Packers salary cap situation after Sammy Watkins signing

An updated look at the Packers’ salary cap after the Sammy Watkins signing.

Signing free-agent Sammy Watkins was a low-risk move by the Green Bay Packers.

Adding Watkins was the first step in rebuilding a wide receiver corps that has lost Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Equanimeous St. Brown.

Watkins is a former first-round pick and has featured in 99 regular-season games during his career. He has also played in two Super Bowls, winning one.

The Packers were able to sign Watkins to a team-friendly deal.

According to Over The Cap, Watkins’ cap hit in 2022 is just $1.77 million. That’s lower than backup quarterback Jordan Love’s cap hit.

This contract structure doesn’t guarantee Watkins will make the 53-man roster. If the team decided to release him, they would pay just $350,000 in dead cap.

How does Sammy Watkins signing impact Packers’ salary cap?

So, where does this move leave the Packers from a salary-cap perspective?

Per Over The Cap, Green Bay now sits $14.05 million under the cap.

Some of this will go on the draft class. Some will be saved for in-season signings throughout the year. But some could also be used to make a signing or two either before the draft or immediately after.

While the draft is the main focus and the best way to add talent to the roster between now and September, the Packers have more than enough room to make an affordable free-agent signing or two.

The team signed inside linebacker De’Vondre Campbell to a cheap one-year deal last June. In Green Bay, Campbell would become a first-team All-Pro and land a new five-year deal with the team.

Should they need to, the Packers could find other ways to create cap space through contract restructures, releases, or extensions. But that’s not necessary right now.

Signing Watkins was a low-risk move and leaves the Packers with just over $14 million in cap space.