Contracts Packers Must Consider Cutting in 2024 Offseason
The Green Bay Packers defied all but their own expectations in 2023. Despite fielding the NFL's youngest roster and a new starting quarterback in Jordan Love, Green Bay made it all the way to the divisional round of the playoffs.
Now, Green Bay has a chance to build on a budding foundation and emerge as a Super Bowl threat in 2024.
The challenge, of course, will be dramatically improving a roster with just $4.8 million in projected cap space. Finding extra room won't be easy, largely because the Packers aren't saddled with many pricey veteran contracts.
However, Green Bay will have a few options. Below, we'll examine three contracts the Packers must consider cutting in the upcoming offseason.
OT David Bakhtiari
1 of 3
Longtime starting tackle David Bakhtiari is the most obvious cut candidate for the Packers this offseason. In fact, it would be a relatively significant surprise to see the 32-year-old return.
A four-time Pro Bowler, Bakhtiari has provided a steady presence when healthy. However, he's struggled to be that in recent years. A series of knee issues and surgeries limited him to just 13 games over the past three seasons.
On top of that, Bakhtiari has far more experience protecting former quarterback Aaron Rodgers than Love. He's also set to carry a massive $40 million cap hit.
There's essentially no way that Bakhtiari returns on his current contract. A restructuring could make sense, but his release is more likely. Cutting the final year of Bakhtiari's deal would save $21 million in cap space.
With general manager Brian Gutekunst building a young foundation in Green Bay, the Packers will likely look to more youthful options—including those in April's draft—to find their next long-term anchor at left tackle.
DL Kenny Clark
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Choosing to move on from defensive lineman Kenny Clark wouldn't be a decision that comes as easily. Clark has been a mainstay of Green Bay's defensive front since 2016, and he's been far more durable than Bakhtiari in recent seasons.
The 28-year-old started all 34 games over the past two seasons and was a Pro Bowler in 2021. He finished his 2023 campaign with an impressive 44 tackles, 7.5 sacks and 25 quarterback pressures.
Clark is still very much in his playing prime and provides value as both a producer and as a veteran defensive leader. However, he's also set to carry a cap hit of $27.5 million.
The Packers restructured Clark's contract last offseason, which leaves the final year of his deal with an interesting dynamic. Releasing him with a post-June 1 designation would trigger dead-cap hits of $10.5 million and $13.8 million in 2024 and 2025, respectively. However, Clark is already set to carry a cap hit of $13.8 million in 2025, when he'll also be a free agent.
Releasing Clark a year early with the post-June 1 designation would save $17 million in cap space this year.
LB De'Vondre Campbell
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The Packers extended linebacker De'Vondre Campbell with a five-year deal in 2022. Cutting ties only two years in would be tough to swallow, but it's fair to question whether he's still worth keeping at his current price point.
Campbell was limited to 11 games in 2023 by neck and ankle injuries. While he was fairly productive when healthy—he logged 75 tackles and 46 solo stops—Campbell was also a bit of a liability in pass coverage.
The 30-year-old allowed an opposing passer rating of 111.2 this past season.
Campbell is set to carry a cap hit of $14.2 million. Releasing him outright would only save $2.6 million in cap space while triggering a dead-cap hit of $11.6 million. However, cutting him with a post-June 1 designation would clear $10.6 million in 2024 salary space.
As is the case with Clark, Gutekunst will have to weigh Campbell's value as a veteran leader against a sizeable amount of cap savings. Green Bay may ultimately favor the added financial flexibility.
*Cap and contract information via Spotrac. Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference.
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