GREEN BAY PACKERS FACE CAP ISSUES AS ALL-PRO AND STARTER BECOME FREE AGENTS
The Green Bay Packers are facing a major financial setback as they head into the offseason. On February 19, it was reported by ESPN’s Rob Demovsky that the team failed to reach contract extensions with safety Darnell Savage, offensive lineman Yosh Nijman, and cornerback Keisean Nixon. This means that all three players will become free agents in March.
The Packers will now have to deal with a significant amount of dead money on their 2024 salary cap. The contracts of Savage, Nijman, and Nixon have all voided, resulting in a total of $9.48 million in dead money. This is a substantial hit for the team and will impact their ability to make other moves in the offseason.
The loss of Savage and Nixon will also have a significant impact on the Packers’ secondary. Both players have been key contributors to the team’s defense, with Savage starting in the majority of games he has played and Nixon earning first-team All-Pro honors for his special teams work. Their absence will leave a void in the defensive lineup that the team will need to address.
However, the financial implications of these voided contracts are perhaps the most concerning issue for the Packers. As of now, the team is already $5.2 million over the projected 2024 salary cap. This means that they will have to make significant adjustments to their roster in order to get under the cap.
The situation becomes even more dire when considering the team’s upcoming draft class. Once the Packers sign their projected 11-player draft class, they will be nearly $9.8 million over the salary cap. This leaves very little room for the team to re-sign their own free agents or make any significant additions in free agency.
The Packers will have to carefully navigate their financial situation in the coming months in order to field a competitive team for the upcoming season. It remains to be seen how they will address their cap issues and fill the void left by the departing players.
PACKERS FACE TOUGH DECISIONS TO FREE UP CAP SPACE
In a bid to clear significant cap space, the Green Bay Packers are faced with the difficult task of parting ways with key players. Left tackle David Bakhtiari, a standout talent when healthy, is the most likely candidate for departure. However, his persistent knee issues have limited him to just 13 games over the past three seasons. With a cap hit of nearly $40 million in 2024, the Packers could save almost $21 million by cutting or trading him during the offseason. Although no official decision has been made, it seems inevitable that Bakhtiari’s time with the team is coming to an end.
To alleviate the financial burden, the Packers have other options at their disposal. According to Huber, a contract extension for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and a restructure of cornerback Jaire Alexander’s roster bonus could help offset the impact of high cap charges. Additionally, running back Aaron Jones, who currently holds the fourth-highest cap charge on the team, may be open to taking a pay cut in exchange for more guaranteed money. With a base salary of $11.1 million, a similar arrangement to last year’s could be on the table for the 29-year-old.
As the Packers navigate their financial constraints, tough decisions lie ahead. While Bakhtiari’s departure seems imminent, the team must carefully consider their options to ensure a balanced roster for the upcoming season. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
Max Dible, Sports Reporter for the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, and Golden State Warriors.
According to the Source heavy.com