The NFL informed clubs today that projections for the 2020 salary cap are in the range of $196.8 million to $201.2 million. This marks a 40% increase from five years ago in the 2015 season ($143.3 million).
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 10, 2019
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Tuesday that the league’s 2020 salary cap is projected around $200 million, with a range starting at $196.8 million and extending to over $201 million.
The Green Bay Packers have roughly $182.3 million committed to the salary cap in 2020, according to Over the Cap.
The spending capabilities of GM Brian Gutekunst should range between about $15 million up to roughly $20 million, although those figures don’t factor in any potential cost-saving moves made in the coming months.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers will count $32.6 million against the cap in 2020. Six others will count $10 million or more: linebacker Za’Darius Smith ($17.2 million), receiver Davante Adams ($16.6 million), left tackle David Bakhtiari ($14.2 million), linebacker Preston Smith ($13.5 million), tight end Jimmy Graham ($11.7 million) and center Corey Linsley ($10.5 million).
Gutekunst could save a big chunk of money on the cap by releasing Graham and guard Lane Taylor, who spent most of the year on injured reserve.
Although Gutekunst won’t have the ability to be as ultra-aggressive in free agency as he was last March, he should have the financial flexibility to add a mid-level player or two and extend defensive lineman Kenny Clark with a long-term deal.
Among the Packers’ in-house free agents in 2020 are linebacker Blake Martinez, right tackle Bryan Bulaga, kicker Mason Crosby, cornerback Tramon Williams, linebacker Kyler Fackrell and tight end Marcedes Lewis.