Cap concerns limit Packers’ options heading into free agency
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — GREEN BAY PACKERS (13-5)
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: P Corey Bojorquez, LB Oren Burks, LB De’Vondre Campbell, CB Rasul Douglas, DT Jack Heflin, OT Dennis Kelly, CB Kevin King, DE Tyler Lancaster, G Lucas Patrick, WR Equanimeous St. Brown, CB Chandon Sullivan, TE Robert Tonyan, CB Isaac Yiadom
RESTRICTED FREE AGENT: WR Allen Lazard
NEEDS: The Packers can breathe a little easier heading into free agency now that MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers has said he plans to return to Green Bay.
The Packers also placed a franchise tag on All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams to keep him from becoming an unrestricted free agent. They, however, still have an unsettled situation at receiver because of the possibility Valdes-Scantling, Lazard and St. Brown could depart.
The Packers would love to hang on to Campbell and Douglas but might not be able to afford them. Campbell and Douglas had breakthrough seasons as first-year Packers in 2021, with Campbell earning All-Pro honors and Douglas delivering numerous big plays.
Complicating matters is the Packers’ cap situation. The Packers have tried to address that by releasing OLB Za’Darius Smith and OT Billy Turner and extending or restructuring the contracts of a number of veterans.
AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE (approximately): $18 million over.
TOP PHOTO: FILE – Green Bay Packers’ Davante Adams, left, celebrates his touchdown reception with Aaron Rodgers during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. Until this season, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers always referred to Hall of Fame cornerback Charles Woodson as his greatest teammate ever. After a Christmas Day victory over the Cleveland Browns, Rodgers called Adams the “most dominant player I’ve played with.” (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke, File)
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