Packers: How does Kenny Clark move impact salary cap?

The Green Bay Packers made their first of many necessary moves to get under the salary cap, restructuring Kenny Clark’s deal.

Per ESPN’s Field Yates, the Packers converted $13.62 million into a signing bonus, while also adding two void years to his contract. This move has created $10.98 million on the 2022 salary cap, so it’s an important move.

With the new league year only a few weeks away, the Packers will need to clear a total of approximately $50 million, so restructuring Clark’s contract is a good way to a start.

How Kenny Clark move impacts Packers’ salary cap

Per Over The Cap, the Packers still need to clear $42.71 million in cap space by March 16, so expect many more roster moves to be made before then. Even more cap space will need to be created should the team use the franchise tag on All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams.

Restructuring Clark’s deal is one way of creating cap space, but it doesn’t necessarily tell us much about the big picture in regards to Aaron Rodgers’ future in Green Bay.

This is a move that would help clear cap space regardless of whether Rodgers is back. Considering how important Clark is to this team, pushing money into future years isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The Packers will hope he’s on the roster for many years to come.

The question now is what comes next. Will Green Bay release Pro Bowl pass rusher Za’Darius Smith? Will they extend Preston Smith’s deal?

How will Rodgers’ decision impact their cap? If he’s traded or retires, the Packers can create cap space. If he returns, a new deal could help lower his 2022 cap number.

What we know for sure is that Green Bay still has a lot of work to do in order to get under the salary cap by March 16. More roster moves will be made very soon.