Packers well-positioned to make a big free agency signing

The Green Bay Packers have the cap room to make a big signing in free agency.

Unlike in years past, the expectation for the Green Bay Packers is to be active in free agency. That was the case in Brian Gutekunst’s first offseason as general manager, and will likely continue this year.

While the Packers did make a significant signing last offseason by signing Jimmy Graham to a three-year deal, they missed out on some of the biggest moves in free agency.

If Gutekunst wants to sign a player at a position of need to a big contract this offseason, the Packers have the cap room to make it work. According to Over The Cap, the Packers will begin the new league year with around $35 million available.

Unlike last year, there’s no Aaron Rodgers contract extension coming up, and Gutekunst might only decide to bring back one or two of Green Bay’s free agents.

For this team to become competitive again in the NFC, Gutekunst will need to make a couple of moves in free agency.

It’s still too early to tell which players will be available when free agency gets underway on March 13. Teams have the option to use the franchise or transition tag up until March 5, and of course there’s also the possibility that free agents agree new contracts with their current teams.

But if a top edge rusher like Dee Ford of Frank Clark becomes available, or perhaps a safety like Earl Thomas or Landon Collins, the Packers have the cap room to make a deal.

Finding the right deal is a different question entirely. The one guarantee in free agency is that signing one of the top available players won’t be cheap. Gutekunst might decide the best option is to avoid the big names and instead add players who can add depth at positions of need, before turning to the draft.

But if the Packers are interested in signing one of the top free agents, they have the cap room to make a big signing work.