Potential NFL Cuts Could Provide More Gain Than Pain for Packers

More than one-third of NFL teams are over the projected salary cap, a list that includes the Green Bay Packers and the rest of the NFC North.

With the start of the league-year looming, difficult decisions must be made around the league.

NFL.com recently posted a list of “notable” cut candidates. Matt Okada picked an obvious one for the Packers with center Elgton Jenkins.

At age 30, coming off a season-ending injury and failing to get anywhere close to “All-Pro” expectations, Jenkins is widely expected to be released before the start of the league-year.

Jenkins’ cap hit for 2026 is about $24.33 million. Between his $18.5 million base salary, $1.0 million in per-game roster bonuses and a $500,000 roster bonus, he is owed $20 million in cash. Those are by far the highest figures among centers.

In terms of salary cap, the Chiefs’ Creed Humphrey is next at $18.1 million. Jenkins’ cap charge is more than double every other center beyond Humphrey, the Saints’ Erik McCoy ($17.68 million) and the Bears’ Drew Dalman ($14.0 million). In terms of cash, Humphrey is next at $14.5 million. The Eagles’ Cam Jurgens ($13.25 million) is the only center owed more than $12.0 million.

“Those numbers are extremely high for a guard – fourth-highest cap hit on the team, in fact – and unheard of for a center,” Okada wrote. “Realistically, it would be shocking if Green Bay, which is slightly over the cap currently, kept Jenkins on the payroll, at least without some sort of significant restructuring.”

With the Packers slightly over the salary cap, releasing Jenkins, who is entering the final year under contract, would create a savings of more than $19.5 million.

Releasing Jenkins and defensive end Rashan Gary, who is due an $18.0 million base salary, would provide about $30.51 million in cap relief. That would open the door for general manager Brian Gutekunst to take advantage of other teams’ cap-saving cuts. There are some enticing possibilities.

Packers Need Cornerback Help

Here are some cornerbacks on the potential-cuts list.

Chicago Bears CB Jaylon Johnson: Johnson was a Pro Bowler in 2023 (four interceptions, 10 passes defensed) and 2024 (two interceptions, eight passes defensed). Injuries limited him to seven games in 2025. Chicago is in worse shape cap-wise than Green Bay at about $8.3 million over, and Johnson has cap charges of $24.5 million in 2026 and $25.0 million in 2027.

Johnson has more interceptions (seven) than touchdowns allowed (six) the past four seasons. He will turn 27 before the draft, so he’s got a lot of good football left in the tank after a third consecutive season of allowing a passer rating of less than 90.0. He’s not a good tackler.

Kansas City Chiefs CB Kristian Fulton: Fulton played in eight games with only two starts for the Chiefs. He broke up six passes and allowed just 8-of-16 passing, according to PFF. He allowed a 100-plus passer rating in each of the previous three seasons, though, with 14 touchdowns and two interceptions. He’d do nothing to improve the perimeter tackling.

Fulton was a second-round pick by the Titans in 2020 and won’t turn 28 until just before Week 1.

Washington Commanders CB Marshon Lattimore: Lattimore was considered a potential trade target for the Packers in 2024, when the Saints sent him to Washington. A Pro Bowler in four of his first five seasons, Lattimore has been unable to stay on the field. The past four seasons, he’s never played more than 10 games. He’ll turn 30 in May and is due a $16.5 million base salary.

On the bright side, he gave up only a 54.5 percent catch rate last year, according to PFF. On the other hand, he was penalized nine times in nine games and is coming off a torn ACL sustained in November.