5 potential cap casualties for Packers with reduced 2021 salary cap
Josh Jackson
This will be a prove-it year for former second-round pick Josh Jackson, who’s been unable to make an impact for the Packers defense so far in his NFL career. Jackson struggled in coverage last season, and as a result, his snap counts reduced a lot from his rookie season.
With Tramon Williams still not signed, Jackson has a great opportunity in front of him to land a much bigger role on defense this year. If he makes the most of it and lives up to his potential this season, there’s no doubt he’ll be back in 2021.
Jackson’s cap hit in 2021 is only $1.99 million, so even with a reduced salary cap, that’s an affordable number. However, if he struggles, the Packers could decide to move on. They’d be able to save $1.33 million in cap room next offseason. Given the potentially reduced salary cap, the Packers could look to make as many savings as possible.
Jackson was a second-round pick for a reason and he could still become an important part of this defense. But after struggling to make a big impact in his first two years, the pressure is on Jackson in a prove-it season. It could well be a make-or-break season for Jackson.