fold, Cleveland now has up to four of five starting spots decided on the offensive line for next season. The Browns still need to determine the left tackle, with potential options ranging from draft prospects to veteran free agents. Among the early considerations are college tackles who could be developed in the NFL or other experienced players who fit Cleveland’s schematic needs.
As the team maps out its offensive-line strategy for 2026, draft and free-agent possibilities remain on the table to address the remaining blind spot at left tackle. The Browns’ approach emphasizes a mix of veteran presence and developmental upside to stabilize the protection for the quarterback and create a more consistent run game.
