It’s not your money, so it’s understandable if you don’t care much about it. But in a world of limited resources due to the NFL’s salary cap, what a team allocates to one area limits their ability to make other moves. Thus, the Green Bay Packers have placed their faith in Aaron Banks, wagering on his potential by awarding the left guard a four-year, $77 million contract.

With an average annual value of $19.25 million, it was the highest for an interior offensive lineman in free agency and ranked sixth among all guards in the NFL. However, considering other guard contracts from this year’s free agency, it’s clear that Banks’ deal is an overpay based on his current NFL performance.

The situation looks even worse after former Chicago Bears guard Teven Jenkins inked a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns. According to Spotrac, the former second-rounder will earn $3.05 million, with $2.67 million guaranteed—a $16.2 million per season gap.

The Packers argue that Banks is a better fit, yet their on-field performances don’t seem to warrant such a stark contract difference. Last season, Jenkins allowed 17 pressures over 495 pass-block snaps—one pressure every 29.11 snaps. Banks, on the other hand, allowed 25 pressures in 471 snaps, equating to one every 18.84 plays.

This isn’t an anomaly; Jenkins has consistently demonstrated superior pass-block efficiency throughout his career, excluding his stint as a left tackle. Concerns about Jenkins’ health are valid, given he missed 23 regular-season games over four years. But both players have missed significant time—Banks suffered an MCL injury in December.

Jenkins has played 2,205 offensive snaps in the NFL compared to Banks’ 2,586—a noticeable but not necessarily decisive difference. Another possible reason for the Packers’ preference could be Banks’ run-blocking prowess. Yet, according to PFF, Jenkins excels here too, with a 74.3 run-block grade last season against Banks’ career-high 68.9.

Jenkins also offers greater positional flexibility. Banks has primarily played left guard, with only five snaps at other positions, all at right guard. Jenkins, however, has logged 157 snaps at left tackle, 1,193 at left guard, 852 at right guard, and one as a sixth offensive lineman. Another appealing aspect of Jenkins is the possibility of unlocking more potential from him.

Banks performed under the well-coached San Francisco 49ers led by Kyle Shanahan. Jenkins, on the other hand, spent his rookie contract with the Chicago Bears, enduring multiple head coaches and offensive coordinators, all unsuccessful experiences, and playing with quarterbacks like Justin Fields and Caleb Williams, known for holding the ball too long, which adds pressure on an offensive lineman.

It’s about what you can achieve with the money. This isn’t strictly a comparison between Aaron Banks and Teven Jenkins. It’s understandable to prefer Banks and anticipate better performance from him. It’s reasonable to consider him a better scheme fit.

But does that justify such a significant price gap? With an extra $16.2 million, the Packers could have signed edge rusher Dayo Odeyingbo, their top choice at the edge defender position, or possibly re-signed Josh Myers, who is earning a base value of $2 million with the New York Jets. Given the Packers’ mid-term financial outlook, it’s clear they had one significant bet to place in free agency. They chose Aaron Banks. It’s a debatable choice, even if Brian Gutekunst is trusted to evaluate offensive linemen.