GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers will pick up an extra $1.2 million in salary-cap space for the 2017 season because of weekly roster bonuses that went uncollected.
A total of 15 players on their roster had bonuses there were based on how many games in which they were active in the 2016 season. Had every one of those players been on the 46-man game-day roster for all 16 regular-season games, the Packers would have paid out $7.35 million this season.
Instead, they doled out $6,131,250 under their bonus plan and thus will be allowed to carry over $1,218,750 in extra salary-cap space for this year. Their cap number will be adjusted to reflect that amount when the NFL league year begins on March 9 at 4 p.m. ET. Their total weekly roster bonus payout was slightly lower than it was in 2016.
The Packers are projected to have about $35 million in available cap space for this season, according to ESPN Stats & Information, and could pick up an additional $9 million if they release cornerback Sam Shields.
Shields lost the most money because of the concussion he sustained in Week 1. He never played again, meaning he missed out on 15 weeks of roster bonuses that totaled $468,750. Running back James Starks lost out on $131,250 because he missed seven games.
Outside linebacker Nick Perry collected the most in weekly roster bonuses at $875,000 (or $62,500 for each of the 14 games in which he was active; he missed two games because of a broken hand).
The Packers use weekly roster bonuses as essentially added incentive money when players sign contract extensions or new deals. None of the rookie contracts contain weekly roster bonuses. Those bonuses do not apply to the postseason.
Here’s a look at how much each Packers player with a weekly roster bonus in his contract collected this past season:
Perry ($62,500 per game active): $875,000
Letroy Guion ($50,000 per game active): $750,000
Aaron Rodgers ($37,500 per game active): $600,000
Bryan Bulaga ($35,375 per game active): $550,000
Mike Daniels: ($31,250 per game active): $500,000
Jordy Nelson ($31,250 per game active): $500,000
Julius Peppers ($31,250 per game active): $500,000
Randall Cobb ($31,250 per game active): $406,250
Clay Matthews ($31,250 per game active): $375,000
Morgan Burnett ($18,750 per game active): $281,250
Jared Cook ($25,000 per game active): $250,000
T.J. Lang ($18,750 per game active): $243,750
Starks ($18,750 per game active): $168,750
Mason Crosby ($6,250 per game active): $100,000
Shields ($18,750 per game active): $31,250