Green Bay Packers: Daniels’ release means contract extensions for others

While shocking, the release of Mike Daniels likely means that the Green Bay Packers are planning to give contract extensions to other key players already on the roster.

On the Eve of Green Bay Packers’ Training Camp beginning, a bomb was dropped that caught just about everyone off guard. The Packers were releasing veteran defensive lineman, Mike Daniels.

While there were likely a number of reasons for this move, perhaps the biggest factor was money. Entering the final year of his contract, Daniels was going to account for $10.7 million against the cap according to Spotrac.

However with cutting him, Green Bay will take a dead cap hit of just $2.4 million, thus resulting in savings of about $8.3 million that they can roll over to the 2020 offseason if they choose.

While in theory this extra cap space could go towards a current free agent that could help the Packers in 2019 – given that they have about $13.6 million in cap space available entering the 2020 offseason prior to cutting Daniels – this additional money will likely go towards extending a current key player already on the roster instead.

The four most likely candidates would be Geronimo Allison, Kyler Fackrell, Blake Martinez, and Kenny Clark. But even from this grouping, we can narrow it down to just two.

Prior to his injuries last season, Allison was leading the team in receiving yards through four weeks and has built a rapport with quarterback Aaron Rodgers over the years. With that said, 2019 will be a big season for him in proving that he is worth a multi-year deal and I don’t see the Packers giving him that type of contract prior to 2020.

Then we have Kyler Fackrell who had a breakout season last year with 10.5 sacks. But with the offseason additions of Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, and Rashan Gary, he could see his role reduced and likely won’t be offered a new contract until the upcoming offseason, if at all.

I see it as a very real possibility that both Allison and Fackrell could be back next season, but I also do not think that Green Bay will give them new contracts without first seeing how the 2019 season plays out for each player.

Now we get to Clark and Martinez, where giving out a contract extension to either player prior to them becoming free agents could benefit the Packers quite a bit.

Martinez is set to become an unrestricted free agent during the 2020 offseason and in recent seasons has proven to be one of the most reliable players on this Green Bay Packers defense.

Over the last two seasons, Martinez has started in all 32 games and has recorded an interception with 11 pass deflections while also making a whopping 185 solo tackles and assisting on another 101.

As evidenced above we know what a solid tackler Martinez is and what he brings to this Packers’ run defense. However, while his coverage ability is often disregarded, according to Pro Football Focus he performed very well in 2018 with an overall grade of 82.6.

Martinez future contract could fall in the $8 – $10 million range in line with players such as Bobby Wagner and Eric Kendricks. Given Martinez’ reliability and that he is the quarterback of this defense, as well as the Packers lack of depth at inside linebacker,  locking him down before he hits the open market should be on their radar.

As for Clark, he isn’t set to become an unrestricted free agent until 2021, but Green Bay should lock him up sooner rather than later.

For one, he is already one of the top defensive tackles in all of football. Last season in only 13 games, Clark would total six sacks along with 46 total pressures and an additional 35 solo tackles.

Clark plays an integral part within this Mike Pettine defense. In addition to making plays on his own, he is oftentimes double-teamed which allows other defensive linemen or blitzers a free run at the quarterback.

We just saw Grady Jarrett of the Atlanta Falcons land a four year – $68 million deal with an $18 million signing bonus and $38 million guaranteed. If the Green Bay Packers were to extend Clark at some point this season, his contract could look very similar. And if we fast forward to 2021, that contract listed above will look like an absolute steal for what Clark brings to this team.

While it is always sad to see a player like Mike Daniels be released so close to the start of the new season, GM Brian Gutekunst and the Green Bay Packers have a long-term plan in mind. And my guess is that the extra money that they have freed up will go towards keeping Kenny Clark and/or Blake Martinez around past their current contracts.