Green Bay Packers: Two Surprise Cap Saving Cuts Before Week 1

Corey Linsley

Here’s why the Green Bay Packers could cut him:

Corey Linsley has been the Green Bay Packers’ center since 2014, and he has developed into one of the better centers in the game. He’s been very durable, playing in 100 percent of the Packers’ snaps in three of his six seasons, not to mention that his rapport with Aaron Rodges is on another level.

However, given what I’ve already mentioned about Green Bay’s upcoming free-agent class and their cap situation, I’d say the odds of Linsley getting a new deal in 2021 are slim. On top of that, the Packers can save $8.5 million in cap space by moving on from him.

If the Packers were to cut or trade Linsley, they do have a few options on the roster to take his spot this season. Lucas Patrick has been solid over his career when given the opportunity, rookie Jake Hanson started 49 games at center while at Oregon, where he dominated in pass-protection. I’d even throw Elgton Jenkins into the mix, as he played center at Mississippi State.

Admittedly, both Patrick and Hanson are going to be downgrades, at least this season. While moving Jenkins over creates another hole at guard to fill, although the Packers do have several players who could fill that role. What it comes down to is how confident Matt LaFleur and Gutey are in these other options and if saving $8.5 million in cap space justifies the possible downgrade at the position.

Here’s why the Green Bay Packers won’t cut him:

Yes, the NFC Championship Game ended poorly, but the Green Bay Packers were just one game away from the Super Bowl last season. And with there already being concerns about the right tackle and right guard positions, is shaking up the center and possibly left guard positions worth it?

While planning ahead is how the good NFL teams stay good, the Green Bay Packers are a better team with Linsley than without. In what has been an odd offseason with less practice time and no preseason games, continuity is going to play a more significant role this year than it has in year’s past. And with little roster turnover, the Packers have that.

So for a team on the cusp of making the Super Bowl a year ago, swapping out centers at the last minute doesn’t seem like the best decision from a pure football standpoint.