There’s a lot of excitement and optimism surrounding the Green Bay Packers this season, following a successful offseason and their appearance in the Divisional Round of the 2023 NFL playoffs.

The Packers have a well-balanced roster with a strong mix of young players and veterans, positioning them as contenders for a deep playoff run this season. However, this depth of talent means Green Bay faces some difficult roster decisions during the preseason.

One player potentially on the chopping block is veteran offensive lineman Royce Newman. Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Newman is competing for a backup spot alongside Sean Rhyan.

Last season, the 26-year-old Newman played in all 17 games but only started two, a significant drop from his rookie season when he started 16 games. Despite this, the former Ole Miss lineman has improved his chances by making a notable financial decision.

Ken Ingalls reported on Tuesday that Newman accepted a $866K pay cut to remain with the Packers for training camp. Green Bay reduced Newman’s base salary from $3.1 million to the league minimum of $1.1125 million and added $1 million in performance bonuses.

However, Ingalls warned that nothing is guaranteed, and Newman could still be released after training camp. It’s a precarious situation for Newman, who has been a reliable depth player for the Packers, but the increased talent on the offensive line might make him expendable.