The One Contract Holding Back the Green Bay Packers

Has there ever been an NFL team that royally botched an offseason in so many areas like the Green Bay Packers did this year? They were one victory away from reaching Super Bowl LIV, and they did next to nothing to put them over the edge as bonafide NFC contenders. Free agency was lackluster, and the NFL Draft was an unmitigated disaster.

The Packers need to do whatever it takes to bring quarterback Aaron Rodgers back to the Super Bowl in the next three years, but the team is currently $7 million over the salary cap threshold. When looking at Green Bay's payroll, the contract of offensive guard Billy Turner sticks out like a sore thumb.

As is the case with any team with a top-tier quarterback, giving him proper protection at the line of scrimmage is always a must. Last offseason, the Packers opted to sign Turner to a ridiculous four-year, $28 million contract, even though he was cut by the Denver Broncos at the time.

To the surprise of no one, Turner failed to live up to his contract last season. This past season, Turner allowed 52 total pressures and nine sacks in 764 pass-blocking attempts, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). Those numbers aren't ideal, especially as an interior offensive lineman. Plus, he was ranked by PFF as the the 58th-best guard out of 63 eligible players.

Parting ways with Turner is completely out of the question in 2020. He carries an $8.1 million cap hit, but his deal carries $9.7 million in dead money for the upcoming season. 2021, though, is an ideal cut year, as he would count for just $4.5 million in dead cap.

It's a make or break year for Turner. If he fails to improve, he'll definitely be shown the door at season's end.