The Green Bay Packers don’t have the resources to go on a free-agent spending spree like last March, but GM Brian Gutekunst is still confident he can add to his team using other roster-building avenues this offseason.
While the Packers aren’t blessed with loads of cap space, Gutekunst believes he can find other, potentially cheaper ways of adding help in free agency.
“I think when you look at free agency overall, with salary-cap casualties and different kinds of things, I think we’ll be able to add some players to our roster that can help us,” Gutekunst told Jason Wilde of the Athletic during a pre-combine chat on Friday. “But we’re certainly not in the position we were in last year with the resources. We’re going to have to do some different things this year.”
Translation: Don’t expect the Packers to be in the running for several first-wave free agents, especially if Gutekunst is able to re-sign veterans such as Mason Crosby and Bryan Bulaga. While the Packers could get creative to acquire a top free agent, there’s no chance of adding four quality veterans on the first day of free agency like last season.
However, Gutekunst’s specific mention of “cap casualties” is interesting. All veterans released for cap relief before the end of their contracts become free agents, but there is potential for getting a good player at a discount within this pool of players.
Veteran players already released include linebacker Nigel Bradham, receiver Paul Richardson, cornerback Josh Norman, receiver Taylor Gabriel, cornerback Prince Amukamara, tight end Jordan Reed, safety Tony Jefferson and cornerback T.J. Carrie. Some likely future cuts include receiver Sammy Watkins, defensive lineman Marcell Dareus, running back Dion Lewis, tight end Delanie Walker, running back Devonta Freeman, receiver Marquise Goodwin and receiver Albert Wilson. There are always a few surprise cuts, too.
The Packers have two likely cap casualties: tight end Jimmy Graham and guard Lane Taylor, who – if released together – would save the Packers almost $13 million on the 2020 cap.
The Packers have immediate needs at inside linebacker, receiver and tight end. Offensive tackle would become an instant top need if Bulaga isn’t retained.
Gutekunst can’t be as ultra-aggressive fixing roster holes as he was last March, but don’t expect the Packers to sleep through free agency. There are other ways to add veterans, and Gutekunst plans to explore all of them.
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