The Green Bay Packers created $8.3 million in cap space by converting the roster bonus owed to left tackle David Bakhtiari into a signing bonus spread out over the length of his contract, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
The move comes amid rumors of the team's interest in free agent J.J. Watt—a Wisconsin native who was granted his full release by the Houston Texans on Friday.
Bakhtiari's bonus was set at more than $11 million.
The 2021 free-agency class features some of the NFL's top playmakers. On the offensive side of the ball, superstar quarterback Dak Prescott might hit the market, while difference-makers like wide receivers Chris Godwin, Allen Robinson II and Kenny Golladay and offensive linemen Trent Williams and Brandon Scherff will be free agents.