Packers Get Under The Salary Cap - Details on Jones and Turner
The Packers appear to have gotten under the cap. They did it by departing from a long-cherished principal in the Billy Turner restructure and by pushing cap into 2023 and 2024 in the extension of Aaron Jones.
Billy Turner:
It appeared as though the Packers could only generate a maximum of about $2.55 million by converting base and a $1 million roster bonus into a signing bonus. However, the Packers squeezed out $3.56 million by adding three (count 'em, three) void years. I do not remember a time when the Packers used a void year. Per Ken Ingalls, Turner's contract looks like this:
| Yr. | Base | SB | W/O | GA Bonus | Restructure | Cap | Dead |
| '21 | $1.075M | $2.25M | $350K | $281.25K | $890K | $6.156M | |
| '22 | $5.2M | $2.25M | $350K | $300K | $890K | $5.85M | $5.81M |
| '23 | Void | $890K | N/A | $2.67M | |||
| '24 | Void | $890K | N/A | N/A | |||
| '25 | Void | $890K | N/A | N/A |
Aaron Jones:
Per Tom Pelissero and Field Yates, Aaron Jones will have small cap hits of $4.475 million and $9 million in 2021 and 2022. Jones' cap number balloons to $19.25 million in 2023 and recedes to $15.25 million in 2024. The cap hits total $47.975 million over four years.
| 'Yr | Base | SB | Roster | W/O | GA | Cap | Dead |
| '21 | $1.0M | $3.25M | $50K | $200K | |||
| '22 | $1.1M | $3.25M | $3.75M | $500K | $400K | $9.75M | |
| '23 | $8.1M | $3.25M | $7.0M | $500K | $400K | $19.25M | $6.5M |
| '24 | $11.1M | $3.25M | $500K | $400K | $15.25M | $3.25M |
Jones will receive just over $20 million in his first two years. $20 million appears to be less than two years of a franchise tag. He would have a dead cap charge of $6.5M. There is no indication in the reporting that either roster bonus were guaranteed. Field Yates notes an escalator of $250K for being named to a pro bowl. There is no mention of any incentives.
The Packers are now just under the cap. I have them under it by some $400K and Ken Ingalls in a new tweet puts them at $1.037M under the cap.
Pardon me for suggesting this, but perhaps the Packers had a wee bit of a scramble at the end to get under the cap. It seems so unlike the Packers to use void years that I conclude that something else, probably the extension of Za'Darius Smith that turned into a restructure, did not fall into place quite in time. And for a host of possible reasons, the Packers did not want to disturb the contracts of the other possible sources of cap relief, at least not yet.
For more detailed numbers, click on the link to the Packers Tracker.
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Comments (42)
Thegreatreynoldo
March 17, 2021 at 03:40 pm
I was happy to find a photo of Turner and Jones.
I believe that under the CBA the Packers could still negotiate an extension with ZaDarius this summer if they so desire. Since they did the max on a restructure (short of moving his game active and workout bonus to a signing bonus), I suspect that played a part in sticking three void years on Turner's deal.
Oh well, they are under the cap. Hip, Hip, Hooray! Now to find another $15M to $20M in cap relief. Let's see how all-in the Packers are!
NickPerry
March 18, 2021 at 05:01 am
You know what I would LOVE to see??
I would LOVE to see Rodgers take a PAY CUT! ust step up and tell Gute hey, I want to win another SB MORE than make that extra $20 million. Brady does it and it was always said because Giselle makes MORE money than him so no big deal. Personally when you're taking about monopoly money does it matter?
Rodgers is always taking about being a leader and he KNOWS the Packers need relief. Talk about a way to be one of if not the MOST beloved Packers of all time. Go in and take LESS Rodgers. Take less with the promise by Gute h'll use it to BUY talent and lets go win 2 more before you leave!
You have ENOUGH money for God sakes!!
HankScorpio
March 18, 2021 at 05:20 am
That would be something. But it is a lot easier to say that about other people's money than to do it with your own.
Pizzadoc
March 17, 2021 at 04:09 pm
Always enjoy and learn from your posts, TGR.
mattgsx
March 17, 2021 at 04:25 pm
Wow. You have to assume there is a player, who dominates 20% if the cap, who was unwilling to talk restructure without adding years or additional pay to reflect current market values.
Hoping they can work out a long term solution with Z, because that 2022 cap hit is going to complicate keeping some key players currently playing on cheap deals.
CheesyTex
March 17, 2021 at 07:18 pm
You're probably right about #12, mattgsx.
But hot stove league dreamers like me hold out hope that he sees this as the opportunity to cement his legacy by helping fill the holes. With Allstate chipping in big endorsement $, maybe less than 20% plus some say in who is added would satisfy him. (For those old enough to remember, think tune of "Beautiful Dreamer").
P.S. Thanks, TGR. Always appreciate your insights.
Fubared
March 17, 2021 at 10:23 pm
Ya you can bet Gutt will be drafting their replacements and not trying to fill needs. That seems to be his mantle, look who you cant afford the following year and draft his cheaper replacement, Thus, were not going to get that receiver, pass rusher, linebacker and corner we covet in the draft unless those guys are leaving next year.
jannesbjornson
March 17, 2021 at 11:56 pm
How did that work with Jones?
flackcatcher
March 17, 2021 at 06:11 pm
Thanks TGR for keeping up for us here on CHTV. And yes, the Packers are all in. Looks like this year and a option for next if the Cap drops their way. Otherwise, a rebuild will take place starting in 2024. (or 2023 if the wheels fall off early) How deep the rebuild goes depends on two factors. 1) This upcoming draft. With 10 picks the ability to move up is there if Gute wants. This draft will be the base for this team moving forward in the next 5 year cycle. 2) Matt Lafleur. There are real questions concerning the Gutekunst-Lafleur relationship that must be sorted out before Lafleur's contract expires at the end of this season. Despite, or because of the Packers record, Gutekunst may want to go in a different direction along with the rebuild. But those are open questions that the Packers must consider later. Going to be a fun, and interesting season.
Daren726
March 17, 2021 at 06:31 pm
You got to be kidding about a different direction than Lafleur. He’s not going anywhere.
jhtobias
March 17, 2021 at 07:30 pm
Need a Source or your just a Troll
JerseyAl
March 17, 2021 at 08:22 pm
LaFleur has a four year contract with a team option for a fifth. There has be zero indication from anyone associated with the team or that covers the team of any issues with Gutey and LaFleur. So, are you just making stuff up? Read it on a message board? Dreamt it? Which is it?
flackcatcher
March 18, 2021 at 07:26 am
Read my reply below. All I have done is point out the dynamics of the relationship and the context. The final call is Gutekunst's as was pointed out to me. Most business partnerships have rough patches too. Gutekunst and Lafleur are no different in that respect. I just pointed out that the Packers have some very hard choices ahead of them. Better to understand the possibility than hide from them.
dobber
March 17, 2021 at 09:00 pm
"Despite, or because of the Packers record, Gutekunst may want to go in a different direction along with the rebuild. "
If only the GM had the power in GB to hire and fire the head coach...
flackcatcher
March 18, 2021 at 07:41 am
The executive committee has the final call. But who is the committee listening to. Under the old structure, Wolf or Thompson was delegated the power by the committee. Frankly, I don't know. I assume the committee reverted to the old structure when they hired Gutekunst over Murphy's objections. And why did Murphy object to Gutekunst's hire in the first place. A lot of unanswered questions there.
Cotreq
March 17, 2021 at 06:42 pm
Flackcatcher - what is your source for the Guty-LaFleur relationship comment. I read a lot of Packers stuff and I haven't seen anything suggesting a riff. Might be real I just haven't seen it anywhere.
flackcatcher
March 18, 2021 at 01:28 am
Some talk around front office people I know about the Gute-MLF relationship. How Lafleur was hired has been an ongoing sore spot for Gutekunst, and Lafleur was misled by Mark Murphy on what power he would have as Head Coach. Winning cures a lot and allows papering over the differences. But the friction over former DC Mike Pettine got only worse over the last two years. Just like something had to give between Pettine and Lafleur, the same dynamic is at play between Lafleur and Gutekunst. So much so in Lafleur's pressers in his sniping over his then DC. Doesn't help the guy who hired and retained him is your GM and Boss. What's interesting is in Gute's pressers over the past year he hardly mentions Lafleur at all, and then only in passing or if directly asked at all. One would think that after making a second straight appearance in the NFC championship game Lafleur would be in for praise from his GM. Instead, mostly silence afterword. As an aside, Packer President Mark Murphy contract is up soon, and Gutekunst's is up in 2024. So it's possible we could see a wholesale clean out at 1265. Not likely, but possible.
PeteK
March 17, 2021 at 06:50 pm
TGR great job weaving through one of most hectic preseason periods. I believe there are still some player movement possibilities that could produce a bit of cap space for a veteran CB. Glad they're waiting as contracts get lower. Ugh, they still have to make room for RFA, UFA, and draft picks.
Lphill
March 17, 2021 at 07:53 pm
Packers cap crying yet the Vikings in cap hell sign Tomlinson and Patrick Petersen , just amazing how other teams make it happen.
13TimeChamps
March 17, 2021 at 08:12 pm
Vikings always seem to win the off season trophy. Lombardi's not so much. Actually, not at all.
Please explain how the Vikings have "made it happen" during the salary cap era. I'll wait.
Lphill
March 17, 2021 at 08:43 pm
You tell me how did the Packers make it happen ? Unless the playoffs and losing 4 championship games is some kind of achievement because at the end of the day they are sitting home like the Vikings watching the super bowl on tv.
13TimeChamps
March 17, 2021 at 09:19 pm
They make it happen by being competitive pretty much every year for the past 30 years. Maybe 3 or 4 other teams (out of 32) can make that claim. 2021 will be no different. As a fan, I enjoy that. Too bad you can't.
JerseyAl
March 17, 2021 at 08:27 pm
The Vikings had over 9M in salary cap space as they entered the free agency period. Money to sign free agents. That's not "hell." What the Packers were in was hell, which is why they've had to do what they've been doing, and it's not over yet.
Lphill
March 17, 2021 at 08:48 pm
Vikings had to te structure Barr to get under , the D tackle Tomlinson and now signing Patrick Petersen were the players the Packers would have really benefited from had they signed them .
JerseyAl
March 17, 2021 at 08:56 pm
If the Packers had 9M of free space then they could have done it too, but they didn't, so there is no comparison to be made. The Vikings were in better shape to start with cap space because they let a bunch of players go last season, which is why they sucked, especially on defense. The Packers could have done the same thing, but then they wouldn't have been 13-3 and made it to the NFCCG. Which scenario do you prefer, the Packers' or the Vikings'?
Lphill
March 18, 2021 at 12:01 am
I would like to win the super bowl call me crazy I guess .
flackcatcher
March 18, 2021 at 01:53 am
Gute is trying to hold the playoff window open as long as he can. If anything, you should be praising both him and Russ Ball for quickly rebounding and putting this team in position for a Superbowl run. And they did it with an increasingly smaller Cap caused by the Rodgers extension in 2017. And barring mass injury, they'll get another shot this year. This is not routine. This is an elite organization that deserves every bit of the praise they get from around the league. Heck, the Vikings had to cut core players to get under the Cap to rebuild. The Bears signed another QB to patch their offense and are about to go into Cap Hell. And the Lions...forever rebuilding. You want to be them. Be glad the Packers are not.
Lphill
March 18, 2021 at 08:38 am
Maybe if Gute drafted an impact player in the first round last year things would be different it seems many here are happy just making the playoffs. I'm tired of the playoff failures.
HankScorpio
March 18, 2021 at 05:10 am
It's not crazy to want to win a SB.
It's crazy to use what the Vikings do as guide book to that end. Perhaps you have not heard but they have never won a SB. You can google it if you don't believe me. If you only followed football in the offseason, there is no way you would be believe me. They are perennial offseason champions, at least according to the Packer fans circles I have followed for the last 25 years on the internet.
But yeah, they are still waiting on actual hardware to put in that trophy case. I reckon they do have some of those Halas trophy things. But none from those 25 years mentioned above.
4thandinches
March 17, 2021 at 11:27 pm
Too bad we 'wasted' all that money extending our own good players. Maybe if we had fewer of them we could make a splash in fa like the vikings...
cms
March 17, 2021 at 09:24 pm
Just a thought...could Rogers be asking for a no trade clause? Certainly he should have some pointed questions of the FO after last season about his role going forward.
dobber
March 17, 2021 at 09:01 pm
Here's this week's drumbeat...
HankScorpio
March 18, 2021 at 05:12 am
Not that I'm the spelling police, which is the last thing I am qualified to be. But did you mean "this weak drumbeat"?
Fubared
March 17, 2021 at 10:31 pm
Zimmer last year cut a rookie kicker who missed three kicks. When asked why didnt he keep the guy and let him develop, his answer "were in the win now mode not the development mode'.
Spielman is the best GM in the game. When the team has a need, he fills it. Now.
This team retooled the whole defensive backfield and the O line in two years via free agents and drafting smartly.
One secret, when someone who has worth, play drops off, they trade the person, not cut him, trade him for picks. Bundle those picks and move up in the draft for talent. Brilliant.
Last the Vikes covet drafting smart people. They are the least penalized team in football year in year out. Smart guys.
4thandinches
March 17, 2021 at 11:35 pm
What objective statistic over what timeframe would you use to support your claim that the Vikings are a better run organization than the Packers? Winning percentage, division titles, Superbowl victories all go to the Packers over just about any timeframe I can conjure up... Is your point that we should have cut Crosby a few years back and traded Rodgers at the end of 2017? Smart guy. Guess you're playing chess and I just got these checkers (and memories of my favorite team winning a couple Superbowls)...
13TimeChamps
March 18, 2021 at 08:49 am
Wouldn't the "best GM in the game" have a few Lombardi trophies by now?
PeteK
March 18, 2021 at 09:09 am
They are a solid team. Brilliant is trading for Favre and drafting Rodgers.
Packer_Fan
March 17, 2021 at 08:35 pm
There is more yet to come. FA signings won't be big names, just competent players. And we need some of the young players to take a big step like Tonyan did this year. Like perhaps Keke and Gary
Fubared
March 17, 2021 at 10:35 pm
I asked why? Why do we always have a host of guys that need time. Why cant we bundle picks, move up in the draft and get talent that starts and plays at a high level instead of relying on third and fourth rounders and un drafteds who make mistakes, often dont work out, waste time in development and dont contribute to the success of the team.
PeteK
March 18, 2021 at 09:32 am
I guess we wasted time on Williams, Tonyan, Lazard , Patrick, Barnes, all FAs. I'm not even mentioning all the low drat picks that became stars. A key to maintaining a winning team is developing low picks into starters and pro bowlers.
Since'61
March 18, 2021 at 09:17 am
First TGR, thanks again for all of your hard and on going excellent efforts during what has become a pretty hectic off-season of contract restructurings. Secondly, we are in the cap situation that we are in because of the Covid pandemic, not because of poor management by the Packers. Had the cap increased for 2021 we would not have been in great shape but we would have been better off going into the FA period than we have been.
Since Covid and the resulting salary cap decrease were not under anyone's control it's really not fair to be blaming Gute or others for not signing FAs like Tomlinson or others to help our roster at this point. I think it's pretty amazing that Gute was able to keep A. Jones and restructure some of the other contracts to keep our roster pretty much intact.
Trying to compare what the Packers are or are not doing is pointless since every team is in a different situation relative to the salary cap and their own roster needs.
As for AR, if the plan is for him to remain in GB then a restructure is coming. It has to. There is literally no other way the Packers can afford to keep him without restructuring his contract even with significant salary cap increases over the next few seasons.
Thanks, Since '61
PeteK
March 18, 2021 at 09:16 am
Hahahahaha, You guys should form a comedy team, Ernesto and Dene.