The Green Bay Packers enter Thursday roughly $5 million over the cap and must be salary cap compliant by Wednesday, the start of the new league year. Green Bay also needs to free up as much cap space as possible to re-sign players or bring in big-name free agents, or at the very least sign the 2026 draft class. The Packers may not move Elgton Jenkins or Rashan Gary until next week, as they are potentially trying to trade both players, while also deciding whether to keep or cut borderline cut candidates with upcoming roster bonuses, including Nate Hobbs, Brandon McManus, and Aaron Banks, all due March 13.
Also Read: “Potential Value”: Green Bay Packers Hoping to Trade 2x-Pro Bowler, The Packers are Set to Retain 2025’s Blockbuster Signing
Green Bay Packers restructure All-Pro, now salary cap compliant
Green Bay Packers, Xavier McKinney, NFL, 2025
Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney (29) celebrates his interception during the first quarter of their game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers beat the Indianapolis Colts 16-10. It was McKinney’s first interception at Lambeau Field.
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Packers have restructured Xavier McKinney’s contract by converting $3.035 million of his base salary and $8.5 million roster bonus into a signing bonus, adding three void years, freeing $9.228 million in cap space. As a result, his $4.25 million base salary drops to the league minimum $1.215 million, while his $19.1 million cap hit drops to $9.872 million in 2026. Lastly, the prorated $11.535 million signing bonus will be spread evenly over the next five years at $2.307 million per year, increasing his future cap hits by that amount.
The Packers are now salary cap compliant.
Green Bay converting his salary and roster bonus, which should bring his overall cap hit to under $10M https://t.co/hp6I3fpCSj
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 5, 2026
Appears as if the Packers did a max-void restructure on Xavier McKinney.
🔁$11,535,000 salary & roster bonus to signing bonus
📈$9,228,000 cap space created for 2026
🚫3 Void Years added pic.twitter.com/Uebth280dD
— Ken – Packers Cap (@KenIngalls) March 5, 2026
Sep 24, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst on the sidelines during warmups prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst on the sidelines during warmups prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Cut/Trade Elgton Jenkins: $19.53 million savings
Cut/Trade Rashan Gary: $10.98 million savings
Post June 1 Cut: Nate Hobbs: $8.84 million savings
Extend Devonte Wyatt $9.38 million savings
Extend Christian Watson: $2.17 million savings
Extend Tucker Kraft: $2.02 million savings
Max restructure Aaron Banks: $12.79 million savings
Max restructure Zach Tom: $2.91 million savings
Hey Ken – How much cap space can the Packers get if they _____?
Answer: pic.twitter.com/R3zFfns0ao
— Ken – Packers Cap (@KenIngalls) February 12, 2026