The Green Bay Packers are still licking their wounds after a tough end to the season-one that stung even more because it came at the hands of a bitter rival. But as the dust settles in Titletown, there’s a sense of clarity beginning to emerge.
The first domino? Head coach Matt LaFleur isn’t going anywhere.
Despite speculation about his future, the Packers made it official: LaFleur will remain at the helm. That decision gives the organization a sense of continuity heading into an offseason that promises to be anything but quiet.
With defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley departing, the staff already has one major hole to fill. But the bigger puzzle lies in the front office-specifically, how this team plans to navigate a tricky salary cap situation.
Right now, the Packers are $10.6 million over the cap. That’s not a small number, especially for a team that wants to stay competitive and build on the progress made with Jordan Love under center. But there are moves on the table-smart, calculated ones-that could flip this financial script without gutting the roster.
Let’s start with Love himself. Restructuring his deal could free up $7.7 million.
It’s not a game-changing number on its own, but it’s a meaningful step. Love is clearly the future in Green Bay, and turning some of his salary into a signing bonus would spread the cap hit over the life of the deal.
It’s a common move for cornerstone players, and Love has earned that status.
Next up is safety Xavier McKinney. He’s another foundational piece on this roster, and reworking his contract could open up $5.96 million in cap space. McKinney isn’t going anywhere-he’s too important to the defense-so this is another logical place to create some breathing room.
Then there’s Josh Jacobs. The veteran running back could unlock $4.75 million in savings through a restructure.
Like Love and McKinney, Jacobs is viewed as a core player moving forward. Spreading out his cap hit would help the team now without impacting his long-term value.
And finally, Christian Watson. The wide receiver hasn’t had the smoothest ride due to injuries, but his explosiveness when healthy is undeniable.
Restructuring his deal would free up another $2 million. Not a huge number, but when you add it all up-Love, McKinney, Jacobs, and Watson-you’re looking at nearly $20 million in potential cap relief.
That’s a significant chunk of change, especially when paired with potential roster cuts. The most notable name in that conversation is Rashan Gary.
Cutting him would free up close to $11 million. That’s a tough decision-Gary’s talent is real-but it shows just how many levers the Packers can pull if they want to get creative.
The front office has options. This isn’t a team boxed into a corner.
With LaFleur staying put and a young core in place, the Packers have a chance to reset the books without taking a step back on the field. The next few weeks will be telling.
Will Green Bay opt for restructures, cuts, or a mix of both? One thing’s for sure: the offseason chessboard is set, and the Packers are ready to make their move.