The salary cap will rise to $155 million in 2016, according to NFL Network.
That’s nearly a $12 million increase over 2015, when the cap was $143.28 million.
What does that mean for the Packers?
Not much.
Everyone knew the salary cap was going to increase this year. The initial estimations put the cap at $154 million, so this just gives the Packers and everyone else an extra $1 million for their calculations.
It was calculated that Green Bay had slightly more than $23 million in available salary cap space entering the offseason, so now they have slightly more than $24 million.
While that may seem like a lot, it’s just the 18th-most available space in the NFL.
Five teams have more than $50 million available, including the Chicago Bears, and two of those teams — Jacksonville and Oakland — have more than $70 million of cap space available.
The good news for the Packers is they’ve already taken care of two of their own free agent priorities, signing defensive linemen Mike Daniels and Letroy Guion to long-term extensions.
Their only remaining priority from this year’s class of free agents is kicker Mason Crosby.
We are salary cap healthy? Wow, had no idea we were ranked so low. Are we overpaying anybody? Lol
I know. With how stingy Ted is you would think we were at least top ten, if not top five.
That guy talking to Ted, “Moose, Rocko, help the judge find his checkbook.”
We need to extend HHCD before he gets a big price tag. I know it’s a little early but he’s a fuckin beast
Would like to see us pick up either T Hali or D Johnson from the Chiefs. Both are old and not going to be asking for a lot. Hali would be an upgrade to whoever we have at OLB, even Clay. Johnson would make more sense, move clay back to OLB and have Ryan as MLB2. Our defense would be pretty stout then.
I would like too see them sign anyone. Hopefully on defense. Bring back everyone except Neal and sign 2 more defenders. And a couple average tight ends and offensive tackles.
What this means is significant. It means teams have money to sign their best players. It means the only free agents that will hit the market are going to be those that have issues.
Von Miller is not going to hit free agency. JJ Watt is not going to hit free agency. Julio Jones is not going to hit free agency.
You can wish for Thompson to spend, spend, spend, but there’s just no Reggie White available.