How Packers Made Space for $62 Million QB Debacle, Chipping Away at Other Players

The NFL draft comes packed with surprises and unexpected plot twists. Green Bay Packers recently restructured players’ contracts to deliver more flexibility in the short run made one. In the aftermath of the most-demanding quarterback, Aaron Rodgers? departure, the team has been looking for ways to free up cap space and shore up its roster. To deal with their predicament, the team did what they have been doing for three off-seasons.

Like in the 2020 offseason, they restructured their offensive tackle, David Bakhtiari?s deal, for the second time. They converted portions of his roster bonus and base salary into a signing bonus to save another $9.264 million. This time as well, they are reconstructing the contracts of its players to create oodles of cap space and sign key free agents or even extend the contracts of the existing players. According to Over The Cap, Packers have roughly $24 million in salary cap space.

Alexander, Smith, Clarke, and Savage all are under the same roof

As per SI, Brian Gutekunst, General Manager of the Green Team, earlier said during his season-ending news conference that he would ?probably restructure everybody? to create salary cap space. With running back Aaron Jones, Packers freed up around $11 million (from $16 million) in salary cap space. He also took a pay shave before agreeing to the new contract.

Read more: ?This Year Seems More Real?: Packers Teammate Drops a Dime on Aaron Rodgers? Future at Lambeau Field

On the other hand, cornerback Jaire Alexander and outside linebacker Preston Smith?s contracts were also restructured by $9.456 million and $6.668 million, respectively. Alexander was due to receive an $11.45 million roster bonus and a $1.45 million base salary under the prior salary limit, but they were reduced to the minimum and converted into a signing bonus that will be paid out over the following five years. Likewise, Smith was going to get a $7.5 million roster bonus, which converted into a signing bonus and will disburse over the next five years.

With defensive tackle Kenny Clarke, $11.068 million of cap space was created. Clarke was due to receive $13 million, but they converted it into a signing bonus by reducing his base salary and roster bonus. The Packers have created a room in cap space by offering $5.5 million to safety Darnell Savage. He was a first-round pick in 2019 and was about to receive $7.9 million. Packers reduced his base salary by converting it into a signing bonus and adding four void years to the deal.

Packers? QB with one-year extension deal

After Aaron Rodgers? exit, all eyes are on the new QB of the team, Jordan Love. He will have one year to prove himself as the future of the Packers? quarterback. The fifth-year option of his rookie contract would have given him a fixed amount of $20.272 million, but this one-year extension has left him with $22.5 million, including a $13.5 million fixed amount.

Earlier via ESPN, when asked about this reason, Gutekunst replied, ?It?s a lot of money for a guy who hasn?t played, but at the same time obviously we?re moving forward with him.? This statement clearly shows that Love needs to fill some big shoes after his predecessor, Rodgers.

Watch the story:?“Welcome to mediocrity”: Richard Sherman has Strong Feelings Towards Jordan Love Being Branded as Aaron Rodgers’ Successor

The Packers are facing another off-season challenge as they attempt to rebuild their roster following Aaron Rodgers? exit. However, with a proven track record of smart cap management, they will continue to compete in this storm too.