2024 Salary Cap as related to Free Agency

[tynimiller]

And is that a question we can ever really be sure we have the answer to before we have to make the call on paying him or letting him go?

Is this a case where a "prove-it" deal would be appropriate to see what Hafley can do with him, or do we even have any leverage in this circumstance to ask him to consider such a deal? He's only 26, and has shown a number of flashes over the years. Seems he wouldn't have much trouble finding a team that's willing to go 3 years with him.

Honestly I’d much rather throw a one year four or five million at him over Nixon personally….

 

[Thirteen Below]

Honestly I’d much rather throw a one year four or five million at him over Nixon personally….

I would be totally on board with that, too. I suspect there are several players on this D that we don't really know how good they actually are.

It's easy for a lot of fans to get down on him because of poor tackling, tentativeness, indecision, and apparent lack of confidence, but every one of those things could be largely from a young player not feeling like he knows what's expected of him. I don't think missing 7 games in the middle of what should have been his "put up or shut up" season helped his development a bit either.

Savage has talent and athletic skills, he's an excellent teammate with a great attitude, was always hanging around the squad while on injured reserve to support and encourage his teammates, and a really positive (and now, veteran) presence n the position group. Seems to me he's exactly the kind of young vet other teams will look at and think that maybe he just needs a change of scenery, a fresh start. But maybe we're the team where he can get that fresh start and change of scene.

But, again, I question whether wants to take a one-year deal and give up the security of a 3 year (or more) contract.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I would be totally on board with that, too. I suspect there are several players on this D that we don't really know how good they actually are.

It's easy for a lot of fans to get down on him because of poor tackling, tentativeness, indecision, and apparent lack of confidence, but every one of those things could be largely from a young player not feeling like he knows what's expected of him. I don't think missing 7 games in the middle of what should have been his "put up or shut up" season helped his development a bit either.

Savage has talent and athletic skills, he's an excellent teammate with a great attitude, was always hanging around the squad while on injured reserve to support and encourage his teammates, and a really positive (and now, veteran) presence n the position group. Seems to me he's exactly the kind of young vet other teams will look at and think that maybe he just needs a change of scenery, a fresh start. But maybe we're the team where he can get that fresh start and change of scene.

But, again, I question whether wants to take a one-year deal and give up the security of a 3 year (or more) contract.

I'm hoping that Gute, MLF and the other coaches have a good idea on what current players fit well into the new defense and of course, which don't. I'm expecting to see better play from whatever DB's end up playing. Not just from better coaching of them, but better coaching of the front 7.

Too many times our DB's were left on an island due to coaching and a front 7 that were just too inconsistent.

The 49ers may have lost that SB when Dre Greenlaw tore his Achilles, the 9'ers IMO have the front 7 that I dream of for the Packers.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

If someone posted this elsewhere my apologies. Great article on the fact that not only did Gute have a great 2023 draft, but he and the Packers made excellent decisions on their own free agents. This is something that tends to get overlooked when it happens. Also, had Gute resigned all these guys, that's not just cap money, but 5 roster spots and 5 players he might not have drafted or for sure kept on the roster. Gute knocked it out of the park!

5 former Packers players who failed with their new teams in 2023

The Green Bay Packers made the correct decision to move on from these players, who all struggled on new teams in 2023.

lombardiave.com

 

[SudsMcBucky]

If someone posted this elsewhere my apologies. Great article on the fact that not only did Gute have a great 2023 draft, but he and the Packers made excellent decisions on their own free agents. This is something that tends to get overlooked when it happens. Also, had Gute resigned all these guys, that's not just cap money, but 5 roster spots and 5 players he might not have drafted or for sure kept on the roster. Gute knocked it out of the park!

5 former Packers players who failed with their new teams in 2023

The Green Bay Packers made the correct decision to move on from these players, who all struggled on new teams in 2023.

lombardiave.com

Real shocking that 3 of the 5 went to the Jest.

 

[PikeBadger]

I'm hoping that Gute, MLF and the other coaches have a good idea on what current players fit well into the new defense and of course, which don't. I'm expecting to see better play from whatever DB's end up playing. Not just from better coaching of them, but better coaching of the front 7.

Too many times our DB's were left on an island due to coaching and a front 7 that were just too inconsistent.

The 49ers may have lost that SB when Dre Greenlaw tore his Achilles, the 9'ers IMO have the front 7 that I dream of for the Packers.

They have a great front 6-7.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Real shocking that 3 of the 5 went to the Jest.

4 out of 6 if you add Rodgers to that list.

That is another move and a very bold one at that, that should be added to the other decisions to make it a very successful 2023 offseason for Gute and the Packers.

 

[OldSchool101]

I really feel strongly that we will resign 3-4 or our key internal Defensive FA guys (Nixon, Ford, etc and a couple of ST regulars). Then Gutey will go after 2-3 outside Defensive players that are starter level players on either D or ST and that can give our new DC a jump start.

After that we should see a slightly more pronounced effort to supply the Defensive side with draftees.

I really think rather than FA at LB we can draft in that top #58-#91 that can start Day1 alongside Quay. That alone frees up our Cap substantially because we can move on from De’Vondre. His post June Cut/trade $$ frees up $10.6Mil (less replacement). We’re talking about +$9Mil net savings if we go the drafting route. That could be used to go after another position group such as our DB room.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I really feel strongly that we will resign 3-4 or our key internal Defensive FA guys (Nixon, Ford, etc and a couple of ST regulars). Then Gutey will go after 2-3 outside Defensive players that are starter level players on either D or ST and that can give our new DC a jump start.

After that we should see a slightly more pronounced effort to supply the Defensive side with draftees.

I really think rather than FA at LB we can draft in that top #58-#91 that can start Day1 alongside Quay. That alone frees up our Cap substantially because we can move on from De’Vondre. His post June Cut/trade $$ frees up $10.6Mil (less replacement). We’re talking about +$9Mil net savings if we go the drafting route. That could be used to go after another position group such as our DB room.

There is the possibility that they extend Kenny C. and gain quite a bit of cap space. I just hope they don't over extend or maybe I should say, over pay. Clark will be 29 in October and it seems when D Lineman hit that age of 30, things begin declining.

I do think Campbell is all but gone and that will be happening before 3/15/2024, which is when his $2.9M roster bonus would otherwise kick in. He will then be 1 of 2 players that the Packers can declare a post June 1 cut. Spreading his dead cap of $11.628M over 2 years ($3.657M in 2024 and $7.971M in 2025), will save the Packers $10.573M on the cap this year.

Bahk will be another cut, restructure or trade to save a bunch of cap. I think he is most likely cut, unless they can somehow get him to rework his deal at a vet min type thing. Purging him saves $20,929,411, but there is still that nasty dead cap of $19M+ that the Packers have to eat in 2024.

Bottom line, just reworking Kenny and purging those 2 guys is going to free up some cap. If the new defense needs a proven vet ILB and there is a good one available in Free Agency, I say go get him. Along with a Vet FA safety.

Use the draft and relatively high picks on both of those positions, but bring them along slowly and don't rely on them as instant quality starters in 2024.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Big Day tomorrow for 3 potential "former" Packers. If the Packers don't work out new deals and resign Keisean Nixon, Darnell Savage, or Yosh Nijman, their dead cap hits will come due this season.

In the grand scheme of things it isn't a ton of money ($9.48M) and no matter what, it will have to be accounted for at some point. I am fine with resigning all 3, if the price is right, but think at least 1 will decide to test the free agent waters and pass for now.

You must be logged in to see this image or video!

 

[tynimiller]

I think we are likely to bring Savage back out of all of our free agents. I have a strong feeling Hefley has been deep diving on Savage to give his sense of what he thinks.

 

[PikeBadger]

I think we are likely to bring Savage back out of all of our free agents. I have a strong feeling Hefley has been deep diving on Savage to give his sense of what he thinks.

You think Hafley is gonna find that favorable?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I agree that the Packers may try to keep Savage, if they are convinced that Hafley and his defensive system could unlock a new level for Savage. This is a tough call, because at times Savage has played well, as have a lot of the starters on defense. However, are his failures due to Barry or lack of consistent talent?

I think MLF and the coaches will have a good feel for this and will help steer Gute on all 3 potential free agents (Savage, Nixon and Nijman).

 

[tynimiller]

Savage managed to be the first 16th ranked safety per PFF this past year. Crazy thing is I think Savage might excel with a more aggressive system. I’m very split on him, and personally I’d say if I were Gute it all circles around can you make a contract that he accepts and you can live with.

 

[OldSchool101]

From my own interpretation. When Savage was asked be aggressive ? he would step up and make some plays. When he’s left to sit back though he brings back terrible memories of one called M.D. Jennings and trust me that’s not a compliment.

If he can be used effectively, Darnell’d worth is about 6-8M yearly tops depending on term length etc. Much of that is based on pure athleticism and raw experience. I feel like we are in Win Now mode. We don’t have time to wait 3 seasons to get production. So that’s to his benefit and ours, if we use him properly.

If Savage took a 3yrX20mil with 1 year guaranteed type deal I’d be ok with that. It allows us to pass at Safety until Day3 (if needed) which = we can focus on other positional needs. I’d still go after a Safety and CB before Day3 either way.

 

[Half Empty]

If Savage took a 3yrX20mil with 1 year guaranteed type deal I’d be ok with that. It allows us to pass at Safety until Day3 (if needed) which = we can focus on other positional needs. I’d still go after a Safety and CB before Day3 either way.

May be reading this wrong, but it looks like you're saying we don't need to pick before Day 3, but you'd still do it?

 

[OldSchool101]

May be reading this wrong, but it looks like you're saying we don't need to pick before Day 3, but you'd still do it?

Yes. The difference would be..
if we don’t go resign or get a Veteran FA Safety etc? Imo our hand is forced to take one in the draft and probably using a Top 41 or better scenario. Here if we retain Savage and an ideal fit at Safety isn’t there? It’s not so critical to use one of our top picks there. Do we go after Kinchens or Tyler Nubin? Or wait and grab a more unorthodox big hitting James Williams.
I just woke up from a nap and it was the last thing I wrote as I passed out.. factor that ok (true story!)

I’d say just let Savage walk and call Miami and tell them to draft package their Safety room we’ll send our company Jet no need to pull a hamstring at Combine. Tell Kinchens and Williams to pack their warm clothes

 

[RicFlairoftheNFL]

Big Day tomorrow for 3 potential "former" Packers. If the Packers don't work out new deals and resign Keisean Nixon, Darnell Savage, or Yosh Nijman, their dead cap hits will come due this season.

In the grand scheme of things it isn't a ton of money ($9.48M) and no matter what, it will have to be accounted for at some point. I am fine with resigning all 3, if the price is right, but think at least 1 will decide to test the free agent waters and pass for now.

You must be logged in to see this image or video!

I like Nixon for the number but as a returner only and last man up at DB. I played too much under Barry and got exposed.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

If I were the Packers or any other team, I wouldn't give Savage a lot of guaranteed money, since there is a big question mark on what you are getting. I know I say this with most players, but Savage is a classic example of a player that should be given a cheap base contract, loaded with a ton of incentives. The "problem" for the Packers, if they only give him a 1 year deal, his entire dead cap of $5.46M+ his new salary hits in its entirety this season. So they would have to do a 1 year with additional void years, to stretch that hit out.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I like Nixon for the number but as a returner only and last man up at DB. I played too much under Barry and got exposed.

Nixon definitely shouldn't be paid as a starter and he hasn't been. His value is on special teams and a some what reliable backup in the secondary. I don't think the Packers or any team for that matter will pay him starting CB money.

 

[tynimiller]

Nixon definitely shouldn't be paid as a starter and he hasn't been. His value is on special teams and a some what reliable backup in the secondary. I don't think the Packers or any team for that matter will pay him starting CB money.

I beg to differ on that he hasn't been...dude got $4,000,000 last year. For that money you gotta give more than he did. We could have got a returning specialist and a better slot CB for that money split in all likelihood.

 

[mradtke66]

I like Nixon for the number but as a returner only and last man up at DB. I played too much under Barry and got exposed.

Sure, but if everyone is healthy, he's what? The 4th or 5th option at CB. Viewed through that lens, he exceeded expectations.

 

[tynimiller]

Sure, but if everyone is healthy, he's what? The 4th or 5th option at CB. Viewed through that lens, he exceeded expectations.

We paid him to be our #1 slot CB. Did not play up to that expectation.

 

[mradtke66]

We paid him to be our #1 slot CB. Did not play up to that expectation.

I guess I don't see him getting paid as such. In my eyes, he got returner + backup CB money. Slot corner is a starter.

Assuming everyone was healthy, our top 3 were Rasul, Jarie, and Stokes when camp broke.

 

[tynimiller]

I guess I don't see him getting paid as such. In my eyes, he got returner + backup CB money. Slot corner is a starter.

Assuming everyone was healthy, our top 3 were Rasul, Jarie, and Stokes when camp broke.

$4M in one year is like top 40/45 CB money....