The Green Bay Packers created nearly $ 9 million in salary cap savings by launching linebacker Christian Kirksey and offensive attack Rick Wagner on Friday.
The changes were mainly expected, given the current situation of the Packers’ salary cap. The team has yet to release an additional $ 12 million to reach below the limit next month. They have reasonable ways to give up too much, although the remaining options are not as simple as cutting Kirksey and Wagner or restructuring David Bakhtiari’s business.
While limit casualties are part of the deal, especially during this unique off-season, each subtraction of players creates a ripple effect for the cast’s perspective.
At this point, Kirksey seems much easier to replace than Wagner.
Hired to provide a veteran linebacker to former defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, Kirksey fought early, lost five games due to a chest injury and was eventually replaced as the team’s No. 1 linebacker. He intercepted two passes and produced two sacks, but qualified as one of the worst internal NFL linebackers in Pro Football Focus during the 2020 season.
Packers have youthful depth in the internal linebacker. Krys Barnes and Kamal Martin played extensively as newbies, and both Ty Summers and Oren Burks are key contributors to special teams. The returning group should not prevent general manager Brian Gutekunst from adding more to the position, potentially through a free agency, but especially the draft. Under new defensive coordinator Joe Barry, the Packers may want a different type of internal linebacker. And Gutekunst wants better production of the position. Although Barnes and Martin shone during their first season, neither is right and both can be passive if they don’t improve in 2021. This position has been a problem area for a long time.
The offensive attack puzzle without Wagner is more difficult to put together now. A holder of 11 games in 2020, Wagner was an important part of the Packers offensive line that allowed only 20 Aaron Rodgers sacks during the regular season. With Wagner out of the picture and David Bakhtiari possibly unlikely to start the season while recovering from an ACL injury, the Packers appear dangerously thin in their offensive attack as the free agency approaches.
Billy Turner can be the tackle holder on the left to start 2021 if Bakhtiari is not ready, and he can also play tackle on the right. Elgton Jenkins, a Pro Bowler on guard, played with the right in a pinch to start 2020 and may be an option. Jon Runyan, the sixth round pick last year, played tackle in Michigan, but was only used on guard as a rookie. The Packers like Yosh Nijman’s tackle advantage, but he never played in a regular season game.
The offensive tackle for the Packers looks like a position that needs some young, cutting-edge talent. Using a high draft choice – possibly even the 29th overall choice in the first round – could provide the position with long-awaited help. The Packers have not chosen a real offensive tackle in the draft since they faced Jason Spriggs in the second round in 2016.
While Packers believe they will be able to sift through the rubble of mass casualties and find veteran bargains for a year, the most likely substitutes for Kirksey and Wagner are currently on the list or will be added to the draft in a few months.
Packers can and need to do better than Kirksey, who has failed to fix a position that has long been a weakness in the middle of defense. Finding a replacement for a solid veteran offensive tackle will be more difficult. None of the players represent a disabling subtraction for the lineup, but creating cap space comes with creating holes in the lineup. The internal linebacker and the offensive tackle are certainly on the list of needs of Gutekunst and the Packers this offseason.