The Green Bay Packers restructured Xavier McKinney’s contract, likely clearing over $9 million from the salary cap with a full void restructure — providing a strong start to the team’s plans for providing financial flexibility entering the new league year.
While the Packers aren’t likely to max out the credit card this offseason, more work is required. How else can the Packers clear cap space with restructures?
Several other veterans have cap dollars ready to be pushed into the future, either with simple restructures or max void restructures.
Left guard Aaron Banks, edge rusher Rashan Gary, quarterback Jordan Love, cornerback Nate Hobbs, running back Josh Jacobs and right tackle Zach Tom all have at least $2 million in simple restructure potential. If the Packers pulled the simple restructure lever on all six players, the team would clear around $38 million off the books in 2026.
Also, the Packers can clear another $19 million off the cap in 2026 by releasing or trading Elgton Jenkins.
Ken Ingalls has a handy reference chart, showing all the possible ways the Packers can save money on the cap in 2026. Obviously, the McKinney lever has already been pulled. But others will be pulled soon.
Packers restructure possibilities (simple restructures)
The Packers will almost certainly rip up (release), restructure or reduce Gary’s contract at some point this offseason. His $28 million cap number does not work based on his production in 2025. The same goes for Jenkins, who is likely gone after a subpar 2025 season. Some combination of moves involving Gary and Jenkins is likely to do the rest of the heavy lifting for the Packers’ salary cap after McKinney’s max void restructure, but the Packers could do more if an aggressive more or two is anticipated in free agency.
Per Over the Cap, the Packers were roughly $5 million over the cap before McKinney’s restructure. They will be cap compliant once McKinney’s restructure is officially on the books. From there, the pulling of additional salary cap levers will allow the Packers’ offseason plan to come into focus.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: How else can Packers clear cap space after restructuring Xavier McKinney’s contract?
Reporting by Zach Kruse, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
