And yes, general manager Brian Gutekunst thinks they ll be able to do
something in free agency.
Restructure veteran contracts, including quarterback Aaron Rodgers deal.
Make more roster cuts, although linebacker Preston Smith may not be as near the top of the list as everyone thought.
Decide whether to use either the franchise or transition tag on running back Aaron Jones, which would break from their decade-long tradition of not using either tag.
At this point, with two weeks before NFL teams must have their top 51 contracts under their adjusted salary caps, the Packers will need to create more than $15 million in space just to be in compliance, according to ESPN Stats & Information. But they ll need more than that to make any moves, whether it s re-signing any of their own free agents or adding others.
CINCINNATI The Cincinnati Bengals enter 2021 NFL free agency coming off a 4-11-1 season in 2020 and have at least 24 unrestricted free agents.
The mission for the Bengals is pretty obvious building around budding quarterback Joe Burrow. As a rookie, the 2020 top overall draft pick showed he has the potential to be Cincinnati s franchise quarterback. A season-ending knee injury underscored the importance of giving Burrow a quality offensive line. If the Bengals can add another dynamic receiving target this offseason, their offense will be poised to take a big step in Burrow s second season.
Here s what to expect from the Bengals when the NFL offseason hits high gear with the start of free agency on March 17:
Game plan: Though the idea of trading Cousins has come up this offseason, the chances of him being under center for the Vikings in 2021 are strong. Minnesota gave him a two-year, $66 million extension last offseason to bring down his cap charge. Another extension would help free up financial resources but also keeps Cousins in the fold beyond 2022, which might not be the direction the Vikings can afford to go. Fortunately for the Vikings, Cousins is one of the most durable quarterbacks in the NFL and doesn t need a high-priced vet as his backup. That likely keeps Mannion in place on another one-year deal. In any event, the Vikings need to start thinking about life after Cousins and finding a quarterback in the draft.
Backup quarterback, that is.
Since arriving in Buffalo as a free agent in October 2018, veteran Matt Barkley has served as Josh Allen s backup. In those three seasons, Barkley has completed 53 of 97 passes for 788 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions, making one spot start in 2018. He is a free agent once again in 2021, and the decision to bring him back is complicated, thanks to the presence of 2020 fifth-round pick Jake Fromm.
The Georgia product, like every other rookie in last year s class, did not have a normal offseason because of the coronavirus pandemic. Fromm s year was even more unique, considering he dealt with an offseason controversy and the Bills made him the team s emergency quarterback, which involved him practicing separately from the rest of the team throughout the week and remaining socially distant inside the Bills facility.
Why is that? For starters, 15 to 18 quarterbacks could be changing teams this offseason. As the QB carousel spins and trade scenarios are considered, more names get pulled into the mix. Cousins, 32, is a massive financial obligation for the Vikings after he signed a two-year, $66 million extension last March. If Minnesota wants out of that contract to improve other areas of the roster, now would be the time to consider moving on.
There are plenty of reasons to keep Cousins, but there s a lot on the line for a team coming off a 7-9 season.
Here s a look at three scenarios this offseason for the Vikings quarterback situation.