3 salary cap casualties for the Packers after the 2020 season

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 09: Brian Gutekunst Genral Manager of the Green Bay Packers speaks to the media during a press conference introducing Matt LaFleur as head coach at Lambeau Field on January 09, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

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CLEVELAND, OH – AUGUST 21: Christian Kirksey #58 of the Cleveland Browns looks on during a preseason game against the New York Giants at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 21, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

. Christian Kirksey. 2. 49. Pick Analysis. LB. player. Scouting Report

Christian Kirksey signed with the Packers this offseason after several injury-filled seasons with the Cleveland Browns. The veteran linebacker was able to secure a two-year deal with $4 million guaranteed after being limited to a total of nine games over the past two seasons.

Kirksey’s contract was set up in a way that shows the Packers are being cautious. He is an $8 million cap hit in 2021, but with a dead cap value of $2 million. This gives the Packers flexibility not only financially, but in case Kirksey can’t stay healthy once again.

The linebacker will likely have to dominate to be kept around for the second year of his deal. Za’Darius Smith will have a cap hit of $20.75 million in 2021 while Preston Smith will be at $16 million. Carrying Kirksey’s figure of $8 million does not make sense unless he can play in all 16 games or at a Pro-Bowl level.

Even if he does perform at such a high level, the Packers can also look for a trade partner as Kirksey represents a veteran option who isn’t carrying a huge cap figure in 2021.

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