Packers Cut 2 Starters and Extend Another

The Green Bay Packers have made a flurry of moves before today’s negotiating window opens for free agents. Today at 11A central teams can start talking with free agents, but signings can’t happen until Wednesday at 3P central. The Packers have to get under the salary cap of $208.2 million before then.

They started by cutting 2 time Pro Bowl linebacker Za’Darius Smith and offensive linemen Billy Turner, who started 13 games last season. The two moves save the team $19.2 million.

The team restructured the contract of linebacker Preston Smith a move that will save the Packers $8 million for next year. Smith will receive four years and $53.5 million in new money with a possibility of making $75 million total.

Even with three moves and $27.2 million in savings the green and gold are still over the cap and more moves will have to be made.