Latest Salary Cap Breakdown for the Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers are set to face a challenging offseason of difficult decisions that will determine the direction of the franchise. The Packers cap situation will play a big role in how the Packers deal with certain players and their contracts. 

Also, the Packers are coming up on much-needed extensions for Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews and B.J. Raji. Those contracts will likely cost the Packers an incredible amount of money, and they will have to get creative in regards to how they will spend the rest of their cap space this offseason. 

Overall, though, the Packers enter the offseason in decent financial shape for next season. That said, the Packers need to start preparing for the next few seasons. 

Here is a look at those who are under contract on the Green Bay Packers roster for 2013, position-by-position, along with their projected cap numbers.

(All cap figures are courtesy of www.spotrac.com)

Quarterbacks

Aaron Rodgers: $9,750,000

Graham Harrell: $630,000

Total: $10,380,000

Aaron Rodgers is severely underpaid, and with two years left on his deal, the Packers have to be thinking about spending the big bucks on their franchise quarterback. Joe Flacco's situation with the Baltimore Ravens is something to watch for both Rodgers and the Packers this offseason. As the best quarterback in the game, Rodgers' salary shouldn't be so low and it will certainly go up. 

The Packers have B.J. Coleman on the practice squad, but neither Coleman nor Harrell have done much to show that they deserve backup spots. The Packers could look to use the draft in order to bring a quarterback that is better suited to serve as Rodgers' backup. 

Running Backs

John Kuhn: $2,543,750

Alex Green: $691,250 

James Starks: $655,075

DuJuan Harris: $555,000

Brandon Saine: $555,000

Total: $5,000,075

The Packers don't have very much money committed to the running back position, but they got a lot of production down the stretch from DuJuan Harris last season. The young, emerging running back should be featured more in 2013, but the Packers could still look to upgrade the position via free agency. 

Cedric Benson's contract is up, and he likely won't be back in Green Bay. The best free agent options at this point are Reggie Bush or Ahmad Bradshaw, but it's unlikely that the Packers will sign either player. The more likely scenario is that the Packers will draft a running back to compliment what they already have in place. 

Wide Receivers

Jordy Nelson: $3,975,000

James Jones: $3,750,000

Randall Cobb: $875,297

Jarrett Boykin: $480,000

Jeremy Ross: $480,000

Total: $9,500,297

The Packers will see a changing of the guard at the wide receiver position in 2013. Donald Driver is gone after he announced his retirement, and Greg Jennings will likely leave as a free agent this offseason.

Jennings' and Driver's respective contracts coming off the books leaves the Packers in good shape in terms of finances at the position, though, and they still have a lot of young talent to add to their talented and experienced trio of Nelson, Cobb and Jones. 

That said, the Packers have shown a desire to surround Aaron Rodgers with incredible talent. Without one of his favorite targets (Jennings) next season, the Packers could look to give Rodgers a younger and less expensive weapon to go along with the solid receiving corps that the Packers already possess. 

Tight Ends

Jermichael Finley: $8,750,000

Andrew Quarless: $1,368,606

D.J. Williams: $604,500

Ryan Taylor: $569,794

Total: $11,292,900

The Packers tight end situation rests on the future of Finley as well as the health of Quarless' knee. According the the Milwaukeee Journal Sentinel, Finley believes that there is only a "50/50" chance that he will be back in Green Bay next season. His departure would leave the Packers with two unproven tight ends and an injury-riddled Quarless, who hasn't played in a game since Dec. 4, 2011. 

Even if they keep Finley, he will be in the last year of his contract in 2013, so the Packers would be wise to draft another tight end in April. How strongly the Packers pursue a tight end this offseason will largely depend on their plans for Finley, both this season and into the future. 

Offensive Line

Josh Sitton: $5,550,000

T.J. Lang: $3,100,000

Bryan Bulaga: $2,125,500

Derek Sherrod:  $1,800,546

Marshall Newhouse: $1,360,462

Brett Goode: $821,250

Don Barclay: $480,833

Greg Van Roten: $480,000

Kevin Hughes: $480,000

Jordan Miller: $480,000

Total: $16,678,591

The Packers have some needs along the offensive line. They weren't physical enough as a team, and, too often, they got beat in the trenches. They did a much better job down the stretch of the 2012 season, though, when Evan Dietrich-Smith took over at center. The restricted free agent will likely be re-signed by the Packers. 

The biggest question mark for the Packers offensive line is at left tackle. While Bulaga should comeback from a hip injury and hold down the right tackle spot well, Newhouse hasn't proven that he can be significant player for the Packers on the other side. Furthermore, it's unknown where Sherrod—the team's first-round pick in 2011—is in terms of his rehab from a broken leg that he suffered during his rookie season.

There's definitely room for the Packers to improve or add depth along the offensive line this offseason, whether it be through the draft or free agency. 

Defensive Line

Ryan Pickett: $6,700,000

B.J. Raji: $6,595,000

Mike Neal: $920,000

Jerel Worthy: $897,319

C.J. Wilson: $642,590

Mike Daniels:  $555,146

Total: $16,310,055

The Packers need to improve along the defensive line, despite having a ton of money already tied up to the unit. This issue should become even more problematic for the Packers next year, as B.J. Raji is set to get a sizable extension after the 2013 season. Pickett's contract also ends after next season, but given his age, his price should come down and the team should be able to bring him back for 2014. 

Still, the Packers need to get production outside of Pickett and Raji. Also, if Worthy is set to be out for a portion of the 2013 season with his ACL injury, the Packers need to bring in some reinforcements. Daniels, Wilson and Neal haven't gotten it done, either, and they need to improve in order to secure their roster spots. 

Linebackers

A.J. Hawk: $7,050,000

Clay Matthews: $4,910,000

Desmond Bishop: $4,764,000

Nick Perry: $1,704,375

D.J. Smith: $555,000

Jamari Lattimore:  $556,667

Terrell Manning: $522,870

Dezman Moses: $481,166

Total: $20,544,078

The Packers have more money tied to the linebacker position than any other position on the roster, but that makes sense for a 3-4 defense that relies so much on their linebackers to make plays. Unfortunately, the Packers haven't received enough impact plays from the linebacker position in recent years, and that could signal changes for the unit this offseason. For example, Hawk doesn't deserve to be paid over $7 million in any given year, and he could be a roster cut before the 2013 campaign begins.

The Packers have gotten strong play from Bishop and Smith in the middle of their defense, and free agent Brad Jones will likely be brought back for depth at the position. With regard to the outside linebacker position, the Packers are in good shape, despite Matthews needing an extension very soon. Moses provides great value for the Packers, demonstrated by his strong play in place of the injured Nick Perry last season.

Defensive Backs

Charles Woodson: $9,437,500

Tramon Williams: $8,500,000

Jarrett Bush: $1,783,333

Morgan Burnett: $1,541,775

Casey Hayward: $752,201

Davon House: $630,145

M.D. Jennings:  $555,833

Jerron McMillan: $555,146

Sean Richardson: $481,667

Total: $24,237,600

Between the safeties and the cornerbacks, the Packers have a good amount of money tied up to these two respective positions. They do have young cornerbacks that are giving the Packers great value with their inexpensive contracts, but the hefty contracts of Woodson and Williams don't seem to be worth it at this point. 

Woodson, with a 2013 cap hit over $9 million, shouldn't be back with the team unless he takes a significant pay cut. His $9 million salary could be better spent elsewhere. Williams is another player that could be expendable because of his high price tag. The Packers will likely look for depth at cornerback in the draft. 

Special Teams

Mason Crosby: $3,150,000

Tim Masthay: $1,105,000

Total: $4,255,000

The Packers have a lot of money committed to Mason Crosby. Factoring in his struggles down the stretch, the Packers should bring in competition for training camp. If the Packers can find another kicker that is successful in camp, they could save a lot of money by cutting Crosby. 

Masthay's contract is deserved as he's becoming one of the top punters in the league. He's gotten better each year and continues to deliver for the Packers. 

Summary

Quarterbacks: $10,380,000

Running backs: $5,000,075

Wide Receivers: $9,500,297

Tight Ends: $11,292,900

Offensive Line: $16,678,591

Defensive Line: $16,310,055

Linebackers: $20,544,078

Defensive Backs: $24,237,600

Special Teams: $4,255,000

Total: $118,198,596