Packers Face Uphill Battle This Offseason

Limited cap space and draft capital make it difficult for Green Bay to improve roster

Mar. 6, 2026 at 2:19am

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The Green Bay Packers are facing significant challenges this offseason, with limited salary cap space and a lack of high draft picks. According to NFL.com rankings, the Packers rank near the bottom in terms of offseason resources, with only two teams having less. General manager Brian Gutekunst will need to get creative to fill holes on the roster and build a championship-caliber team.

Why it matters

The Packers have made the playoffs each season during the Jordan Love era, but as the lowly seventh seed, making a deep playoff run has been difficult. With limited financial flexibility and draft capital, Gutekunst will need to maximize every move to keep the Packers competitive in the NFC.

The details

The Packers are 25th in the NFL in salary cap space, and will need to make tough decisions on players like Elgton Jenkins and Rashan Gary to free up room. They also don't have a first-round pick in the upcoming draft, with their first selection coming at No. 52 overall. Half of their eight draft picks will be in the 201st pick or later, leaving them 28th in the league in draft capital.

  • The NFL free agency negotiating window opens on Monday, March 11, 2026.
  • The 2026 NFL Draft will begin on April 23, 2026.

The players

Brian Gutekunst

The general manager of the Green Bay Packers, tasked with improving the roster this offseason despite limited resources.

Jordan Love

The Packers' starting quarterback, whose rising contract will put additional strain on the team's salary cap in the coming years.

Micah Parsons

The star linebacker the Packers traded for, whose rising contract will also impact their salary cap situation.

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What they’re saying

“I think all you've got to look at is our history and the history of the National Football League. There's going to be really good players available to us where we pick, whether that's where we're picking right now in the second round or somewhere else.”

— Brian Gutekunst, General Manager, Green Bay Packers

“I think we have really good core players coming back. I feel really good about our core. The guys we're going to bring in, whether it's the draft or free agency, we're going to expect them to play and contribute.”

— Brian Gutekunst, General Manager, Green Bay Packers

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.