These three Green Bay Packers players could be in danger of being released heading into the 2021 season.
A disappointing end to the Green Bay Packers‘ season in the NFC Championship game capped off an otherwise stellar campaign, and the 2020 Packers will forever be remembered as one of the team’s most talented rosters.
Unfortunately, many of the members of last season’s team will no longer be on the team in 2021. The Packers face many tough decisions heading into the offseason, which includes several players on the brink of being released in order to save money on the salary cap.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the NFL’s salary cap decreased for the first time in recent memory. Teams expected the 2021 cap to hover around $200 million last spring. Instead, it’s expected to be around $180 million. Several teams will now be forced to restructure contracts and release players due to cap constraints.
Green Bay is no exception, either. As of Feb. 20, the Packers are an estimated $11 million over the 2021 cap limit. Veterans Rick Wagner and Christian Kirksey have already been released. Expect more players to be released in the next few weeks in order to get that cap number down.
With that said, here are three Green Bay Packers players in danger of being a salary cap casualty this offseason.
Note: All salary cap numbers courtesy of Spotrac
Green Bay Packers cap casualty No. 3: JK Scott, P
The Packers didn’t need JK Scott very often this past season (Aaron Rodgers had more touchdowns than Scott had punts), but when they needed him most he failed to live up to the test. Scott was average at the beginning of the season, but when it got colder in November and December he was downright bad.
Scott finished fourth-worst in the NFL in punt average (45.5 yards). The Packers can save $974,389 with just $54,389 in dead cap if Scott is released. Surely Green Bay can find a replacement who would have equal output.
If Scott wasn’t drafted in the fifth round, perhaps there wouldn’t be as much scrutiny surrounding his performance.
Green Bay Packers cap casualty No. 2: Devin Funchess, WR
There are no pictures of Devin Funchess in a Green Bay Packers uniform, let alone in a practice jersey. That’s because Funchess has yet to play a single snap for the team after opting out of the 2020 season due to concerns over the coronavirus.
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Funchess, who is scheduled to have a cap hit of $2.37 million, can be released for just $1 million in dead cap this offseason. He signed a one-year contract last offseason as a prove-it deal, but never got the chance to showcase his abilities.
Funchess, who was a second-round pick by the Carolina Panthers in 2015, is still just 26 years old. But for roughly $2.5 million, will the Packers elect to keep him around when they have other viable options? Additionally, Green Bay will almost certainly elect to retain Allen Lazard by using the exclusive-rights tender, which will cost the team $850,000.
In doesn’t help that Lazard plays the same role that Funchess would likely serve if he were to be retained. Not to mention that Lazard is the better player, especially in coach Matt LaFleur’s scheme as a blocking receiver.
It would be extremely surprising if the Packers elect to keep Funchess around, though stranger things have happened in the past.
Green Bay Packers cap casualty No. 1: Preston Smith, OLB
After quickly becoming a fan favorite in 2019 as part of the “Smith Bros” duo with Za’Darius, Preston Smith‘s productivity trailed off in 2020. Smith had a career year in his first season with the Packers, notching 12 sacks and 23 quarterback hits. He took a big step back in 2020, tallying just four sacks and 11 quarterback hits.
Smith signed a four-year deal in March of 2019 and will carry a $16 million cap hit in 2021. The Packers can cut him for just $8 million in dead cap, saving $8 million on the salary cap along the way. Doing so would free up a good chunk of money while also giving way to Rashan Gary, who outplayed Smith for much of the 2020 season.
In fact, Gary’s promising play last season is a huge reason Green Bay will likely feel comfortable parting ways with Smith. Gary, the former 12th overall draft pick in 2019, logged five sacks and 11 quarterback hits in a limited role this past year.
The only likely scenario in which the Packers retain Smith is if he agrees to a contract restructure. From a player’s standpoint, this would be extremely foolish. Because of that, expect Smith to be released at some point this offseason.