2026 Cap Projections and changes

[tynimiller]

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.

If its the guy I remember it was a Niner guy that swung in here - however it was clear Gute and co. saw him projecting upward and honestly maybe he was but sadly for his sake it appears that is an unknown that will stay unknown given his health unable to get right. You miss any shot not taken and it's just the gamble of FA...crazy to think we might have been better off paying Jenkins to continue his slow decent than Banks...

 

[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 and Banks are the biggest stains on Gluten's FA acquisitions. Overall Gluten has done very well in FA and with acquisitions. I'm still holding out some hope Banks can be a contributor.

I'm more concerned about Belton's regression.

 

[gopkrs]

If its the guy I remember it was a Niner guy that swung in here - however it was clear Gute and co. saw him projecting upward and honestly maybe he was but sadly for his sake it appears that is an unknown that will stay unknown given his health unable to get right. You miss any shot not taken and it's just the gamble of FA...crazy to think we might have been better off paying Jenkins to continue his slow decent than Banks...

Hard to believe Banks wasn't even healthy for 1 game. Not hard to believe he never played really well. For me, not a stretch to worry about our evaluations of potential O line players. I'm a little tired of how well we draft and develop. I don't see it. If that were the case; every year we would have somebody stepping up. That doesn't happen unless stepping up to mediocrity counts. We just don't make holes or move D linemen. This year we weren't able to focus on O line. I hope we make some good decisions next year. This year imho we have to HOPE we put players in their proper positions and that they stay healthy. I do like Kinnard as a sub.

 

[mradtke66]

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.

Belton hasn't looked good at guard. He was a college tackle, it very well could be he's just going to be a better tackle. No problem in that outcome.

 

[tynimiller]

Hard to believe Banks wasn't even healthy for 1 game. Not hard to believe he never played really well. For me, not a stretch to worry about our evaluations of potential O line players. I'm a little tired of how well we draft and develop. I don't see it. If that were the case; every year we would have somebody stepping up. That doesn't happen unless stepping up to mediocrity counts. We just don't make holes or move D linemen. This year we weren't able to focus on O line. I hope we make some good decisions next year. This year imho we have to HOPE we put players in their proper positions and that they stay healthy. I do like Kinnard as a sub.

(draft and develop)
If being a perrenial playoff contender and to many a super bowl contender despite being one of the youngest teams doesn't qualify a team for being able to draft and develop I'll gladly join the opposition of that thought. I think many, and understandably so, expect All Pro level growth out of so many. We are also witnessing two examples of the draft and develop (potential) success in Monk and Burton. Every time asked about Burton it seems MLF and other coaches always point to Monk as well. Those two are actually putting pressure on staff to potentially have one of the most expensive backups there is when Banks comes back.

(holes part)
Typically, not always but typically, a team or an offense has a strength in either pass-pro or run blocking...GB for years has had some of the highest level QB play there has been, so it only is natural a strength or a direction we lean is in pass pro...now that isn't to say we can't be a good run team and be better at point of contact, blocking technique and all of the other facets in the run game beyond just OL play but still...you're likely always going to see a team lean one way or another.

(offensive line this year)
I concur to a point the we weren't able to focus on OLine but you then also gotta realize the team resigned Rhyan keeping a known commodity at center in a year we were for sure seeing influx with Jenkins absolutely to most not worth resigning at his regression...fiscally made sense to move on from Rasheed who never got better than his first starting year in favor of pushing Morgan to be what you drafted him for. But we also secured Kinnard (RFA) for another year, drafted Jager Burton in an otherwise limited pick year and knew we had John Williams also coming back from injury who the team was decently high on.

Now I still think OL is the spot we could still see some fiscal committment to...just a hair ahead of CB only because Nixon is still on the team. I wouldn't be shocked if team suspects Banks is down for extended time we see a guard signed for sure.



Also FTR I'm sure Banks has felt pretty okay some weeks but it hasn't been a lot, that much I know for sure.

 

[gopkrs]

Belton hasn't looked good at guard. He was a college tackle, it very well could be he's just going to be a better tackle. No problem in that outcome.

No, except they keep trying to put square things in round holes. Doesn't give me much confidence in their abilities either to draft or to coach.

 

[tynimiller]

No, except they keep trying to put square things in round holes. Doesn't give me much confidence in their abilities either to draft or to coach.

I think the Belton pick was a combination of three things that were facts at the time: They still had Rasheed at LT, were hoping Morgan would possibly excel or be better at guard for the future if necessary AND they were shocked he was still there when they picked him.

The issue is now we know Belton appears not best at being a interior guy, Morgan is similar...hindsight for sure 20/20

 

[gopkrs]

I think the Belton pick was a combination of three things that were facts at the time: They still had Rasheed at LT, were hoping Morgan would possibly excel or be better at guard for the future if necessary AND they were shocked he was still there when they picked him.

The issue is now we know Belton appears not best at being a interior guy, Morgan is similar...hindsight for sure 20/20

Oh. Big surprise. They drafted 2 rated tackles and they turned out to be tackles.

 

[mradtke66]

Oh. Big surprise. They drafted 2 rated tackles and they turned out to be tackles.

At the same time TJ Lang and Josh Sitton were college tackles. Ditto Tony Moll and Darren Colledge (sp?).

It isn't a bad idea to draft college tackles who don't project to pro tackle. It's worked well for us in the past and the makes some sense. It is typical the best college lineman ends up at LT because it's important. Get them later in the draft. Maybe you find a diamond in the rough, maybe a swing tackle, maybe you kick them into guard.

At the same time, I think Belton at guard was a default move. Morgan feel flat, Rhyan moved to center, and we were left with no other options. Belton it was. He played okay, particularly for not taking any TC snaps at guard. In 2026, other guys are playing better so they pull him.

 

[gopkrs]

I just looked it up and except for Colledge, who was a reach, each of those players were drafted in the 4th or 5th round. That makes more sense to me if you are going to convert a tackle to a guard. If I remember correctly, Belton was a high 2nd rounder. Anyway, I'm 2nd guessing which I really don't like to do. I just have not seen the kind of O line I would like to have for a long time it seems.

 

[tynimiller]

I just looked it up and except for Colledge, who was a reach, each of those players were drafted in the 4th or 5th round. That makes more sense to me if you are going to convert a tackle to a guard. If I remember correctly, Belton was a high 2nd rounder. Anyway, I'm 2nd guessing which I really don't like to do. I just have not seen the kind of O line I would like to have for a long time it seems.

Yeah Belton was a second rounder.

 

[gopkrs]

Yeah Belton was a second rounder.

I said high 2nd rounder. Like almost in the 1st round.

 

[mradtke66]

I just looked it up and except for Colledge, who was a reach, each of those players were drafted in the 4th or 5th round. That makes more sense to me if you are going to convert a tackle to a guard. If I remember correctly, Belton was a high 2nd rounder. Anyway, I'm 2nd guessing which I really don't like to do. I just have not seen the kind of O line I would like to have for a long time it seems.

Two different issues.

Belton playing guard: I think he got the job in 2025 due to a lack of options. I can't be upset about that, he did well enough. In 2026, other players are better options. I'm still not upset about that.

The kind of line you'd like to see: Who was the line you'd like to see?

 

[tynimiller]

I said high 2nd rounder. Like almost in the 1st round.

Not really. 54th. I was merely commenting in reply to the way you phrased it with if I remember correctly.

 

[gopkrs]

Two different issues.

Belton playing guard: I think he got the job in 2025 due to a lack of options. I can't be upset about that, he did well enough. In 2026, other players are better options. I'm still not upset about that.

The kind of line you'd like to see: Who was the line you'd like to see?

I'm complaining too much. We have a good team and if we play our cards right, next year will be better. I do get tired of hearing how we draft and develop O line. I just don't see it. Tom, for instance, should have started day one. I say that to point out he wasn't developed by us.

 

[tynimiller]

I'm complaining too much. We have a good team and if we play our cards right, next year will be better. I do get tired of hearing how we draft and develop O line. I just don't see it. Tom, for instance, should have started day one. I say that to point out he wasn't developed by us.

OR.....he was developed and that's why he eventually couldn't be avoided as a starter? lol who knows. Fact is we seem to churn OL youngins in quite a bit and get adaquate to above average play out of them.

 

[gopkrs]

OR.....he was developed and that's why he eventually couldn't be avoided as a starter? lol who knows. Fact is we seem to churn OL youngins in quite a bit and get adaquate to above average play out of them.

Not opening holes is not good.

 

[mradtke66]

Tom, for instance, should have started day one. I say that to point out he wasn't developed by us.

I dont understand how that follows. He started 5 games as a rookie and all 17 next year.

Billy Turner was the starting RT in 2022 (Zach’s rookie year). I don’t see how they could have played it better.

 

[gopkrs]

I dont understand how that follows. He started 5 games as a rookie and all 17 next year.

Billy Turner was the starting RT in 2022 (Zach’s rookie year). I don’t see how they could have played it better.

Tom could have started as a rookie. The only reason they started him was because there was an injury. I remember that he played at least 2 games at L tackle and was excellent. They don't seem to know what they have until they are forced to use them imho. I said they did not develop him because he could play right out of college. I don't think they can take credit for that. It was a good draft pick. I don't think as a tackle though

 

[mradtke66]

Tom could have started as a rookie. The only reason they started him was because there was an injury. I remember that he played at least 2 games at L tackle and was excellent. They don't seem to know what they have until they are forced to use them imho. I said they did not develop him because he could play right out of college. I don't think they can take credit for that. It was a good draft pick. I don't think as a tackle though

I’m more confused than before.

Good enough to start isn’t the same as one of the best five. At least when camp broke.

Why do you think he wasn’t a good pick at tackle after having it locked down and getting a sizable extension?

 

[gopkrs]

I didn't say that. I said I don't think they drafted him as a tackle. But I don't know. I think he was a 5th rounder. I remember somebody on the draft thread was calling for him.

 

[gopkrs]

I’m more confused than before.

Good enough to start isn’t the same as one of the best five. At least when camp broke.

Why do you think he wasn’t a good pick at tackle after having it locked down and getting a sizable extension?

And well, he did so well when he played left tackle, I'd be hard pressed to say he shouldn't have started. I remember one year in the playoffs I think against tampa. We moved Turner to left tackle where he was bad and moved another bad lineman to right tackle. So for that game we ended up with both tackies being bad instead of at least keeping Turner on the right where he was at least good. Probably before Tom though. The only time for a long time that I have felt comfortable with O line coaching was Stenavich. Fans liked Campen but I never did. He taught pass blocking and we rarely run blocked well.

 

[OldSchool101]

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.

Ok fine. The point being is while that restructure gave us some immediate cap relief, it also in turn pushed more $$ into future years. Matter of fact he (Banks) has void years that go through the 2030 season. Thats 5 years of Cap hits committed.

I understand the premise of freeing up capital. I just think we could’ve freed up $6mil instead of $12.5Mil on his deal in particular and looked under other rocks for more. Instead we’re 100% locked through 2027 and a very hard Contract out of $16.3mil dead in 2028. That’s becomes a 4 year deal starting in 2025. The effect is similar to a 1+ year extension. Earlier we had a medium contract out in 2027 and in March that became a hard out in 2028.

 

[OldSchool101]

This is simply my opinion but GB kinda sucked at OL in 2025. Belton only played like 7 Starts at RG in 2025, so if we’re going to make a change I’d rip the bandaid off with 3 weeks to go there’s time to adjust. I understand we want to get Belton on the field, but let’s not force a Round Tackle into a Square Guard. Give him an extra year to develop and keep him at #2 LT/RT to give him continuity. Get the best 5 players out there now is my point.

If I can get 95% of the play performance or better using Jager Burton, Jacob Monk or John Williams at RG I’m going that route to get them experience. That’s a Win because we’d have a solid backup in Belton with experience for 2026. I also just gave a gut feeling that Burton is at least an average Starter and he looks like a future Guard or at minimum Jon Runyon Jr level. Possibility he’s better.

 

[tynimiller]

Ok fine. The point being is while that restructure gave us some immediate cap relief, it also in turn pushed more $$ into future years. Matter of fact he (Banks) has void years that go through the 2030 season. Thats 5 years of Cap hits committed.

I understand the premise of freeing up capital. I just think we could’ve freed up $6mil instead of $12.5Mil on his deal in particular and looked under other rocks for more. Instead we’re 100% locked through 2027 and a very hard Contract out of $16.3mil dead in 2028. That’s becomes a 4 year deal starting in 2025. The effect is similar to a 1+ year extension. Earlier we had a medium contract out in 2027 and in March that became a hard out in 2028.

All the void years won't hit, as he likely is in final year or more likely one more give fiscal connected to him. They'll roll forward to like void years do once walked from.

His health has clearly made Gute and company not a fan of the signing for sure and they had to do something to lesson his blow some.