Aaron Banks Bio
Aaron Banks (born September 3, 1997) is an American professional football guard for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft. A consensus All-American in 2020, Banks has developed into a reliable interior lineman known for his size, technique, and durability at the professional level.
Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and listed at 325 pounds, Banks brings prototypical guard size to the offensive line. He wears jersey number 65 for the Green Bay Packers and enters the 2025 season as a key part of the team’s offensive front. His career has been defined by steady development, postseason experience, and a high-profile free agency move.
Early Life and Background
Aaron Banks was born on September 3, 1997, in Alameda, California. He grew up in the East Bay area and attended El Cerrito High School, where he emerged as a highly regarded football prospect. Banks was rated a four-star recruit during his high school years and drew scholarship offers from several major programs, including Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon, UCLA, Baylor, Florida, Michigan, and Miami. He ultimately committed to play college football at Notre Dame.
At El Cerrito, Banks lettered in both football and basketball all four years, showcasing his athletic versatility. He was a member of the 2013–14 NCS Division 3 Champion Football Team, the first championship in school history. During his freshman year, he played alongside several future college standouts, including UCLA’s Adarius Pickett and Arizona State’s Jalen Harvey and DJ Calhoun, who were seniors at the time. He was coached at El Cerrito by Kenny Kahn, the late George Austin, and Michael Booker.
Path to the NFL
Banks did not play in any games as a true freshman at Notre Dame, preserving his NCAA eligibility for an extra year of development. As a sophomore, he appeared in all 13 of the Fighting Irish’s games and started the final six contests. His role continued to grow, and as a junior, he started all 13 games for Notre Dame, establishing himself as a dependable presence on the offensive line.
As a senior in 2020, Banks again started every game for the Fighting Irish and earned first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors. He was also recognized as a consensus All-American that season, cementing his status as one of the top offensive line prospects in the country. His combination of experience, technique, and physical traits made him a natural fit for the next level.
Aaron Banks Career
Early Career (2021)
Aaron Banks was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round, 48th overall, of the 2021 NFL draft. On May 13, 2021, he officially signed his rookie contract with the team, a deal worth $7.07 million. As a rookie, Banks appeared in nine games during the 2021 season while adjusting to the speed and complexity of the professional game.
His limited role as a rookie gave the 49ers time to develop him, and Banks used that period to refine his technique against top-level competition. The investment in patience paid off quickly, as he transitioned into a full-time starting role the following season.
San Francisco 49ers Breakthrough (2022–2024)
In the 2022 season, Banks appeared in and started all 16 games for the 49ers, establishing himself as a fixture on the offensive line. He continued that strong play in 2023, appearing in 15 games and starting 14. His growth as a pass protector and run blocker was central to San Francisco’s offensive success during that stretch.
A highlight of Banks’ 49ers tenure came during the 2023 season, when he was a starter in Super Bowl LVIII. The 49ers faced the Kansas City Chiefs and lost 25–22 in overtime, but Banks gained valuable postseason experience on the game’s biggest stage. On December 30, 2024, Banks was placed on injured reserve, and he finished the 2024 season having appeared in and started 13 games.
Green Bay Packers Era (2025–Present)
On March 18, 2025, Aaron Banks signed a four-year, $77 million contract with the Green Bay Packers, signaling a major move in free agency. The deal underscored his value as a top-tier interior lineman and gave him a fresh opportunity to contribute to a new franchise.
Banks joined a Green Bay team looking to strengthen its offensive line and provide stability for its young quarterback. His experience, including a Super Bowl appearance and 68 career games played with 57 starts as of 2025, made him an immediate presence in the locker room. He was assigned jersey number 65 and slotted into a starting guard role for the Packers.
Playing Style and Strengths
Aaron Banks is recognized for his prototypical guard size, technical refinement, and ability to anchor against powerful interior defenders. His experience in both zone and gap schemes at Notre Dame and with the 49ers has given him a versatile skill set. Banks combines strong pass protection with the run-blocking instincts needed to move defenders at the line of scrimmage.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Banks’ career came in Super Bowl LVIII, where he started at guard for the 49ers in an overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. His 2020 consensus All-American selection at Notre Dame stands as his most prestigious individual college honor. His 2025 free agency contract with the Green Bay Packers, worth $77 million over four years, marked another major career milestone.
Aaron Banks Career Highlights
Across his professional career through the 2025 season, Aaron Banks has played in 68 games and made 57 starts, reflecting his durability and importance to his teams. His tenure with the San Francisco 49ers included a Super Bowl LVIII appearance and steady development into a starting guard. His 2025 signing with the Green Bay Packers positioned him as a central figure on a new offensive line.
San Francisco 49ers Highlights
Banks spent his first four NFL seasons with the 49ers from 2021 through 2024. After a nine-game rookie campaign, he started 16 games in 2022 and 14 of 15 games in 2023. His most memorable moment with the team came in Super Bowl LVIII, where he was a starter against the Kansas City Chiefs. He finished his 49ers career having appeared in 13 games during the 2024 season before being placed on injured reserve in late December 2024.
Other Performances
At the college level, Banks earned consensus All-American and first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors in 2020, his senior season at Notre Dame. He started every game for the Fighting Irish that year, capping a college career that included 39 starts across his final three seasons. His prep career at El Cerrito High School also featured an NCS Division 3 football championship in 2013–14.
| Team | Years | Games Played | Games Started | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco 49ers | 2021–2024 | 53 | 44 | |
| Green Bay Packers | 2025–present | 15 | 13 | |
| Career Total | 2021–present | 68 | 57 |
Aaron Banks Family
Family Background and Roots
Aaron Banks was raised in Alameda, California, in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. He attended El Cerrito High School, where he built the foundation for his football career under several influential coaches, including Kenny Kahn, the late George Austin, and Michael Booker. His upbringing in Northern California helped shape his development as a top collegiate and professional prospect.
Personal Life
Banks is known primarily for his commitment to football and his close connection to his Bay Area roots. He has continued to share glimpses of his professional journey through social media. Beyond his career, he is recognized as part of a new generation of young offensive linemen shaping the modern NFL.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks Aaron Banks’ first year with the Green Bay Packers after signing a four-year, $77 million contract in March 2025. Joining a team intent on building a stronger offensive line, Banks was expected to step into a starting guard role and provide veteran leadership for younger teammates. His experience from four seasons with the 49ers, including a Super Bowl LVIII start, positioned him as a stabilizing force in Green Bay.
Through his early career totals, Banks had played in 68 games and started 57, demonstrating the kind of availability and consistency that franchises value in the trenches. As of 2025, his career NFL statistics reflected the steady production of a reliable interior lineman. The Packers invested heavily in him, signaling confidence that his best football remains ahead.
Looking ahead, Banks’ combination of size, technical polish, and postseason experience makes him a key piece of Green Bay’s long-term offensive plans. With his contract running through 2029, he is expected to remain a central figure on the Packers’ offensive line for years to come.
