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3 Players the Packers Should Consider Releasing or Trading for Salary Cap Reasons

By Steven Kubitza

Green Bay Packers TE Jimmy Graham could be on his way out of town.
Green Bay Packers TE Jimmy Graham could be on his way out of town. / Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The Green Bay Packers will be looking to add talent to the roster in 2020 after a disappointing postseason exit despite making the NFC Championship Game. The team needs more talent around Aaron Rodgers and the defense could use a boost after an embarrassing display against the San Francisco 49ers.

The following three players could possibly either be traded or released to clear up some cap space heading into free agency.

3. Corey Linsley

Green Bay Packers C Corey Linsley has been with the team since 2014.
Green Bay Packers C Corey Linsley has been with the team since 2014. / Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images

The Packers may get desperate in trying to free up some cash. Corey Linsley is a candidate to be let go because he will only count $2 million against the cap if released or traded before June 1. That would save the team $8.5 million, but would create a hole at the center position. The only way this happens is if the team takes a center early in the NFL Draft. If so, Linsley's money could be used elsewhere on the roster.

2. Lane Taylor

Green Bay Packers G Lane Taylor missed most of 2019 with an injury.
Green Bay Packers G Lane Taylor missed most of 2019 with an injury. / Rob Leiter/Getty Images

The Packers could save $4.6 million by moving on from offensive lineman Lane Taylor. He only appeared in two games before hitting injured reserve in 2019 and the Packers have seen life without him. Taylor can be offered up in trades, given he's fully healthy, as a veteran guard with experience protecting a top quarterback. He also comes cheap with a cap hit under $6 million in 2020.

1. Jimmy Graham

Green Bay Packers TE Jimmy Graham is in the final year of his contract.
Green Bay Packers TE Jimmy Graham is in the final year of his contract. / Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Jimmy Graham hasn't exactly lived up to his contract in Green Bay and the team can save $8 million by moving him this offseason. He is in the final year of a three-year, $30 million deal. So far he only has five touchdowns in two years, which isn't the impact Aaron Rodgers and Co. have been looking for. Expect Graham to be released so the Pack can spend that money on a better contributor on either side of the ball.