Packers News: Kenny Clark, Keisean Nixon cryptic post, draft update
An important week is ahead for the Green Bay Packers. It's the calm before the storm, with the unpredictability of free agency only days away.
The Packers have a lot to figure out in the weeks ahead, including what to do with Kenny Clark's contract. The three-time Pro Bowler is entering the final year of his deal and has a significant $27.5 million cap hit.
Green Bay could restructure his contract by pushing money into future years, but they should try to avoid that. The other option is to offer Clark a new long-term deal. The Packers would get the short-term benefits of more cap space while ensuring their star defensive tackle stays in Green Bay beyond 2024.
But the hopes of signing Clark to a new deal just became more challenging.
Entering contract year, Kenny Clark reacts to Justin Madubuike's new deal
Clark is watching the defensive tackle market closely. On Friday, the Baltimore Ravens signed All-Pro Justin Madubuike to a four-year, $98 million deal, including $75.5 million guaranteed.
It's a significant deal, and one Clark will hope to replicate once the time comes to negotiate a new contract. He reacted to the news on X (formerly Twitter).
Clark is next. The question is whether his next contract will come in Green Bay or elsewhere. Clark only has one year remaining on his current deal, and the Packers don't often hand out third contracts. Will they consider letting Clark hit free agency a year from now?
Either way, Clark is going to land a huge new deal at some point in the not-too-distant future.
Keisean Nixon cryptic post has fans worried about Packers future
Another player with an uncertain future in Green Bay is slot corner and All-Pro returner Keisean Nixon. We'll learn what's next for Nixon in the next week, as his contract expires at the start of the new league year on March 13.
Nixon caused some panic among Packers fans with this tweet:
Almost every reply under the tweet is a Packers fan worried that Nixon is referring to moving on in free agency. But that's the beauty of social media. We have no idea what it means.
The Packers may have already made a decision on Nixon. They didn't get an extension done before February 19, when his deal voided. That means Green Bay will pay $1.1 million in dead cap even if Nixon re-signs. If the Packers wanted him back, why wouldn't they have agreed to a deal before that deadline to avoid the dead cap hit in 2024?
What's next for the two-time first-team All-Pro? Time will tell.
Packers' draft order confirmed after receiving three compensatory picks
The NFL has awarded the Packers three compensatory draft picks. This comes after the team lost Allen Lazard, Jarran Reed, and Dean Lowry in free agency last offseason.
We finally know Green Bay's complete draft order for 2024. They have 11 picks in total, including five in the first three rounds. Here are the Packers' picks:
Green Bay has the draft capital to significantly upgrade its roster this offseason. It can either stay in its current position, use those selections to make trades for veteran players, or move up the draft board.
The Packers have one of the league's best young rosters and enter the draft with 11 picks. That works.