The Green Bay Packers require some salary-cap gymnastics this offseason.

Russ Ball is one of the league’s best at managing the cap, but with Jordan Love and Micah Parsons having skyrocketing cap hits in the upcoming years, the Packers will have to find other ways to cut costs.

Green Bay begins the offseason a projected $15.2 million over the salary cap, though that figure could change slightly when the final 2026 cap numbers are determined. Even so, Ball must find ways to manipulate the cap and create space. The Packers have a long, daunting list of free agents, and that’s before even considering adding talent from elsewhere.

Fortunately, the Packers can pull several levers to create cap space. Let’s break down some of the most notable moves they can make.

How the Packers can create $59.61 million in cap space this offseason

Release Elgton Jenkins ($19.53 million savings)

The writing is on the wall. Green Bay moved Elgton Jenkins from left guard to center, and he struggled to adjust. He offered little in the run game — his PFF run-blocking grade ranked 30th among 40 centers.

Jenkins suffered a fracture in his lower leg in Week 10, ending his season.

His cap hit increases to $24.3 million in 2026, but the Packers can clear $19.5 million of that by moving on. Jenkins’ play declined this season, and Green Bay can make significant cap savings by releasing the two-time Pro Bowler. He has likely played his final snap for the Packers.

Release Trevon Diggs ($15.03 million savings)

One snap. That was Trevon Diggs’ contribution in a meaningful game for the Packers.

Green Bay took on the remainder of Diggs’ contract by claiming him on waivers, but there was no risk in doing so, as the team can clear his entire cap hit by releasing him. While Diggs is a former All-Pro with the Dallas Cowboys, it now seems inevitable that the Packers will move on. The other option would be asking him to take a pay cut.

Perhaps there’s a world where the Packers cut Diggs and then sign him to a fresh contract at a more affordable number, but regardless, we can safely assume they will clear this $15.03 million off the books.

Release or trade Rashan Gary ($10.98 million savings)

The Packers have no choice but to move on from Rashan Gary.

He made a fast start to the season, with 7.5 sacks in the opening seven games, although much of his success came as a result of Micah Parsons causing chaos. That production completely disappeared after Week 8, with Gary making zero sacks in the final nine games.

After the Packers’ win over the Steelers in October, Gary was on pace for 18 sacks, but he didn’t add a single sack to his tally after that.

His performances dropped so much that it’s hard to envision another team offering anything in a trade. Like with Jaire Alexander last season, the Packers’ only realistic option is to release him.

Restructure Xavier McKinney and Zach Tom ($9.07 million savings)

It’s not just releasing or trading players that can create cap savings. The Packers can also restructure a few deals.

They need to be careful, though, as this process saves money in the short term but kicks the can down the road. Every saving now is pushed onto future years’ salary caps, which could be problematic as Love and Parsons see their cap numbers rise dramatically.

Still, the Packers will likely make a restructure here or there. Over The Cap’s calculator has the team saving $5.97 million by restructuring Xavier McKinney’s deal, and a further $3.1 million by adjusting Zach Tom’s.

Release Keisean Nixon ($5 million savings)

On one hand, Keisean Nixon’s $7.2 million cap hit is relatively affordable for the Packers’ CB1. He offers experience and is a two-time All-Pro returner, if the Packers consider playing him on special teams again.

Counterpoint: Nixon isn’t a CB1, and Green Bay must find upgrades at the position.

Nixon had an up-and-down season. There were undoubtedly good moments, but his worst plays often came at critical times, including late in the fourth quarter in the playoff meltdown against Chicago. Nixon was largely to blame for Caleb Williams’ 4th-and-8 conversion that saved the game, and he then let D’Andre Swift walk into the end zone by jumping out of his way.

It’s time for the Packers to move on, and they can save $5 million by doing so.