$25M sign bonus, probably subtracts $5M for this year in signing bonus. Its an ext so his contract for this year remains in place. If they kept that as is, the 5M bonus should be the only affect on this years cap. Next year is the bigger question, since we probably will see a reduction in the salary cap.

"IMO Turner is cut so Bak gets his coin."

Not 'til after 2020. Cutting him prior to that accelerates an extra $1.6M to the 2020 cap.

With his age and production and Considering what some of the top lineman have been getting I felt it was a fair deal for the Packers, maybe even a lil home discount.

Dp

Um, the smiths are pretty damm good. 3 studs on the dline are more than most have. I’m all for improving anyway possible, but we have plenty next to Clark

It's all about structure. Where's the annual salary? -- Likely back-loaded.

As it stands, a $25M signing bonus means a little over $5M plus whatever his 2020 salary will be. His cap hit under the 5th year option is about $7.7M, so a backloaded salary potentially gets the worst of his hit out from under the ARod umbrella. I doubt this deal gets the Packers any relief in 2020, but it likely isn't eating up a huge chunk of it, either.

How should this deal have been done "a few years ago"?

Clark still had 2020 left in his rookie contract.

Yup...first domino to fall. They're all linked.

Clark is young, King is young and pretty good when he can stay on the field. Jones is a huge play maker for offense but I don't see him resigned for big $$. Bak is on the older end of things, that is why I see him walk. It's his last big contract and he will not be a team friendly salary break guy with Rodgers career up in the air. It's about the next 4 years and that is no Rodgers and no Bak. D. Adams contract is up next season.

Both Clark and Bahktiari are must signs. You don't let great players in their prime leave! They will still get Bahktiari signed, especially OT can play at a very high level, Pro Bowl or All Pro into their 30's. Clark is just the first...

Jones can get extended if he accepts an Eckler type contract (4 yrs 24M approximate value). That's up to him. No way the Packers will pay Jones 9M or more per year. But that is up to Jones. Given they just drafted 3 Interior OL I would guess Linsley will be allowed to leave in FA.

CB is a premium position so they will try to bring KIng back unless he's injured again or plays at a Pro Bowl level, at which point he would probably price himself out of the Packers ability to pay him commensurate w/ play. But CB play is vital to the defense and King is a good starter, not great. They might be able to pay King, but that will be after the season. It will depend on if another CB steps up or now and The pandemic lowering the cap makes it difficult.

Turner and Lindsley will be moved by 2021, maybe earlier to make room for Bhaktiari's final deal. They can wait on him a bit to see how his body holds up. King is a challenge to sign w/out viewing his 2020 season, but he is ascending.

Tauscher and Clifton played very well for the Packers into their 30's. They'll get Bahktiari signed to another 3 or 4 yr ext. OG generally have more trouble staying healthy and Bahk has virtually no injury history to speak of.

Jones could be back if he accepts an Eckler type contract (4 yrs 24M). If he wants more let him leave. RB and a dime a dozen.

Well they got him signed didn't they? You have to pay players commensurate with the play. If they player is the best NT in the NFL you have to pay him as such. The magic is in getting the deal done! That is all that matters. They didn't have to let a great player leave. What don't you understand?

Is the Trump flu......but you already knew.....

Don't get tied up in the "highest paid" tag, he's a legit nose tackle, and worth every penny.

ask and I shall receive, lol.

Uncanny timing, TGR.

So you're not a fan of the contract structure is what I'm getting out of this.

As for the contract, its an extension to the remain amount he was scheduled to be paid for "20, approx 7.5M would get included in the 37M that would leave about 4M that would likely be part of his pay for '21.

Clark is among the top 5 Interior DL in the NFL. Whether he is a NT or DT is really immaterial IMO. On passing downs he is a DT, not necessarily a NT. I have no problem w/ 17.5M AAV, its actually close to expected. He's not the 20-20 M range like Donald or Jones. Can you name 3 interior DL that are clearly better? Fletcher Cox would be one, Chris Jones and Donald of course, after that I can't think of any off the top of my head. That puts him at #4 for interior DL, unless you know of others.

Can you define "cap friendly." Since the big crunch is likely to be in 2021, I'd say cap-friendly means low cap hits in 2020 and 2021 (and big hits in 2022 and beyond). Clark's min. cap hit for 2020 is $5.91M, but GB likes game active bonuses and likes workout bonuses (which would be applicable for 2021 and beyond), so Clark's cap number is probably in the $6M to 8M range for 2020.

What will Clark's cap number be in 2021? What does it mean (in terms of Gute's philosophy as to win now versus stay competitive and hope lightning strikes vs looking at 2022 and beyond) if it is a small number versus a big number for 2021?

At any rate, GB has a history of the first year of new money being 50% to 70% of AAV (I should check that but my time is limited at the moment). 50% would translate to an $8.75M cap hit in 2021 and 70% to $12.25M. I do think Clark's cap number for 2020 and 2021 combined will be revealing.

Damn straight!!

No. Gute paid the rate for an ascending player who is already in the top 5 in his position. Clarke is already an elite player who can play every position in the DL and can drop back in coverage. For the Pettine system, he is that rare player who makes the system work. Giving his growth, there is an excellent chance that like Jordy Nelson, or if you like, the Smith Bros, Clarke will out play his contract. Then Clarke's signing would be cheap at the price. We will just have to wait and see.

Clark is an absolute beast in the center of the line.
It's been a long time since the Packers have had an anchor like Kenny. He's supremely talented, a workhorse, and he's also still quite young in a position where players often don't peak until 30.

Considering the price tags flying around this offseason, $17 M / year is a fair price, and actually what I predicted he was going to land. A lot of people were predicting he'd play out 2020 and earn $20+M / year in free agency.

I think this signing is great for both parties. Go Pack.

Cap hell is right but all teams have to play with the same number and rest assured it will be spread out over years.