As the NFL is a week from free agency, it starts to look more like Aaron Jones could be playing football while sporting other colors in 2021. The deadline came on Tuesday to sign players to the franchise tag or the transition tag. These tags are placing a one-year deal often applied to players that are set to be free agents. Yesterday, no tag was applied to either of the Packers marquee free agents, Aaron Jones or All-Pro Center Corey Linsley. The Center and seven-year veteran has noted that it has looked like his playing future isn’t in Green Bay as no contact has been made. Both Linsley and Jones, who is going into his fifth season, would be expected to be near the top of free agent contracts at their respective positions. With Jamaal Williams not being under contract as well, A.J. Dillon and Dexter Williams, who went on injured reserve last season, would be the only returning running backs. 

While it is not entirely clear yet what the salary cap will be for the coming season, it is expected that the Packers will have to shed or restructure some player’s contracts to get below the number, which the NFL has made teams aware will be at least $180 million. On Tuesday, the Packers restructured the contract of Wide Receiver Devin Funchess and saved roughly $750,000 in cap space. Funchess, who spent five seasons in the NFL, opted out of the 2020 season but will have a chance to join the 2021 push.