Packers' Surprising Cap Moves, Free Agency Ahead

0:00It's March 9th. Here's your NFL news in two minutes. Packers fans have long expected the team to stay quiet in free agency this offseason. The plan was to let key players leave for Big Deal's elsewhere, banking on valuable compensatory draft picks in 2027. With salary-cap issues looming in 2026, signing pricey veterans could wipe those picks out. Lately though, Green Bay has a prize with Smart Cat moves. They converted salaries for safety, Xavier McKinney, and offensive lineman Aaron Banks, going beyond the basics. This puts them well under the cap, even after resigning guard, Sean Ryan. That extra room changes things for fans who thought spending would be tight. Trimming deals for players like Elton Jenkins or Rashan Gary could free up even more cash this spring. Still, the Packers probably won't chase stars that cancel out departures from guys like Malik Willis, Rashid Walker, or Romeo Daubs. Those could net forth round picks, or better, and the team values that future draft ammo.

1:02Free agency talks kick off this afternoon, so we'll see if they dip into that newfound space. Stay tuned for updates as the moves unfold. The Daily News Now is presented by our sponsor. Some people meditate, I just lay down and press play, S-O-L-I-SoliPillow.com.