Breaking down the NFL’s most likely cap casualties | ProFootballTalk. One former star for the Green Bay Packers, and one long-time starter who's still on the roster, made the list of the Top 10 most likely cap casualties.
LT Chad Clifton. When he was a free agent in 2010, I really wanted him back. He could still play, he went onto make the Pro Bowl that season, and they didn't have anyone to replace him. I hesitate to say they've found his replacement, the number of sacks allowed by Marshall Newhouse was brutal and Derek Sherrod didn't look ready at all, but it seems unreasonable to expect he'll bounce back at age 36. Though his recent back surgery apparently went well, and it's left me feeling a little bit more optimistic about his future. Overall, the reasons to let him go outweigh the reasons to keep him for 2012.
DE Aaron Kampman. After the 2009 season, I had some reservations about letting him go in free agency. He had been the team's most dynamic pass rusher, and arguably their best defensive player. He was coming off season ending knee surgery and his transition to outside LB wasn't a big success, but he had been very durable over his first seven seasons and he could use more time to adapt to his new position. In the end, it was understandable that age and injury concerns would trump past performance. It looked like the right move to let him go.
In hindsight, it was a no-brainer. Kampman's had two more knee surgeries, and couldn't play at all last season. I'm not sure whether he's ready to retire, but it'd be crazy if the Jaguars kept him at his current salary.