As is often the case, the Green Bay Packers were not active buyers as the trade deadline approached. Instead, they played the role of sellers, trading edge rusher Preston Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a seventh-round pick. This move is primarily a salary dump, helping the Packers free up some cap space for the future.
Now that the trade deadline has passed, teams can still add players, but only by signing free agents, claiming players off waivers, or adding players from other teams’ practice squads. After the deadline, even vested veterans must clear waivers before being signed.
### Salary Cap Situation
As of now, the Packers have $15.527 million in salary cap space, thanks to Smith’s trade, which cleared just over $2 million in 2024 cap room. However, the significant cap savings are in the years ahead. The Packers will have:
– $7.626 million in 2025
– $18.207 million in 2026
– $1.667 million in the void year of 2027
Independent cap analyst Ken Ingalls provides an in-depth breakdown of the Packers’ finances, accounting for projected practice squad elevations and other minor roster moves. After the Smith trade, Ingalls estimates that the Packers now have $14.475 million in effectively available cap space.
This gives the team plenty of flexibility to make moves if necessary—especially if something unexpected arises. They also have the option to create additional cap space through restructures if needed. If they don’t use the available cap space this year, it will roll over into 2025, giving them more room to operate next season.
Looking ahead, Over the Cap projects that the Packers will have $60.64 million in cap space for 2025, with 40 players already under contract. This includes the high-value contracts of Jordan Love, Rashan Gary, Elgton Jenkins, Jaire Alexander, Xavier McKinney, Kenny Clark, and Josh Jacobs.
This is by far the most favorable cap situation the Packers have had in recent years, especially when compared to the period when the team overspent during the final years of Aaron Rodgers’ tenure.
