3 ways Packers can get out of cap hell, but keep Aaron Rodgers

2. Cut loose Randall Cobb and Za’Darius Smith to free up some salary cap space

Of course, another option to create some more salary cap space is to release highly compensated, but not necessarily productive players. Two potential cap casualties for the Packers include defensive end Za’Darius Smith and wide receiver Randall Cobb. Breaking up the Smith Brothers may not land well with some Cheesheads. Keep in mind that Rodgers got Cobb back to Green Bay.

Smith is the second-highest compensated player on the Packers at $27,661,250 for 2022. Though he was a two-time Pro Bowler and a second-time All-Pro in his first two years of his four-year deal with the Packers, Smith played in one game last year. They still ended up with the No. 1 seed in the NFC anyway. He would be a dead cap hit of $12.380 million if released this offseason.

Cobb signed a three-year deal to return to the Packers after a stint with the Houston Texans. While he had five touchdown grabs last season, he only had 28 catches for 375 yards in 12 games for Green Bay. He will make the eighth-most salary on the Packers roster in he stays at $9,641,666. Should Cobb be released this offseason, he would be a dead cap hit of $2.78 million.

Both of those dead cap hit numbers would drop down considerably if they are made after June 1.