2026 Cap Projections and changes

[gopkrs]

I doubt that the Packers want to take on a full $13.8M cap hit this season for LVN, so I expect them to maybe do what they did with Watson. Give him a new 2-3 year deal that blends that $13.8M into it. Maybe something that guarantees him $20M.

Well, carrytheg14 said they already picked up the option. So I would think LVN is in the driver's seat as far as extensions go right now. Maybe they want to see if they really want to sign him long term. He hasn't deserved a big contract yet imho.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Well, carrytheg14 said they already picked up the option. So I would think LVN is in the driver's seat as far as extensions go right now. Maybe they want to see if they really want to sign him long term. He hasn't deserved a big contract yet imho.

I doubt they pick up the option if he wasn't in their long term plans. By picking it up, they have all but guaranteed that he is in Green Bay through the 2027 season.

If they do have him in their plans beyond 2027, then I don't see why they won't try to work out an extension with him. While LVN might like that the 2027 option is a guaranteed amount, he won't see that until the 2027 season starts. If he wants more spending change, he might be open to an extension with immediate guaranteed money.

 

[gopkrs]

Yes, I agree it was a good move
And we are in no hurry to do anything else.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Yes, I agree it was a good move
And we are in no hurry to do anything else.

It won't surprise me if Gute locks up Kraft and Watson in the next 4 months.

 

[gopkrs]

It won't surprise me if Gute locks up Kraft and Watson in the next 4 months.

No. Me either. They are the two big ones. I don't know who else.

 

[milani]

I doubt they pick up the option if he wasn't in their long term plans. By picking it up, they have all but guaranteed that he is in Green Bay through the 2027 season.

If they do have him in their plans beyond 2027, then I don't see why they won't try to work out an extension with him. While LVN might like that the 2027 option is a guaranteed amount, he won't see that until the 2027 season starts. If he wants more spending change, he might be open to an extension with immediate guaranteed money.

LVN is still a ways away from being a name we here called out week to week. Whether that is on him or how the coaching uses him remains to be seen. At any rate it is time for him to get to the next level.

 

[OldSchool101]

It's a pretty big leap of faith to count on Lloyd. I hope that's wrong and he finally gets healthy and plays.

Great thing about RB is most teams have their 3 RB’s already. There’s going to be a handful that have to plop a good one on Practice Squad or cut them. GB will be watching. Most years we’re being hunted, this year we’ll be the hunter.

Also there’s several options in FA and we have a ton of later draft picks if we need to work a future 7th Rounder for first rights to pick our guy off another Roster depth chart

 

[Heyjoe4]

Wild card.

Thanks milani. My bad. It's obvious from your comment what you meant, now that I look at it again.

On that subject, I do like the addition of a 7th WC. What I don't like about that system is that only one team gets a playoff bye. I thought it was better to reward the top two conference teams with a buy, but that won't work with seven playoff spots.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Nobody, including the Packers should "count on" Lloyd. What they can do is hope that he stays healthy and produces like they expected him to when they drafted him. However, they can't count on that and thus need a backup plan.

Agreed. No matter how good Gluten and MLF feel about Lloyd, a RB has to be added between now and the start of camp, at the latest.

I like Jacobs a lot. He brought more than just a good running game to GB, he was/is a leader and the community loves the guy. But it's a hard position and Jacobs plays it straight up. He's gonna run out of gas and so the Packers need to be thinking ahead.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Great thing about RB is most teams have their 3 RB’s already. There’s going to be a handful that have to plop a good one on Practice Squad or cut them. GB will be watching. Most years we’re being hunted, this year we’ll be the hunter.

Also there’s several options in FA and we have a ton of later draft picks if we need to work a future 7th Rounder for first rights to pick our guy off another Roster depth chart

Agreed OS. They will find another RB before TC, or maybe they have to wait for cutdowns. Still scratching my head that Gluten didn't try harder to keep Wilson.

 

[Heyjoe4]

LVN is still a ways away from being a name we here called out week to week. Whether that is on him or how the coaching uses him remains to be seen. At any rate it is time for him to get to the next level.

I was surprised to read today that GB picked up LVN's 5th year option at $14.5 mil. I guess he was improving last year but was bit by the injury bug (along with a lot of other guys.......).

I trust Gluten and so he must see something in LVN. They also added Dennis-Sutton from Penn St and that guy looks very good.

I'd love for LVN to have a huge year. My biggest issue with him is lack of hip flexibility. I'm not sure that can be coached. Regardless, here's to an outstanding year for LVN. And if that's the case, the Packers will have him at a very reasonable salary for 2027, or they can extend him.

 

[milani]

Agreed. No matter how good Gluten and MLF feel about Lloyd, a RB has to be added between now and the start of camp, at the latest.

I like Jacobs a lot. He brought more than just a good running game to GB, he was/is a leader and the community loves the guy. But it's a hard position and Jacobs plays it straight up. He's gonna run out of gas and so the Packers need to be thinking ahead.

Jacobs reminds me a lot of Frank Gore, who had a lot of tread on his tires. Although he did have a couple of major injuries.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

No. Me either. They are the two big ones. I don't know who else.

Devonte Wyatt

I hope they wait on Wyatt. First, he is coming off a pretty severe injury, so lets see how he healed up. Second, The Packers have some young DL talent and if some of them can make the jump, there is no reason to spend a ton of money on Wyatt. I think Wyatt is a good player, but maybe not as good as originally expected. Yet another young Packer player with a lot of potential, but has been derailed by injuries along the way.

 

[OldSchool101]

Agreed OS. They will find another RB before TC, or maybe they have to wait for cutdowns. Still scratching my head that Gluten didn't try harder to keep Wilson.

There’s zero doubt in my mind that Brian has plan B and C and is actively exploring those options at RB. That said there’s a delicate balance. I’ll explain below because I do not want this interpreted as a response to you or anything you said, just a general observation and sprinkled with my opinion on the topic of RB

 

[OldSchool101]

I don’t like responding to a post directly when expressing thoughts that could appear as a rebuttal or debate against that poster when that’s not my intention at all. IMO, the Marshawn Lloyd situation is a sensitive topic in GB, because our GM is certainly responsible to field the best version of talent for our viewing enjoyment. This a business but also an entertainment industry.

All that said. It’s my belief Brian is of high character. I love that about him. If he believes Marshawn Lloyd is working his tail off and hitting uncontrollable circumstances or roadblocks out of his control? Brian is going to stand behind that player as long as possible. Even at scrutiny of a fan like myself, who may or may not agree. These players are real people, with real families and some with heavy ties to other players inside our organization. Im not trying to make Lloyd a Brian Piccolo snd Gayle Sayers story, but in some ways these are micro versions of the difficulty we all face in life. I fully understand people will disagree and I might even be in a minority, but I’ll stake $$ on us older guys and gals in particular have each experienced health hurdles in our own careers or families and so I appeal to that experience.

Thankfully, the Packers put on high regard our players and their success. Not just on the football field. So much so we even seek athletes that have overcome adversity. THIS Marshawn situation is the epitome of adversity. It’s really the perfect opportunity to put in action what it means to Champion life’s hurdle. Yet the real Champion? That’s the guy or gal that stands by your side in your adversity.

 

[milani]

There’s zero doubt in my mind that Brian has plan B and C and is actively exploring those options at RB. That said there’s a delicate balance. I’ll explain below because I do not want this interpreted as a response to you or anything you said, just a general observation and sprinkled with my opinion on the topic of RB

Yes. He knows 2026 will be a unique season. And he is trying to piece it together. New players, new coaches, old players returning mid-season from injury, and the issue of ST make it very challenging. Whereas there are other teams that are so ready to just tee it up from last year.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Jacobs reminds me a lot of Frank Gore, who had a lot of tread on his tires. Although he did have a couple of major injuries.

That's a good comparison. And I think Gore played a lot longer than anyone expected.

Anyway, I certainly hope Jacobs can put an injury-riddled season behind him and get back in the 1000-plus-yard rushing club. He's a good receiver as well. Finally, it's impossible not to feel his enthusiasm for the game and for the Packers.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I don’t like responding to a post directly when expressing thoughts that could appear as a rebuttal or debate against that poster when that’s not my intention at all. IMO, the Marshawn Lloyd situation is a sensitive topic in GB, because our GM is certainly responsible to field the best version of talent for our viewing enjoyment. This a business but also an entertainment industry.

All that said. It’s my belief Brian is of high character. I love that about him. If he believes Marshawn Lloyd is working his tail off and hitting uncontrollable circumstances or roadblocks out of his control? Brian is going to stand behind that player as long as possible. Even at scrutiny of a fan like myself, who may or may not agree. These players are real people, with real families and some with heavy ties to other players inside our organization. Im not trying to make Lloyd a Brian Piccolo snd Gayle Sayers story, but in some ways these are micro versions of the difficulty we all face in life. I fully understand people will disagree and I might even be in a minority, but I’ll stake $$ on us older guys and gals in particular have each experienced health hurdles in our own careers or families and so I appeal to that experience.

Thankfully, the Packers put on high regard our players and their success. Not just on the football field. So much so we even seek athletes that have overcome adversity. THIS Marshawn situation is the epitome of adversity. It’s really the perfect opportunity to put in action what it means to Champion life’s hurdle. Yet the real Champion? That’s the guy or gal that stands by your side in your adversity.

Well said. All I'll add, and your comments support it, I trust Gluten and his team of scouts/advisers. There have been many, many good moves (the Smith Bros, McKinney, trade for Parsons, et al) and very few whiffs (Hobbs). I really liked this draft and liked the risky move to get Smack. Gluten and his team never stand still.

 

[Heyjoe4]

There’s zero doubt in my mind that Brian has plan B and C and is actively exploring those options at RB. That said there’s a delicate balance. I’ll explain below because I do not want this interpreted as a response to you or anything you said, just a general observation and sprinkled with my opinion on the topic of RB

Thanks OS. I agree that Gluten must be comfortable with whatever Lloyd is doing, or has done, this off season. If that wasn't the case, I'm pretty sure Gluten would have released Lloyd for the good of the Packers as well as Lloyd.

Letting Wilson go without an obvious backup plan is unnerving. But as I said elsewhere, I trust Gluten. He'll do something to address RB if he needs to. Can't wait to see Lloyd in TC, PS games, and in the regular season.

 

[PikeBadger]

14.5M is very manageable and imo was a very prudent move

 

[GreenBaySlacker]

Devonte Wyatt

I hope they wait on Wyatt. First, he is coming off a pretty severe injury, so lets see how he healed up. Second, The Packers have some young DL talent and if some of them can make the jump, there is no reason to spend a ton of money on Wyatt. I think Wyatt is a good player, but maybe not as good as originally expected. Yet another young Packer player with a lot of potential, but has been derailed by injuries along the way.

If he keeps playing at that $12/yr area. Would you sign him to long term? Curious if he is going to ask for something ridiculous?

$20m/yr? Buh bye

I love the hargrave signing. Big proven veteran with pass rush ability. Exactly what we needed.

 

[milani]

If he keeps playing at that $12/yr area. Would you sign him to long term? Curious if he is going to ask for something ridiculous?

$20m/yr? Buh bye

I love the hargrave signing. Big proven veteran with pass rush ability. Exactly what we needed.

Wyatt got hurt late last season. So his return may be the latest this season.

 

[GreenBaySlacker]

Wyatt got hurt late last season. So his return may be the latest this season.

Yea his injury was timed very badly for a contract year.

 

[Heyjoe4]

If he keeps playing at that $12/yr area. Would you sign him to long term? Curious if he is going to ask for something ridiculous?

$20m/yr? Buh bye

I love the hargrave signing. Big proven veteran with pass rush ability. Exactly what we needed.

Yeah I liked the Hargrave signing as well. A little risky as he is, I think, 33 y/o but Gluten pretty much knows what he's getting. $13 mil/year isn't cheap, but if Hargrave plays as well as he's played in the past, it's a good investment to a group that could use some veteran depth. And as you note, he's an iDL who can get after the QB.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

If he keeps playing at that $12/yr area. Would you sign him to long term? Curious if he is going to ask for something ridiculous?

$20m/yr? Buh bye

I love the hargrave signing. Big proven veteran with pass rush ability. Exactly what we needed.

He's going to have stay healthy and play at a high level for me to get excited about anything more that $15M/yr.