The cap space gained by trading away Davante Adams will give the Green Bay Packers a real opportunity to keep cornerback Rasul Douglas.
Two reports say the Packers will eventually re-sign Douglas, who led the team with five interceptions over just 12 games last season.
Josina Anderson of USA TODAY Sports reported that Douglas is now expected to return to the Packers. Dianna Russini reported something similar, stating the Packers are expected to sign Douglas once the Adams trade becomes official.
Adams was counting over $20 million on the Packers’ salary cap while on the franchise tag. Once the trade goes through, the Packers will gain back the entire sum of the franchise tag in cap space, providing the financial resources for the team to re-sign a player like Douglas with a new deal.
Keeping the defense intact should be a priority for the Packers after losing a scoring machine like Adams on offense.
If Douglas returns, the Packers will go into the 2022 season with three high-level starting cornerbacks, including All-Pro Jaire Alexander and standout 2021 first-round pick Eric Stokes.
General manager Brian Gutekunst signed Douglas off the Cardinals practice squad in October. He helped the Packers survive at cornerback without Alexander, who spent the final 12 weeks of the season on injured reserve.
Douglas had a flair for the dramatic during his first season in Green Bay. He sealed a win in Arizona with an interception in the end, produced pick-sixes of Justin Fields and Matthew Stafford in back-to-back games at Lambeau Field and then clinched a Christmas Day win over the Browns with a pair of interceptions of Baker Mayfield.
Douglas has 10 career interceptions. He doesn’t turn 27 until August.
