It was a busy day across the NFL on Monday, especially at 1265 Lombardi Avenue in Green Bay.
The activity started with the Packers signing OLB Preston Smith to a contract extension. The four-year, $53.5 million contract comes after taking a pay cut to stay with the team last year. It included a $12 million roster bonus and other incentives.
Then came the bad news for Packers fans as news broke that Davante Adams would not play under the franchise tag he received the same day Aaron Rodgers said he would return to the franchise. The tag is worth over $18 million, but Adams would like a long-term contract. The Green Bay Press-Gazette reports the two sides are still far apart on a deal.
The Packers then said goodbye to two veteran players in OL Billy Turner and OLB Za'darius Smith. Turner was likely an injury-related designation after suffering a knee injury late in the season. Smith is a cost-cutting move that helped the Packers eliminate $20 million of their cap hit for the 2022 season.
Some of that money was put back on the books later when ILB De'Vondre Campbell was reportedly awarded a pay raise after being taken off the street last season. The five-year, $50 million contract locks up one of the top defenders from last year's playoff team, leading the team with 147 tackles while helping force several turnovers.
Plenty of decisions remain as the Packers have to get below the salary cap by the deadline on Wednesday, with players like cornerback Rasul Douglas, defensive lineman Dean Lowry, and receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling among the ones awaiting their fate.
