One of the most impressive thing about the Green Bay Packers over the last two seasons has been their ability to field a postseason-caliber team despite having one of the worst salary cap situations in the NFL. Last season, after trading Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets so that Jordan Love could take over as the starting quarterback, the Packers had the fourth-most dead cap in league: $67.2 million. $40 million of that was from Rodgers’ contract.
This season, even though Rodgers’ deal is off the books, they still have $64.5 million in dead cap, the seventh most in the NFL. The majority of this dead money is the result of releasing/trading David Bakhtiari ($18 million), Aaron Jones ($12 million), and Preston Smith ($12 million).
While the NFL salary cap was set at $255.4 million ($267.7 million for the Packers since they rolled over unused cap space from 2023), Green Bay only spent $178.5 million on their active roster.
That number is going to increase in a big way in 2025.
The Green Bay Packers Are Primed to Spend Big in 2025
This past offseason, the Packers made two high-profile free agent signings: running back Josh Jacobs and safety Xavier McKinney. They also agreed to a massive four-year $220 million contract extension with Love.
Despite these noteworthy expenditures, Green Bay is poised to have an incredible $63.2 million in cap space going into 2025. Part of the reason for the increase is that their dead cap amount will drop from $64.5 million down to $18.3 million. Thus far, the only substantial amounts that will count towards their dead cap space is $9.9 million for Preston Smith and $7.97 million for De’Vondre Campbell.
The next-highest amount on their dead cap list is $162,090 from Sean Clifford’s rookie contract (he was released when the Packers traded for Malik Willis, and then re-signed to their practice squad).
Of course, a lot can change between now and the start of free agency. Green Bay has to figure out contract extensions for some of their own players, some will get released, and they need to set aside roughly $10 million to sign the players they select in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Despite these factors, the Packers are going to have more money to spend in free agency than they have had in since the 2019 offseason, when they signed Preston Smith, Za’Darius Smith, and Adrian Amos.
3 Free Agents the Green Bay Packers Could Sign in 2025 Free Agency
Davante Adams (Wide Receiver)
Could a reunion be in the cards for Green Bay and the best wide receiver they have had since Sterling Sharpe? The Jets are reported to be ready to move on from both Davante Adams and Rodgers this offseason, so he will become a free agent once the new league year begins.
His market value is two and $27 million, or $13.5 million a year. While the offense has been good without him, he has not been completely replaced since Green Bay traded him in 2022.
Perhaps he and the organization can have their own kind of “Last Dance,” but with Love as the quarterback.
DJ Reed (Cornerback)
The disgruntled Jets cornerback has already stated that he is looking forward to free agency and seeing what else is out there. Needless to say, he will be leaving New York.
Cornerback is definitely a position of need for the Packers, regardless of what happens with Jaire Alexander this offseason. For his career, DJ Reed has held quarterbacks to a 59.5% completion percentage when targeting him. He may cost double of the $11 million he makes annually now, but Green Bay would get the best defensive back on the market (again) if they signed him.
Zach Baun (Linebacker)
The former Wisconsin Badgers star has been a breakout star for the Philadelphia Eagles this year. Currently playing on a one-year $3.5 million, he is sure to command much more in free agency after accumulating 151 tackles and 3.5 sacks this year.
Green Bay has Edgerrin Cooper, who is great; but the quality of the linebacker room overall is lacking. Baun would be an instant upgrade and, as a former Badger, an instant fan favorite.
But he is going to be expensive.
More Green Bay Packers News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- NFL Executive Puts the NFC on Notice Regarding the Green Bay Packers, Jordan Love in the Playoffs
- “The McCaskey’s Don’t Care;” Chicago Bears Fans Explode Over the Latest Ryan Poles Report Ahead of Matchup with the Green Bay Packers
- “They Have to Bench Him;” Packers Starter Presented with a Troubling Situation
- “Refs Weren’t Going to Let Us Win;” Green Bay Packers Fans Livid After Loss Against Minnesota Vikings
- Green Bay Packers: Christian Watson or Romeo Doubs, Which WR Deserves a 2nd Contract?
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
