Adams Trade Gives Packers Cap Space to Sign Rasul Douglas
By Paul Bretl
The Green Bay Packers spent the last two weeks or so making several moves just to barely navigate their way under the salary cap by Wednesday’s deadline.
However, once the Davante Adams trade becomes official, his $20.1 million franchise tag will be off the books, and the Green Bay Packers will have that much-needed additional cap space available.
According to Dianna Russini of ESPN, the Packers first move with that newfound cap space is going to be re-signing Rasul Douglas.
Douglas had other offers on the table this past week, but Russini would add that he has been waiting on a deal with the Packers. But in order for the deal to take place, it was predicated on Adams being traded. Without that element, Green Bay simply wouldn’t have had the cap space to re-sign Douglas.
Although the Packers have Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes under contract, cornerback was a sneaky-big need this offseason. In addition to those two, there were only three other cornerbacks on the roster — Shemar Jean-Charles, Kabion Ento, and Kiondre Thomas — and combined, the three have just 38 career snaps.
But with Douglas back in the mix, the Green Bay Packers have arguably the best trio in football. After joining the team about six weeks into the 2021 season, Douglas quickly became a starter and showcased his playmaking abilities.
Over the course of the season, Douglas would allow just 34 completions on 66 targets and only 10.6 yards per catch. He recorded five interceptions, including a pair of pick-sixes, and seven pass breakups, according to PFF ($$). I think it’s safe to say that without the addition of Douglas, Green Bay does not win 13 games.
Again, it’s important to keep in mind that nothing is official at this time, and we don’t know what his contract will look like. But to get an idea, Spotrac projected earlier this offseason that Douglas would land a four-year deal worth $36.9 million–or $9.2 million per year.
Following an impressive defensive performance in their playoff loss to San Francisco, it is looking like the Green Bay Packers are going to be able to keep that core of plays intact for 2022.
UPDATE: According to Adam Schefter, the Green Bay Packers are signing Douglas to a three-year deal worth $21 million and he can earn up to $25.5 million.