Thursday Cheese Curds: With J.J. Watt’s decision looming, a look at the Packers’ cap situation

As J.J. Watt’s decision looms, with the Green Bay Packers reportedly among the favorites, there is understandable concern about Green Bay’s salary cap situation.

Is it possible those concerns may be overrated?

The number crunch might look very difficult on paper but general manager Brian Gutekunst and cap guru/vice president of football operations Russ Ball almost always seem to find a way. In Watt’s case, should he decide to sign in Green Bay, the Packers will almost certainly find a way to stretch some dollars by converting salary to bonuses, restructures and other magical mathematical methods.

In terms of free agency overall, the Packers might be a little more restricted thanks to a smaller salary cap but they hardly will be the only team in that situation. In fact, star players might find themselves signing for less money than they wanted thanks to the smaller cap.

It might be another year of bargain bin shopping for the Packers this year but at least they stand a decent chance of finding quality goods in the clearance section this time.

Packers can score in free agency despite salary-cap constraints—PackersNews.com (subscription)

Some fans on social media might go running around like Beavis yelling “we’re never gonna score!” but the facts say something quite different. Green Bay can still find quality at a fair price.

Packers’ Robert Tonyan likely will have to wait to get paid (big)—ESPN

Big Bob is likely due a big payday in the future but he might have to wait another year to earn it. As a restricted free agent, Tonyan could receive some offers but the Packers could ultimately control his fate by matching any offer.

Report: Dolphins eyeing Pro Bowl running back Aaron Jones—KTSM

We have our first rumor regarding a potential departure for Aaron Jones. What remains to be seen however is if Jones wants to go to Miami.

Call to the Hall was worth the wait for George Oudhuis—Packers.com

The fourth time was the charm for this lucky Packers fan.

78 pounds of wool sheared from sheep found living in the wild—UPI

This sheep needed a haircut really BAAAAAAAA-D.