The Green Bay Packers knew their salary cap situation would be messy for the 2023 season when they traded Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets. He still counts for over $40 million against the cap, as they have more than $60 million in dead money.
That is the price of doing business in the fashion that the Packers have in recent years, attempting to build contenders around Rodgers. But, with him no longer in the picture, the franchise has reverted to their regular business approach.
It will take a little while for their books to be cleaned up, but Green Bay is well on the way to doing so. They will have some money to spend in the 2024 offseason, but as things currently stand, they are projected to be in the bottom half of the league, without the impending extension for Rashan Gary being signed yet.
Looking to create more cap space, the Packers will likely have to release some players, avoiding restructuring deals as that just kicks the can down the line. Who could be moved on from next offseason?
One player who will be on the chopping block, in the opinion of Freddie Boston from Lombardi Ave. on FanSided is guard Royce Newman. As the Packers have learned this season the hard way, the interior of their offensive line needs to be improved next offseason.
When replacing the injured Elgton Jenkins, Newman failed to play at an adequate level. Remodeling the interior of the line around Jenkins and the depth behind him is important this offseason.
The biggest name on the list is running back Aaron Jones. Jones took a pay cut to remain with the Packers for the 2023 season, but it is hard to envision him returning to Green Bay in 2024. He is the best player on their offense, but his age and contract will make it hard to retain him.
Turning 29 in December, the inevitable decline is on the horizon. His pass-catching skills should help hold that off a little longer than it would for a regular between-the-tackle running back, but the shelf life for players at the position isn’t very long. With a cap hit of $17.7 million next year, Jones will likely be a cap casualty.
Last but not least is left tackle David Bakhtiari. It seems like a formality that he will be released in 2024 as his knee just cannot hold up to the rigors of playing in the NFL. Had he been able to stay healthy, an extension would have certainly been in play. Alas, his inability to remain on the field will force the Packers to look elsewhere.
A cap hit of $40 million isn’t something that is feasible for a player who cannot stay on the field. Cutting him will save the team $21.5 million in cap space, a massive figure that will help them address needs all over the roster.
*All salary cap numbers courtesy of Over The Cap*
