Contracts Packers Must Consider Cutting in 2023 Offseason

The Green Bay Packers face a very daunting offseason. Green Bay fell short of the playoffs in 2022 and it may now look to move on from longtime starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

"League sources believe the franchise prefers to move on from Rodgers, just as it once did with Brett Favre," ESPN's Adam Schefter wrote on Sunday. "Those sources also believe that Rodgers is well aware of the Packers' feelings on the situation."

The problem with trading or releasing Rodgers is this: Green Bay is already set to be $17.4 million over the salary cap. Rodgers has $99.8 million in dead money left on his deal. Cutting Rodgers before June 1 would create an additional $68.2 million in cap deficit. Trading him before then would cost an extra $8.6 million in dead cap.

A post-June 1 trade would save the Packers $15.8 million against the 2023 cap, but would a team be willing to wait that long to finalize a trade? If the Packers want to maximize their quarterback's trade value, it would behoove them to move Rodgers sooner than later.

Even if Rodgers stays put for 2023, the Packers need to clear some cap room. With this in mind, let's examine three players the Packers must at least consider cutting before free agency begins on March 15.

Edge Preston Smith

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 25: Preston Smith #91 of the Green Bay Packers smiles in the tunnel after an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 25, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Let's be clear. None of the players listed here will be easy to move on from. The Packers have a very top-heavy roster and a lot of money invested into core pieces.

Pass-rusher Preston Smith, for example, is set to carry a cap hit of $13 million in 2023. He has $9.8 million in dead money on his contract, but Green Bay could save $10.6 million by releasing him with a post-June 1 designation.

If the Packers don't believe that they can simply reload and make another run at the Super Bowl in 2023—with or without Rodgers—this is a move that would make sense. Green Bay has a rising star in pass-rusher Rashan Gary, while Smith will turn 31 during the coming season.

While Smith had a solid 8.5 sacks and 27 quarterback pressures in 2022, he's never been a Pro Bowler, and his time in Green Bay may be approaching its end anyway. Cutting Smith and seeking a younger and cheaper complementary pass-rusher would be one way to improve Green Bay's dire cap situation.

RB Aaron Jones

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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: Aaron Jones #33 of the Green Bay Packers runs with the ball against the Detroit Lions in the first half at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Would the Packers really part with a running back who logged 1,121 rushing yards and 395 receiving yards in 2022? While it might seem unlikely, parting with Aaron Jones is a move Green Bay must at least consider.

Jones is set to carry a massive (for a running back) $20 million cap hit in 2023. Green Bay could save $16 million of that by releasing or trading Jones with a June 1 designation. That would provide a huge amount of cap relief.

While the 28-year-old ball carrier is unquestionably valuable to the Packers offense, his salary is simply too high for a team on the precipice of a likely rebuild. The Packers also have to consider that they have 24-year-old AJ Dillon in the backfield as well.

While Dillon hasn't been as prolific as Jones, he has the potential to be a very good starter. He logged 770 rushing yards, 206 receiving yards and seven touchdowns this season while splitting time with Jones.

Pairing Dillon with a complementary free agent or rookie draft pick should give Green Bay a quality rushing attack while potentially saving millions in much-needed cap space.

OT David Bakhtiari

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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: David Bakhtiari #69 of the Green Bay Packers takes the field prior to the game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Left tackle David Bakhtiari is among the NFL's best linemen when he's healthy. The problem is that the 31-year-old has struggled to stay on the field in recent seasons.

Bakhtiari suffered a torn ACL in 2020, missed almost all of 2021 and missed time in 2022 following an emergency appendectomy. He has not played a full season since his 2019 campaign.

Keeping Bakhtiari makes sense if Rodgers is committed to 2023 and beyond. However, with the quarterback's future uncertain, cutting Bakhtiari is something Green Bay must at least consider.

Bakhtiari is scheduled to carry a $28.8 million cap hit in 2023. The Packers could save $17.5 million of that by releasing him with a post-June 1 designation.

General manager Brian Gutekunst will likely approach Bakhtiari with a restructuring offer first, but moving on altogether may be a move the Packers ultimately have to make—an easier one to swallow if Rodgers' time in Green Bay is over.

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*Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference. Cap, contract and market information via Spotrac.