Packers make another big move to create cap space

It’s been a busy week for the Green Bay Packers. They’ve now made another important move to help towards the requirement of getting under the salary cap by the start of the new league year.

According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Packers have restructured David Bakhtiari’s contract. Yates reported that the team has converted $11.58 million into signing bonus. This move creates $9.26 million, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

This is another significant step towards getting under the salary cap, and it comes after a busy week that included restructured contracts for Kenny Clark and Aaron Jones.

So, where does this leave the Packers with under three weeks to go before the start of the new league year?

According to Spotrac, Green Bay remains $28.25 million over the salary cap even after the moves made this week. Clearly, a lot of work still needs to be done.

The roster moves will keep on coming in the next few weeks. The Packers will also need to know Aaron Rodgers’ decision before then, as his future will impact the salary cap one way or another.

Re-signing him to a contract extension will be a must if Rodgers decides to return, giving him a long-term commitment from the team while also lowering his 2022 cap hit. If he moves on, doing so will also help the Packers lower his cap hit.

The work is only just beginning for the Packers. They still need to create another $28 million just to get under the salary cap. If they wish to re-sign Davante Adams, De’Vondre Campbell, Rasul Douglas, or any of their other free agents, more cap space will need to be created.

More moves will be on the way in the coming days and weeks. Restructuring David Bakhtiari’s deal helps make a significant cap saving for 2022.