Two names are at the center of the Packers’ offseason: Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams. While it’s certainly understandable why that’s the case, there are several other big decisions the team needs to make regardless of what happens with that pair. Two such examples are pending free agents De’Vondre Campbell and Rasul Douglas. 
When speaking with the media, general manager Brian Gutekunst made it clear he wants both players back in Green Bay. Campbell signed with the Packers last June, reuniting him with head coach Matt Lafleur, dating back to their time together in Atlanta. The 28-year-old was brought in to provide a veteran presence in the absence of Chrsitian Kirksey, paving the way for a career year.
Campbell made 146 tackles, to go along with two sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions in 16 games this year. Those numbers earned him First-Team All-Pro honors for the first time in his six-year career. “The season he had, I’m so impressed with the person and the player, and he just made a world of difference for the defense”, Gutekunst said. He added that the team is “very optimistic and hopeful to get him back into the fold”.
As for Douglas, he may have found a home after five NFL stops in the past three years. Despite not joining the team until October (as a fill-in for the injured Jaire Alexander), he led the Packers in interceptions with five, two of which were returned for touchdowns. The 27-year-old also registered 57 total tackles, and put up career-best numbers in pass coverage, allowing only a 44.5 opposing passer rating.
Douglas has let it be known he is open to a new deal in Green Bay, something which the team is also amenable to. Gutekunst said, “to predict what he was able to do for us, I’d be lying to you if I thought he was going to come here… and impact our team the way he did”.
Both players have certainly earned raises over the figures they played on in 2021, which complicates Green Bay’s situation. Despite recent restructures with Kenny Clark and Aaron Jones, they are still well over the cap, and seemingly no closer to permanent deals with either Rodgers or Adams. If they are able to keep Campbell and Douglas, though, their defense would be well positioned to repeat its top-ten performance from 2021.
So does that mean Rodgers is gone or that the salary cap doesn’t mean anything now?!?!
I don’t know if G.B.’s front office is aware or not, but you can’t keep everyone when you are so far over the cap.
It means they’re keeping the lines of communication open, and if they get the cap situation figured out (whether it involves 12 and 17 or not) they want those 2 guys back.
I get that, but then it is a “non-story”.
I will say it again, can’t keep everyone…
And..there have been names that likely will be gone, or cut and possibly re-signed to much less money.
Cobb almost certainly gets cut, maybe re-signed. Probably depends on Rodgers being there or not.
Crosby I think probably gets cut…50/50 at best they bring him back then.
Z Smith. Almost certain he’s cut and gone.
Turner either a short extension to lower the ’22 cap figure, or cut..50/50 at best he’s re-signed at that point.
P Smith might get a 1 or 2 year extension to lower his ’22 cap number.
Lowry possible extension.
Alexander, Gary, Amos all listed as possible extension candidates lowering this year’s cap figures.
Even a Rodgers extension, according to the 3 stories and 2 cap sites I’ve seen have them saving at least $17 million THIS YEAR if extended.
2 stories I’ve read have the potential TOTAL cap savings for ’22 if all these things are done of more than $90 million. They’re $40ish over right now. I know math is hard, and I’m not great at it, but 90 is greater than 40, and it almost looks like a surplus.
I’m also aware of the possibility not ALL of these things get done, or will provide the maximum savings, but to say “they’re $40 million over now, this year is shot and pushing money forward will cripple them” isn’t completely true either.
Remember, 2 days ago they were reportedly $53 million over. It’s down to $40ish after 2 moves.
And as far as next year..what’s to say they can’t work some magic then too?
I’m pretty sure they know the cap rules.
You’re aware that the off-season hasn’t even really started in terms of player movement, right?
Resigning Campbell and Douglas is imperative helps keeping the defense intact. That also makes it easier to starting the rebuilding if Rodgers and Adams are moved. You can use some of the players and draft picks to improve the offense and the overall team for the future.