Dairyland Express
Fansided

Another contract restructure, Packers rework De’Vondre Campbell’s deal

By Paul Bretl

LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 23: De'Vondre Campbell #59 of the Green Bay Packers lines up against the Washington Commanders during the first half of the game at FedExField on October 23, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 23: De'Vondre Campbell #59 of the Green Bay Packers lines up against the Washington Commanders during the first half of the game at FedExField on October 23, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

“We’ll probably restructure everybody,” said Green Bay Packers GM Brian Gutekunst back in January, and so far, that’s largely what’s taken place.

So far we’ve seen the Packers rework deals for Aaron Jones, Preston Smith, Kenny Clark, Jaire Alexander, and David Bakhtiari, creating over $45 million in cap space for 2023.

The latest contract restructure, according to Field Yates, was for linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, who was due a roster bonus on March 17th worth $3 million. Green Bay would convert that entire roster bonus plus $285,000 of Campbell’s base salary to a signing bonus – which in that form can be spread out over the life of the contract – resulting in an additional $2.628 million in available cap room for the Packers.

Following an All-Pro season in 2021, Campbell signed a five-year $50 million deal with the Packers. Last season, he recorded 98 tackles, four quarterback pressures, and 27 stops per PFF. In coverage, he had two interceptions and a pass breakup.

The short-term benefit of this move is that cap space is created in 2023. However, to do so, cap charges were pushed to future years, increasing Campbell’s cap hit in 2024 and beyond.

A rough estimate of where Green Bay currently stands is around the $24 million mark, with this restructure and the re-signing of Keisean Nixon not officially accounted for yet.

The tricky part with the Packers’ salary cap situation is that it could change drastically if – or when – Aaron Rodgers is traded, reducing their available cap space by roughly $9 million, if not more if they have to take on any of his $59.5 million guaranteed salary. There are also upcoming expenses not accounted for in that $24 million figure, which includes any free agent signings, the draft class, and the practice squad, along with having available cap space for the season.

In short, once again, Green Bay will be limited in free agency.

Rasul Douglas and Pat O’Donnell both have roster bonuses due on the 17th as well and are restructure candidates, as is Jon Runyan. Extending Rashan Gary would also clear cap space, but the Packers are out of significant moves.

Home/Green Bay Packers