The Green Bay Packers suffered a bitter ending to their 2021 season when they lost to the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field during the Divisional Weekend.
With that disappointing finish behind them, they look to remain competitive at least for the 2022 NFL season.
While they can’t sign free agents or negotiate contract extensions yet, the Packers front office is already making moves to create more cap room.
The Packers have created $10.892M in 2022 cap space by restructuring the contract of NT Kenny Clark, per source.
Green Bay converted $13.615 of Clark’s 2022 compensation into a signing bonus and added two void years to his deal.
Chipping away to create some space…
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 23, 2022
NFL insider Field Yates tweeted that Green Bay created $10.892 million in cap space for next season by restructuring nose tackle Kenny Clark‘s contract.
They were able to convert $13.615 million of Clark’s salary for 2022 into a signing bonus and added two void years.
Signing bonuses do not count against the salary cap and it’s often a strategy that NFL teams use to stay under the cap ceiling.
Likewise, they added two voidable years which can lessen Clark’s cap hit each season.
However, the Packers still have a long way to go because they are still around $42 million over the cap based on the projected 2022 amount.
What Will They Do With Cleared Cap Space?
Signing Davante Adams must be the Packers’ priority once negotiations for contracts start.
They can assign him the franchise tag, giving him roughly $19 million in guaranteed money for one year while extending contract talks until July.
However, giving Adams a long-term deal will entice reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers to continue playing for Green Bay.
Aside from dealing with Adams, the Packers do need to fill other positions, especially on defense.
Green Bay would need to get another tight end because of Robert Tonyan‘s injury and Marcedes Lewis‘ age.
It’s not that their NFC North rivals will finally catch up with them, but the Packers must build a team that could go all the way to the Super Bowl.
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