The Green Bay Packers are poised for a seismic roster overhaul this offseason, with financial pressures forcing the franchise toward several heartbreaking departures. A crushing playoff collapse and a dire salary cap situation have set the stage for dramatic change, placing multiple cornerstone players on the chopping block.
A league source confirms internal discussions are intensifying regarding the future of star running back Josh Jacobs. Despite a productive 929-yard, 13-touchdown campaign, his escalating contract is now viewed as a critical liability. Jacobs is due $10.2 million in base salary this season, with a cap hit soaring to $14.6 million.
In a league that increasingly devalues the running back position, that figure is untenable for a cap-strapped team. The Packers currently sit over $10.6 million above the projected 2026 salary cap, necessitating brutal fiscal decisions. Moving on from Jacobs could immediately free over $11 million in crucial space.
The financial reckoning extends far beyond the backfield. The aftermath of the historic playoff meltdown against Chicago, where Green Bay surrendered a 15-point fourth-quarter lead, has accelerated plans for a roster reset. The front office is preparing to sever ties with several high-priced veterans.
At the top of that list is two-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins. His recent move to center failed to solidify the position, and his massive $24.8 million cap hit for 2026 is impossible to justify. Releasing Jenkins would result in a staggering $20 million in savings, a move now considered inevitable.
The exodus continues along the offensive line with starting left tackle Rasheed Walker. While serviceable, his performance graded below average league-wide. With his market value projected near $20 million annually, the Packers are prepared to let him walk, handing the role to first-round pick Jordan Morgan.
Perhaps the most bittersweet departure is backup quarterback Malik Willis. His spectacular relief performance last season, including a near-perfect passer rating, has earned him a legitimate chance to compete for a starting job elsewhere. The Packers cannot offer that opportunity with Jordan Love entrenched as the franchise cornerstone.
These moves collectively represent a painful but necessary pivot for General Manager Brian Gutekunst. The potential savings—exceeding $50 million when combining these scenarios—must be reinvested to fortify a roster that faltered spectacularly in its biggest moment. The goal is clear: build a deeper, more resilient team around Jordan Love.
The strategy carries significant risk. Replacing Jacobs’s proven touchdown production is a formidable challenge, especially without a first-round draft pick. Jenkins’s leadership and versatility will be missed on an offensive line still seeking consistency. Each cut creates a new hole that must be expertly filled.
This offseason marks a definitive end of an era and a cold embrace of financial and competitive reality. The Packers are betting that system continuity under Head Coach Matt LaFleur and the ascendance of Jordan Love can withstand the loss of proven veterans. The margin for error in this high-stakes recalibration is vanishingly thin.
Fan reaction is anticipated to be fiercely divided, echoing the emotional departure of Aaron Jones just a year prior. While the logic of cap management is sound, the heart of Packers Nation is set to lose more beloved players. The business of football rarely accommodates sentiment.
All eyes now turn to Gutekunst and the front office. The capital generated from these painful cuts must be deployed with precision. Needs at linebacker, secondary, and pass rush are glaring. How the Packers navigate this tumultuous period will define their championship trajectory for the remainder of Jordan Love’s prime.
The coming weeks will be a masterclass in roster management under duress. Green Bay’s leadership believes these short-term pains are the only path to long-term contention. The success or failure of this aggressive strategy will be measured in the brutal crucible of the 2026 season.
