Sure, everything that has to do with the NFL’s offseason program is voluntary, outside of mandatory minicamp and training camp, of course.
But coaches, and even players, are more-than-often adamant about the value of this time of year. It gives teams a chance to build early chemistry, bond, and learn the playbook. Most importantly, players can make mistakes on the field without serious repercussions.
This time of year is all about learning. And even veterans can play a key role by showing up and giving the younger players pointers on how to attack the offseason. They also lead by example when showing up for voluntary workouts, which is obviously key, as well.
Therefore, some teams will incentive certain player contracts in hopes of getting them to show up. The Green Bay Packers did this with Aaron Rodgers when they extended him last year.
This year, Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander and veteran cornerback Rasul Douglas, the starter opposite Alexander, were offered $700k and $300k, respectively, to show up to the voluntary portions of the offseason.
And surprisingly, they didn’t show. Now, the Packers will get a $1 million credit on the 2024 salary cap, according to Packers cap expert, Ken Ingalls.
Yes & No
Jaire does not get his $700K workout bonus but will still 100% count against the 2023 salary cap. The good news is the Packers will receive a credit in 2024 for $700K – so they get cap help next year.
The same is true for anyone with workout bonuses who skipped OTAs. https://t.co/p9IRHzNUpr
— Ken Ingalls – Packers Cap ???? (@KenIngalls) June 14, 2023
Per Over The Cap, the team currently has a little more than $23.7 million in cap room for the 2024 season, which ranks 21st. Every dollar matters, so it’s huge the team is getting a million of them in return for the veteran absences.
“They could raise that up a little bit,” Alexander jokingly said on Tuesday. “I definitely would’ve been here for $10 [million].”
Alexander has been working out on his own, so it’s not like he was taking the offseason off or anything like that. Both he and Douglas showed up for mandatory minicamp.
Man, it must be nice to be able to walk away from that kind of payday. I guess none of us will know what it’s like unless we get our own four-year, $84 million contract.
But we can dream, right?
READ MORE:
How Jordan Love is accepting the change that comes with being Packers QB
