In the world of NFL finance, the Green Bay Packers are navigating the salary cap landscape with precision. Thanks to the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the players’ union, teams must average a cash spend of 90% of the salary cap over three years.
If they fall short, they must redistribute the difference to the players’ union, gaining nothing in return. Right now, the Packers need to make up $173.6 million by 2026.
Looking ahead, the Packers are set to spend $291.3 million on their roster in 2026, placing them among the league's big spenders, just behind the Eagles, 49ers, and Lions. This ensures they stay well above the three-year salary floor.
Among the notable contracts, center Elgton Jenkins and edge defender Rashan Gary are set to receive $20 million and $19.5 million respectively. These two might become cap casualties, but even freeing up that $39.5 million, the Packers still clear the spending bar by over $78 million.
Here's a snapshot of the Packers' projected cash payments for 2026:
- Jordan Love, QB: $51 million
- Micah Parsons, EDGE: $40.8 million
- Elgton Jenkins, C: $20 million
- Rashan Gary, EDGE: $19.5 million
- Aaron Banks, G: $18.1 million
- Xavier McKinney, S: $13.4 million
- Devonte Wyatt, DT: $12.9 million
- Josh Jacobs, RB: $11.5 million
- Nate Hobbs, CB: $9.1 million
- Zach Tom, T: $6.1 million
- Christian Watson, WR: $5.8 million
- Keisean Nixon, CB: $5 million
Beyond these, the next tier of earners includes Carrington Valentine, Karl Brooks, Dontayvion Wicks, and Tucker Kraft, each set to earn $3.7 million thanks to performance escalators.
League-wide, teams like the Rams, Seahawks, and Raiders will need to open their wallets this offseason. The Rams and Seahawks are expected to focus on retaining their own talent, while the Raiders might look to the market for reinforcements.
Currently, seven teams need to boost their spending to meet the three-year floor. They'll be active in adding players or extending contracts as the deadline approaches.
It's a challenging task to fall below the cash floor in today's NFL. Teams have become adept at managing cap space, and with the current spending trends, the Packers and others are well-positioned to meet their financial obligations while staying competitive on the field.