Green Bay Packers: NFL Analysts Boldly Predict That After the Season, Two All-Pros and Two Pro Bowl Players…
In the NFL Playoffs, the Green Bay Packers are one of only four NFC teams still standing. Their incredible regular season concluded with a 9-8 record and the seventh seed—it was the first with quarterback Jordan Love at the helm. This past Sunday, they overcame the Dallas Cowboys 48-32 to become the first seventh seed in NFL history to win a playoff game.
Packers Updates
In fact, the “rebuild” that took place after the Packers let veterans like Adrian Amos, Marcedes Lewis, Mason Crosby, Allen Lazard, and Aaron Rodgers walk free agency has gone much more smoothly than anticipated. The youthful Packers have matured quickly despite being the NFL’s youngest team, especially in the second half of the regular season.
Green Bay finished 7-3 in their last 10 games after beginning the season 2-5, winning three in a row to secure the final playoff place. Though their season isn’t yet done, a lot of people are eagerly anticipating the summer and what the Packers can do to improve even further in 2024.
There won’t be much roster change since so many guys are still on rookie contracts. Having said that, three important veterans—including two previous First Team All-Pros—will have significant cap hits next season, according to one NFL expert.
What Will the Pay Cap Be for the Green Bay Packers in 2024?
General manager of the Green Bay Packers Brian Gutekunst discusses the Rasul Douglas transaction with the media on April 25, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, after the quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ trade to the New York Jets. Sk26; Gutekunstpresser 042623
One important factor that will make the 2024 Packers salary cap noteworthy is that Aaron Rodgers will not be receiving any dead money. Following the four-time NFL MVP’s trade this past summer, Green Bay would be relieved of his huge contract, but would still incur a $40 million cap hit in 2023.
As things stand, the Packers will, for the first time in a long time, start the 2024 offseason “in the black.” Stated differently, the Packers have room in the salary cap for the next campaign. In order to stay under the cap at the beginning of the next league year, Brian Gutekunst and Russ Ball have had to reorganise contracts and make player cuts in previous years.
As to Spotrac, the Packers have set aside $237.6 million for contracts in 2024. This does not include the $5.6 million dead cap they will carry over from different contracts that have void years added to them. For the next season, Green Bay now has around $7.9 million in cap space available.
They will need more, of course. They will definitely sign free agents, including Jordan Love, and sign their class of 2024 NFL Draft picks.
Bleacher Report predicts the Packers will let go of three important players: David Bakhtiari, Kenny Clark, and De’Vondre Campbell in order to make room.
David Bakhtiari, left tackle for the Green Bay Packers David Bakhtiari, offensive lineman for the Green Bay Packers On Sunday, September 10, 2023, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, during the fourth quarter of their regular season opener, David Bakhtiari (69) blocks Chicago Bears defensive end Rasheem Green (94). The Green Bay Packers triumphed 38-20 against the Chicago Bears.
Over the last three seasons, is there a player who has had worse injury luck than David Bakhtiari? The two-time First Team All-Pro left tackle has definitely been through a lot, from breaking his ACL during non-contact exercises in practice to a difficult rehabilitation that needed three surgeries to playing only one game in 2023 before requiring further surgery.
In 2024, the last year of his deal, he also bears the largest cap hit. In other words, cutting him would save the Packers around $21 million. The article from Bleacher Report says:
In all honesty, Green Bay cannot rely on Bakhtiari to be a part of its future. His contract is about to expire, and his release would free up an incredible $21 million in cap space.
That being said, there is a little catch. In the event that the Packers cut Bakhtiari due to his ailments, he may file an injury grievance with the NFL. The league prohibits cutting a player for no other reason than injury. Should Bakhtiari bring such a claim and prevail in court, the Packers would be required to pay Bakhtiari his whole $40 million compensation for the next season. Green Bay would be required to pay the whole $40 million cap hit on their cap until the matter was settled, even in the event that Bakhtiari lost.
In any case, Bakhtiari has said that the current intention is for him to rejoin the Packers for the next campaign. Naturally, things might change, but as of right now, the only certainty is that he’ll return for the next season. If he is, it most definitely won’t be for the forty million dollars that he owes.
After a settlement between himself and the Packers, he very well may return on a reworked contract with a tonne of vacant years, or he could wind up a cap casualty. In any case, by 2024, his cap number will most likely decrease.
Kenny Clark
It’s a little shocking that Bleacher Report listed Kenny Clark as the second-most probable cap casualty. The two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman hasn’t missed a game in three complete seasons, and this season he had a career-high 7.5 sacks.
Clark has the advantage of leadership in addition to being 29 years old the next season. Put differently, he has not yet run out of gas and has just had his best-ever season. Still, according to Bleacher Report:
Additionally, Clark is approaching the last year of his deal and will have a hefty cap charge. Though it may be preferable for Green Bay to retain him under another restructured contract, releasing him with a post-June 1 designation would free about $17 million off the cap.
Bleacher Report points out that a post-June 1 designation has the drawback of hitting the limit at $10.5 million in 2024 and $13.8 million in 2025.
Rather of just releasing Clark, it would make considerably more sense for the Packers to offer him another contract extension, therefore lowering his $27.5 million salary number for the next season. Clark is the finest player on their defence, despite the fact that they have made significant draft capital investments in that group.
For the next three to four years at minimum, he ought to be wearing a Packers uniform.
De’Vondre Campbell
Joe Barry, De’Vondre Campbell, and the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers linebacker De’Vondre Campbell (59) tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) after he catches a pass during the second quarter at Lambeau Field on December 17, 2023, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA. Required Credit: USA TODAY Sports/Jeff Hanisch
This is another instance when De’Vondre Campbell’s name makes little to no sense. The Packers would save less than $3 million in salary space if they release him before June 1. Although cutting him with a post-June 1 designation would carry more dead cap space in subsequent seasons, it would clear up over $10 million in 2024.
Nonetheless, Bleacher Report provides the following justification for Campbell’s naming:
“After joining Green Bay in 2021, Campbell had his worst statistical season just finished. Although he still has three years left on his deal, the Packers may decide it’s time to find a more trustworthy and maybe less expensive successor.
Despite his struggles with injuries this season, Campbell is unquestionably a far greater asset to the defence when he is on the field. Quay Walker and Campbell combine to become one of the NFL’s top tackling tandems.
There are still three years on Campbell’s deal. The Packers are more likely to hold onto him for the next campaign, giving him an opportunity to play a completely healthy season before deciding to cut him early.
For More Outstanding Wisconsin Sports Content, Make Sure to Follow Us @WiSportsHeroics and Me @theotherRobin19 on Twitter. Click here to read more of our stories and stay up to speed on Wisconsin sports news!
Schedule An Athlete Visit MSM 2023 CTA
Sports Marketing at Mayfield
To arrange for Green Bay Packers players or alumni to make a business appearance or promote a product, contact Mayfield Sports Marketing at 262-366-8188. Our booking representatives will negotiate the best pricing for your preferred sports speaker on your behalf. Top sportsmen are known to be reserved for speaking engagements at trade exhibitions and events by Mayfield Sports Marketing. Please give us a call right now to find out more about the appearance fees and booking costs for Packers players or alumni. Mayfield Sports, Inc.Radtke Athletics
Radtke Sports Wisconsin Sports Heroics is pleased to provide signed artefacts in partnership with Radtke Sports. Visit www.RadtkeSports.com to get guaranteed authentic collectibles and memorabilia including Brett Favre, Rob Gronkowski, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and MORE. Signed jerseys, pictures, and more USE the coupon code WSH to get FREE SHIPPING on your order. There could be some limitations.
Leave a Reply