2026 Cap Projections and changes

[mradtke66]

Willis doesn't look to have a great surrounding cast. If he can play as well as he played in GB, it should not require Miami to use a top 5 pick on a QB. Willis would have to be terrible for that to happen, given the financial commitment Miami just made for him. As you note though, he didn't et paid anywhere elite QB money.

I'm a bit paranoid. Something about the signing feels like theatre. "See we are totally trying this year! Totally not tanking!" and thus I view a lot of their choices skeptically.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I'm a bit paranoid. Something about the signing feels like theatre. "See we are totally trying this year! Totally not tanking!" and thus I view a lot of their choices skeptically.

Yeah I guess every team has to put on a brave face for the fans. It wouldn't do to say "We are gonna suck this year but we're rebuilding around a young, dynamic QB and have great plans for the next draft." And at $179m in dead cap, that's a tough message to send.

I am interested in how Willis does this year. Except for the game against us, I'm cheering for him to be successful. Well, to a point…. Same for Hafley. Wish him well, just not at the Packers' expense.

 

[OldSchool101]

Just hope we are not one of their 7 wins.

I’m sure Hafley and Willis would like nothing more than to say they beat Green Bay in a Roster rebuild. You know how X Packers tend to play better against us. Although this is a rare case where both QB and Coach were propelled by our Staff, so there’s no bad blood between us here.

 

[OldSchool101]

Yes and as we know not all good Coordinators translate to good HC’s.

I do like Hafley though. He’s got a humble and engaging demeanor and that’s hard not to like. I would offer that if Miami is beating teams like GB? They’ll likely be beating other teams in our Division as well.
Miami actually has a brutal schedule.
They start out with @ Raiders.
49ers
Chiefs
Vikings
Bengals
Jets
Patriots
Lions
Colts
Bills
Jets
Broncos
Bears
Packers
Chargers
Bills
Patriots.

I could 100% see some strings of 3-4 losses. The Raiders now have Cousins-Mendoza combo. Bengals have Burrow back practicing. Colts have Daniel Jones practicing. Lions are well run and will likely bounce back, plus they have some cap to add. Vikings were on a tear at end of last season finishing 5-0. It’s not an easy schedule past maybe NY. Their last 6 games are brutal. Of course to be fair our schedule is also pretty tough, but at least GB is not in rebuilding status.

 

[DoURant]

I’m sure Hafley and Willis would like nothing more than to say they beat Green Bay in a Roster rebuild. You know how X Packers tend to play better against us. Although this is a rare case where both QB and Coach were propelled by our Staff, so there’s no bad blood between us here.

I just hope MLF doesn't hit the brakes, in order to not "embarrass" Hafley and the Dolphins, if we by chance jump out to a big lead by halftime.

 

[OldSchool101]

I just hope MLF doesn't hit the brakes, in order to not "embarrass" Hafley and the Dolphins, if we by chance jump out to a big lead by halftime.

He needs to “beat the brakes off” them.

 

[milani]

He needs to “beat the brakes off” them.

We shall see where we are that late in the season.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I just hope MLF doesn't hit the brakes, in order to not "embarrass" Hafley and the Dolphins, if we by chance jump out to a big lead by halftime.

For all games this year, MLF should never "hit the brakes". Because teams can and do comeback, sometimes against all odds. Recall the three-possession halftime lead against the Bears in the playoffs.

There is no reason to slow down a team that is firing on all cylinders in a game. Just the opposite, never give an opponent a break.

 

[OldSchool101]

The Packers currently have around $28Mil Cap$ remaining across ‘26-27. That number will change slightly as the yearly adjustment increases.

Fortunately we do have the bulk of our key players signed. Kraft is about the only key contract that remains.

 

[gopkrs]

Sure. Yet Im looking at the FA group as a whole and who’s likely gone with an expired contract and here’s my rough estimates:
Willis RD3
Rasheed RD4
(Josh Sweat at $19m netted a RD4)
Doubs RD4/RD5
Walker RD5/RD6
Enagbare RD6/RD7
Wilson RD7

Yet Remember you only get 4 comp picks max, if you signed a $13-15m type FA player it’s most likely going to cross out Doubs or Walker. That said that offset still pushes Enagbare or Wilson up into our 4th spot contention. So a pretty arguable case is you trade off a RD4 for a RD6 selection etc. imo it’s Hardly enough to scare Brian away from signing a $15Mil annual FA. Really it’s the 1 season we could also sign a $3-5mil type FA and it becomes similar round swap outcome. So I guess what I’m projecting is the ultimate effect isn’t a lost selection. It’s more likely a Round swap, which is detrimental.

Thats one advantage of having 5-6 players that could qualify for a comp selection in FA.

We’re highly likely not doing anything to erase Malik or Rasheed.

Good point about signings using up comp picks. So I say stay pat, use our comp picks and worry about spending next year when it looks like we'll be in the hunt for sure. The money will still be there. Sign Kraft and worry about other players next year imho.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Good point about signings using up comp picks.

Free agent signings stopped factoring into compensatory pick calculations, after 4:00 p.m. ET on the Monday following the NFL Draft.

 

[OldSchool101]

Good point about signings using up comp picks. So I say stay pat, use our comp picks and worry about spending next year when it looks like we'll be in the hunt for sure. The money will still be there. Sign Kraft and worry about other players next year imho.

Yes and it’s going to be really nice to have 11 draft picks with 7 of them in those quality rounds 2-5

 

[gopkrs]

Yes and it’s going to be really nice to have 11 draft picks with 7 of them in those quality rounds 2-5

Although PokerWurst said we don't have to worry about signings affecting our comp picks anymore this year. I just wouldn't do it unless we are pretty sure we would not be able to do better next year

 

[tynimiller]

Most signings now aren’t long term and even if two or more years likely a one year and option out rather easily.

 

[OldSchool101]

Most signings now aren’t long term and even if two or more years likely a one year and option out rather easily.

@tyni you’re going to have a blast with the draft next year!

 

[Heyjoe4]

Good point about signings using up comp picks. So I say stay pat, use our comp picks and worry about spending next year when it looks like we'll be in the hunt for sure. The money will still be there. Sign Kraft and worry about other players next year imho.

Agreed. There was discussion on another thread about going after Sweat. That's tempting - to pair him with Parsons. But they extended Watson and Reed, and maybe some other guys i'm missing. Kraft will be next. At some point, all successful teams need to get extraordinary output from guys on rookie deals.

So it is fortunate that Gluten will have 10 plus picks next April.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Although PokerWurst said we don't have to worry about signings affecting our comp picks anymore this year. I just wouldn't do it unless we are pretty sure we would not be able to do better next year

Most signings now aren’t long term and even if two or more years likely a one year and option out rather easily.

If you think Gute is done signing Free Agents, then you don't know Gute. For the next 3 weeks, I expect injuries, as well as poor performances to happen and when they do, there will be new players brought in. Gute and his staff are actively watching the waiver wire, as well as communicating with higher end FA's, always wanting to do things to improve the team.

While I agree with @tynimiller that most of the signings that you see now don't come with a lot of guarantees or years attached to them, I wouldn't rule that out from happening, if it is a higher end free agent.

Besides their opening drives on both Offense and defense, the Packers looked what I would call "rusty" in the Steelers game. That said, I also think there should be some concern on MLF and Gute's part that maybe their depth isn't as good as they had hoped for. Lombardi's aren't won in the preseason, but laying the foundation of a solid team to start the season is.

 

[tynimiller]

If you think Gute is done signing Free Agents, then you don't know Gute. For the next 3 weeks, I expect injuries, as well as poor performances to happen and when they do, there will be new players brought in. Gute and his staff are actively watching the waiver wire, as well as communicating with higher end FA's, always wanting to do things to improve the team.

While I agree with @tynimiller that most of the signings that you see now don't come with a lot of guarantees or years attached to them, I wouldn't rule that out from happening, if it is a higher end free agent.

Besides their opening drives on both Offense and defense, the Packers looked what I would call "rusty" in the Steelers game. That said, I also think there should be some concern on MLF and Gute's part that maybe their depth isn't as good as they had hoped for. Lombardi's aren't won in the preseason, but laying the foundation of a solid team to start the season is.

Only guy I think makes sense to commit real money beyond one year would be Zeitler given Banks cannot even play healthy and see what he is really. Sucks but that’s the gamble FA is and while Gute overall has done awesome that FA class that included Hobbs and Banks is shaping up to be a major hiccup.

Zeitler to me makes a TON of sense for GB UNLESS GB sees monk and Jager both as legit starter ready guys right now.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Hobbs and Banks is shaping up to be a major hiccup.

Hobbs was a total desperation of need signing and yeah that one sucked.

Banks was an obvious overpay and I think most of us knew it at the time. Injuries haven't helped him or the Packers, so that is hard to fault Gute on if it is what eventually makes him a bust. I haven't given up on him just yet.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Hobbs was a total desperation of need signing and yeah that one sucked.

Banks was an obvious overpay and I think most of us knew it at the time. Injuries haven't helped him or the Packers, so that is hard to fault Gute on if it is what eventually makes him a bust. I haven't given up on him just yet.

Hobbs was a big-time bust. Whatever. It's in the past.

I also hold out hope that Banks can be productive, when healthy. I don't follow TC much, so don't know how he's doing. It would be good if they could salvage him.

My understanding going into this season was that he would be the starting LG. Do you have any news on him?

 

[Heyjoe4]

Only guy I think makes sense to commit real money beyond one year would be Zeitler given Banks cannot even play healthy and see what he is really. Sucks but that’s the gamble FA is and while Gute overall has done awesome that FA class that included Hobbs and Banks is shaping up to be a major hiccup.

Zeitler to me makes a TON of sense for GB UNLESS GB sees monk and Jager both as legit starter ready guys right now.

Any news from TC about Banks? Doesn't sound good.

I don't know Zeitler but will look for mention of him. That's for LG, right?

Sounds like Monk is having a very good camp. Rhyan is a relatively well-known player. I think the plan is that he is the starting C, and Monk is outplaying Belton for RG.

As Poker notes, Gluten will be busy for the next three weeks. So changes are still possible, probably likely.

 

[tynimiller]

Hobbs was a total desperation of need signing and yeah that one sucked.

Banks was an obvious overpay and I think most of us knew it at the time. Injuries haven't helped him or the Packers, so that is hard to fault Gute on if it is what eventually makes him a bust. I haven't given up on him just yet.

Banks was more expensive than what I think consensus here had but the signing made a ton of sense…sucks he’s not been or felt healthy at all since being here. Have some mutual friends from south bend of his as he played for ND and I do know he is absolutely beside himself discouraged.

 

[gopkrs]

Banks was more expensive than what I think consensus here had but the signing made a ton of sense…sucks he’s not been or felt healthy at all since being here. Have some mutual friends from south bend of his as he played for ND and I do know he is absolutely beside himself discouraged.

I remember somebody said he watched a lot of sf and that Banks never looked good. That was right after the trade. SF let him go btw.
And now they say Belton doesn't look good. I am totally wondering about our O linemen scouts. And we better be good in drafting them next year imho.

 

[OldSchool101]

The Banks signing was always going to be a bad deal unless he flirted with All Pro levels. Who pays an average OL $20Mil yearly and then extends him when he’s underperforming. It’s like a smaller contract version of David Bakhtiari Part 2.0 but without having the possibility of getting prime David back.

The Good News is Monk returned at the end of last season and played excellent against the Vikings. I’m not too concerned if Aaron Banks just sits for a month or so until he’s ready. We also have John Williams or Jager who have both impressed in Camp or Preseason.

For me it sucks we spent that $$ when there were FA veteran OL we couldve signed at nearly half the $$. We watched as other good and experienced OL transferred around at nearly 50% the cost.

 

[tynimiller]

The Banks signing was always going to be a bad deal unless he flirted with All Pro levels. Who pays an average OL $20Mil yearly and then extends him when he’s underperforming. It’s like a smaller contract version of David Bakhtiari Part 2.0 but without having the possibility of getting prime David back.

The Good News is Monk returned at the end of last season and played excellent against the Vikings. I’m not too concerned if Aaron Banks just sits for a month or so until he’s ready. We also have John Williams or Jager who have both impressed in Camp or Preseason.

For me it sucks we spent that $$ when there were FA veteran OL we couldve signed at nearly half the $$. We watched as other good and experienced OL transferred around at nearly 50% the cost.

They did not extend him, they restructured it. Not defending the action or planting a flag on him in anyway but it is a difference for sure.