Edge rusher Justin Hollins’ contract details with Packers

There are three particular reasons why re-signing edge rusher Justin Hollins made sense for the Packers. Edge rusher depth is a big need. Hollins played well after joining Green Bay last season, and he comes with a low cap hit–a very important aspect for the Packers this offseason.

Hollins earned a one-year deal with Green Bay that will earn him up to $2.28 million in 2023, per Aaron Wilson. This includes a base salary of $1.08 million, a $155,000 signing bonus, a $45,000 workout bonus, and a $350,000 incentive for playing time.

This puts Hollins’ cap hit at just $1.28 million. This is also a contract that would be easy for the Packers to get out of if needed. If Hollins were to not make the 53-man roster out of training camp, the Packers would only be on the hook for the $155,000 signing bonus and would save $1.125 million in cap space.

Hollins was claimed off waivers by Green Bay last season after being cut by the L.A. Rams. From Weeks 12 to 18, he would rank 26th in pass rush win rate out of all eligible edge rushers and 27th in run-stop rate, according to PFF ($$).

As already alluded to, edge rusher depth was a big need for the Packers. Without Rashan Gary for the second half of 2022, Green Bay struggled to create consistent quarterback pressure. The addition of Hollins should not impact how the Packers approach this position in the draft, either. With a loaded edge rusher draft class, adding to this room early on should still be on Brian Gutekunst’s radar.

For the Packers, Over the Cap has them with $22.08 million in available cap space at the moment–although that does not account for re-signing Eric Wilson. Green Bay has the sixth most salary cap space at the moment, but as evident by how free agency has gone for them, they lack spending power.

Of the eight signings that they’ve made over the last two weeks, Keisean Nixon has the largest cap hit of the group at $2.77 million.

Once the trade for Aaron Rodgers is official, the Packers’ salary cap will drop by a minimum of $8.7 million due to added dead cap from his contract. If Green Bay has to take on any of Rodgers’ $59.5 million guaranteed salary as part of the trade, that will further reduce what they have to spend.

Then there are regular operating costs that will zap additional cap space as well. These future expenses include signing the draft class and practice squad, along with contracts for the 52nd and 53rd players on the roster and reserves for in-season spending so Green Bay can add players.

Positions that the Packers still have to add to, whether that be through free agency or in the draft, include receiver, edge rusher, safety, tight end, interior defensive lineman, and a backup quarterback for Jordan Love.

However, when it comes to free agency, don’t expect any splash signings. The biggest improvements for the Packers in 2023 are going to have to come internally from players entering Years 2 and 3 making big jumps or through the draft.