Key Packers takeaways from historic NFL salary cap increase

Brian Gutekunst, general manager of the Green Bay Packers, may exhale with relief.

Good news has arrived for Gutekunst and Russ Ball, who have faced a difficult salary cap scenario in recent offseasons.

The NFL raised the 2024 salary cap significantly, as they announced on Friday. Jumping to $255.4 million, the amount is a remarkable $30 million increase over the prior year. Although the Packers had more freedom this offseason than in previous years, the extra cap space is very welcome.

The Packers have $8.2 million in cap space before any releases, reorganizations, or contract extensions, per Over The Cap. The Packers were predicted to be just over the salary cap, so this news has drastically changed things.

3 lessons for the Packers following the significant NFL salary cap increase
Packers are able to keep Preston Smith and Aaron Jones.

The Packers may be able to keep starting players Aaron Jones and Preston Smith without having to modify their contracts because they have more wiggle room.

Due to a shortage of cap space in recent offseasons, Green Bay had to rework a number of deals. This produced a temporary solution but delayed more financial problems into the following years. The Packers are able to restructure fewer deals thanks to the notable increase in cap space, which will help them have more financial stability in the future seasons.

They can retain Jones and Smith, two crucial leaders on this team, for the time being.
Packers are probably going to let go of David Bakhtiari.
The Packers may be able to keep Jones and Smith if they have more cap room, but David Bakhtiari’s plan won’t likely change. His $40 million cap charge will be more than halved by the Packers by trading for the five-time All-Pro.

Given Bakhtiari’s recent history of injuries, the Packers have found two excellent starting tackles in Zach Tom and Rasheed Walker.