GREEN BAY — Given the no-pads, minimal-contact nature of offseason organized team activity practices, Matt LaFleur had limited conversational options.
And so, when the Green Bay Packers head coach was asked for his early impressions of new starting left guard Aaron Banks, whom the team signed to a four-year, $77 million free-agent contract in March, LaFleur stated the obvious in search of a few laughs.
“Yeah,” LaFleur deadpanned, “he’s a pretty big guy out there.”
That the 6-foot-5, 325-pound Banks definitely is. And that’s also one of the primary reasons why Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst went after him on the opening day of free agency and why he’s a Packer after four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.
For Gutekunst, who saw his offensive line crumble in a season-ending NFC first-round playoff loss to the eventual Super Bowl LIX-champion Philadelphia Eagles after starting left guard Elgton Jenkins went down with a neck stinger on the Packers’ fourth offensive snap, getting bigger — and better — up front was an offseason priority.
And getting Banks was the first domino. Signing him freed the Packers up to move Jenkins to center, where Gutekunst believes he could be an All-Pro. That also allowed the team to move on from incumbent starting center Josh Myers, who started 50 games over four seasons but was not re-signed.
“The opportunity to get Aaron Banks, obviously you never know how [free agency] is going to go. When that thing came across, that’s when all that [other] stuff started to make sense a little bit,” Gutekunst explained earlier this offseason.
“I think if you look at some of the defensive fronts that you face — whether you’re talking about the NFC North or you’re just talking about the NFC in general — as you get into the playoffs, you’ve got to have guys that can hold up. And we look for that.
“We look for guys that can play big-man ball and sustain versus power and do those kinds of things. If you don’t have that, eventually you’re going to succumb to the teams [with] powerful, big fronts. Especially the deeper you go into the playoffs, you’ve got to be able to handle that.”
Speaking with Wisconsin-based reporters for the first time earlier this week after the team’s second OTA practice, Banks said the Packers were on him as soon as teams could legally start negotiating with outside free agents.
“The window opened on that Monday and [my agent] hit me [up],” Banks recounted. “And he was like, ‘Hey, we got good news. Think cheese.’”
A 2021 second-round draft pick out of Notre Dame who’ll turn 28 in September, Banks had started at left guard each of the past three seasons for the 49ers. He finished the 2024 season on injured reserve with a knee injury, although it did not require surgery, and he was a full participant in Wednesday’s open-to-the-media practice, working at left guard with the No. 1 offense throughout the day while other linemen shuffled positions.
After playing just five offensive snaps as a rookie in 2021, Banks started 43 of a possible 51 regular-season games over the past three seasons, playing 2,583 snaps over that span. He also started six playoff games, including the 49ers’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII.
That defeat, Banks said, is still fueling him, and he believes the Packers are capable of getting to Super Bowl LV—a game that, ironically enough, will be played at Levi’s Stadium, the 49ers’ home in Santa Clara, Calif.
“It definitely drives me. It was a frustrating experience, and I think it definitely drives me,” Banks said of the 49ers’ 25-22 overtime loss to the Chiefs, who won the game when Mecole Hardman — now Banks’ teammate with the Packers — caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes.
“I want to win a Super Bowl. That’s it. I’ve been close; I just want to win one. I feel like [the Packers] have been so close. They’ve been in the playoffs every year and it’s a young team and guys are only getting better.
“I just think we’re really close. I think we have all the tools and all the pieces to get there — and not only get there, but win it.”
First, the Packers have to figure out their plan on the offensive line, with Jenkins skipping the voluntary OTA practices in hopes of getting his contract adjusted, and with open competitions at left tackle, right guard and right tackle set to be held in training camp.
During Wednesday’s practice, both incumbent starting left tackle Rasheed Walker and 2024 first-round draft pick Jordan Morgan took snaps alongside Banks, while Jacob Monk filled in for the absent Jenkins, Sean Rhyan worked at right guard (while also taking some center snaps) and Zach Tom held down his usual spot at right guard.
“[Banks] has played a lot of football, and there’s a lot of similarities in regards to the scheme from where he came from to what we do,” LaFleur said. “Obviously we know what he’s capable of doing, but it also provides us with a lot of flexibility with everyone else around him.”
Added offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich: “Love Banks’ physicality. I think he’s really going to step up our game there. I think he’s a guy that we’re going to lean on in a lot of different situations. I’m excited about having him in there to up our physicality, for sure.”
And with running back Josh Jacobs coming off a 1,329-yard, 15-touchdown season and looking for more, and with quarterback Jordan Love set to elevate his game in Year 3 as the starter, Banks believes he landed in just the right spot.
“I was really excited when I heard that Green Bay was interested. They’re a very competitive and young team, they’ve been in the playoffs the last few years, and they like to run the ball and they have a really good quarterback,” Banks said.
“I think I bring physicality. I think I bring leadership and experience, being that I’ve played a number of playoff games. I’ve played a lot of football, and in a similar scheme. So, I think [I bring] a veteran presence but also am still young.
“We’ve got a number of guys who are like Swiss Army knives but are not only large but guys who can move. With the versatility of the guys that are up front, I think we’ve got a good group.”