18 Salary Cap Moves & Projected Savings for Green Bay Packers

I’ve already mentioned the details behind an extension when discussing Rodgers’ situation–so I won’t go over that again. However, it’s important to note that we don’t have the details of what these extensions could look like in terms of new money and years added on, which are obviously the two key factors.

So keep that in mind, but these figures do help us get an idea of the potential savings.

Green Bay Packers Extend Preston Smith

Projected Cap Savings: $8.7 million

For Smith, he looked like a cut candidate this time a season ago, but he finished the regular season tied for the 10th most pressures in football, along with 9.0 sacks, and he was also much better against the run as well. Not to mention that Smith would rank 13th in PFF’s pass-rush productivity metric.

It’s also important to note that if Green Bay did move on from both Smiths, as good as Rashan Gary was, there would be a massive hole in the edge rusher room–Gary simply can’t do it all on his own.

Green Bay Packers Extend Jaire Alexander

Projected Cap Savings: $9.8 million

While several of the moves that we are discussing may not happen, this is one that you can count on. Jaire Alexander is currently playing the 2022 season on a fifth-year option, which was picked up by the Green Bay Packers last Spring, and it essentially operates like a one-year deal—meaning that Alexander has a $13.2 million cap hit for this season.

For two reasons, Alexander won’t be playing this season on that deal. One is that Green Bay can’t afford that kind of cap hit. And two, an extension keeps him with the Packers for the foreseeable future–which, of course, is a good thing. Although Alexander missed most of 2021, he has developed into one of the premier cornerbacks in the game.

Green Bay Packers Extend Adrian Amos

Projected Cap Savings: $5.1 million

To be honest, I’m not sure what the Green Bay Packers do with Adrian Amos, but I see this as the most likely option. With a cap hit of $11.98 million this season, it’s hard to envision him returning on his current deal, given how tight the Packers salary cap situation is.

I also don’t see him being cut for $4.65 million in cap savings being a viable option either, especially considering how good he has been and that the safety room is lacking some real depth. At 29-years-old, and as one of the game’s most reliable safeties, both in coverage and as a tackler, an extension makes the most sense to me.

Green Bay Packers Extend Billy Turner

Projected Cap Savings: $3.77 million

Aaron Rodgers would call Billy Turner a Pro Bowler as well as the unsung hero along the offensive line this past season. However, I really don’t see him as an extension candidate–if anything, I could see him being cut (more on that in a moment).

But I felt that I should include Turner given, that the Green Bay Packers will often make moves that very few see coming and that he has been a reliable presence at right tackle for the past two seasons. Turner also has a good relationship with Rodgers, which as we’ve seen, does matter.

Green Bay Packers Extend Dean Lowry

Projected Cap Savings: $3.6 million

I have no idea what is going to happen with Dean Lowry. Does he play out his current deal? Does Green Bay add a few years on? Or do they cut him?

Lowry is coming off his most productive season as a pro, where he totaled 42 pressures and six sacks. In addition to those numbers, there is also the dirty work that Lowry does regularly, such as occupying space, taking on double-teams, and creating for his teammates. If Green Bay chooses to move on from Lowry, they have very little experienced depth around Clark on the roster.