The Green Bay Packers created savings of nearly $ 9 million in salary caps by releasing Christian Kirksey and offensive striker Rick Wagner on Friday.
The moves were largely expected, given the current state of the Packers’ salary cap. The team still needs to raise about $ 12 million to go below the maximum by next month. They have reasonable ways to pay more, although the remaining options are not as simple as cutting Kirksey and Wagner or restructuring David Bakhtiari’s agreement.
While headaches are part of the business, especially during this unique off-season, each drop in the player creates a ripple effect for the prospects of the roster.
At this point, it was obvious that the players of Kirksey lowered the tempo and became more defensively oriented.
Signed to provide a veteran defender for former defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, Kirksey fought early, missed five games in a chest injury and was eventually replaced as the team’s No. 1 defender. He intercepted two passes and produced two sacks, but ranked as one of the worst defenders inside the NFL at Pro Football Focus in the 2020 season.
Packers have a young depth in the back line. Krys Barnes and Kamal Martin have played extensively as beginners, and both Ty Summers and Oren Burks are key contributors to the special teams. The returning group should not stop CEO Brian Gutekunst from adding more functions, potentially through a free agency, but especially through a project. Under new defensive coordinator Joe Barry, the Packers may want another type of inside backbacker. And Gutekunst wants a better production from the position. While Barnes and Martin both went through the first season, neither is a sure thing and both could be in debt if they don’t improve in 2021. This position has been a problem for too long.
The offensive attack puzzle without Wagner is harder to accomplish now. Starting with 11 games in 2020, Wagner was an essential part of the Packers’ offensive line that allowed only 20 sacks of Aaron Rodgers in the regular season. With Wagner out of the picture and David Bakhtiari, probably unlikely to start the season recovering from an ACL injury, the Packers look dangerously thin on the offensive approach with the agency’s free approach.
Billy Turner could be the starter of the left attack to start 2021 if Bakhtiari is not prepared and can also play the right attack. Elgton Jenkins, a Pro Bowler on guard, played the right attack at a peak to start 2020 and could be an option. Jon Runyan, elected in the sixth round last year, played attack in Michigan, but was only used on guard as a novice. The Packers like Yosh Nijman to be in front of the attacks, but he has never played in a game in the regular season.
The offensive approach for the Packers seems to be a position that needs some young, top-notch talent. Using a high draft pick – possibly even the 29th general election in the first round – could provide the position with long-delayed help. The Packers haven’t picked a real offensive offense in the draft since taking on Jason Spriggs in the second round in 2016.
While the Packers believe they will be able to search through the rubble of table losses and find veteran bargains for a year, the most likely replacements for Kirksey and Wagner are either on the current list or will be added to the project in a few months.
The packers can and should have done better than Kirksey, who failed to establish a position that was long a weak spot in the middle of the defense. Finding a replacement for a solid veteran attack will be more difficult. None of the players is a drop in the list, but creating space for caps comes with creating holes in the list. The inside linebacker and offensive attack are definitely on the list of needs for Gutekunst and Packers this season.