Three potential cuts for the Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers — one of 14 teams over the NFL’s $224.8 million salary cap in 2023 —  have a bit of work to do to go from $21.079 million over the cap to cap-compliant by the start of the season. Of course, quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his $31.62 million cap hit and $59.46 million in guaranteed salary could determine how Green Bay approaches free agency and the draft. The Packers still have a few options to help create some wiggle room money-wise.

Here are three potential players the Packers could cut to create more cap space:

David Bakhtiari, tackle

The 31-year-old Bakhtiari has had an impressive run in Green Bay that includes two First-Team All-Pros, three Second-Team All-Pros and three Pro Bowls. However, he hasn’t been able to stay healthy recently, missing 26 games over the last three seasons.

He’ll be 32 next season with a cap hit of $28.8 million, and the potential $17.2 million the Packers could save with a post-June 1 release might be too enticing to pass up. Zach Tom had a solid account of himself in nine games this season and presents a much younger, cheaper option. There will be affordable options in free agency including Isaiah Wynn, Andre Dillard or Riley Reiff.

Preston Smith, defensive tackle

Smith by no means had a bad season in 2022. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. He led the team in sacks (10) and recorded the second-most pressures (42) and third-most hurries (19). He has the disadvantage of carrying a $13.04 million cap hit next year.

And for a team looking to clear money in chunks, Smith could be a cap casualty. A post-June 1 cut would cost only $2.4 million in dead money, but it would save Green Bay $10.6 million. 

The 2023 NFL Draft is one of the deepest in years, and the Packers could likely find a comparable replacement in Rounds 2-4, or Green Bay can roll with what it currently has at DT in Jarran Reed, Dean Lowry and 2022 first-round pick Devonte Wyatt, who combined for 58 pressures and seven sacks.

Kenny Clark, defensive tackle

Like Smith, Clark carries a high cap hit ($23.97 million) and could open a large chunk of money if released post-June 1 ($16.25 million). Unlike Smith, Clark is younger (27 as opposed to 30), and it can be argued that his best football may still be ahead of him.

Clark led the Packers in pressures (45) and hurries (32), and he was third on the team in sacks (five) in 2022. He may be worth keeping around to pair with Reed or Wyatt in the middle of Green Bay’s defensive line, but no one would blame Green Bay for wanting to bank the $16 million-plus releasing him would create either.