Green Bay Packers GM Brian Gutekunst pointed to long-term flexibility and the desire to open up opportunities for others as leading reasons for why the team released veteran defensive lineman Mike Daniels one day before the start of the training camp.

Gutekunst also confirmed the team had been actively attempting to trade Daniels since the draft, but talks with other teams broke down in recent weeks.

“We feel pretty good about the depth we have in our defensive line room,” Gutekunst said Wednesday from Lambeau Field. “We wanted to make sure we had some flexibility moving into the years ahead.”

Daniels, a Pro Bowler in 2017, played in only 10 games last season after suffering a season-ending foot injury and was about to enter the final year of his contract in 2019.

“Mike was in the last year of his contract,” Gutekunst said. “Then what we did during free agency and during the draft. You’re always looking at different things to improve your football team, not only for the moment right now but looking ahead into the future.”

Gutekunst and the Packers spent heavily on the defensive front this offseason, signing Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith and drafting Rashan Gary and Kingsley Keke. The moves reshaped the look of the defensive line and brought the Packers closer to the body types desired by defensive coordinator Mike Pettine.

In terms of financial flexibility, releasing Daniels saved the Packers roughly $8.3 million on the cap in 2019, freeing up money to spend both this season and in 2020.

The defensive line will now move forward with Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, Montravius Adams, Tyler Lancaster, Keke and Fadol Brown anchoring the group. Za’Darius Smith and Gary are also expected to play snaps along the interior of the defensive line.

“We’re pretty excited about the guys we got. Mike’s a good player, and you never want to see good players walk out the door. But there’s also guys who are eager and ready to have their shot, and we’re excited to see what they can do,” Gutekunst said.

Gutekunst even suggested the defensive front will look different in 2019, not just personnel-wise but also scheme-wise.

A centerpiece of the new-look defense is Clark, who Gutekunst called a “dominant player in the NFL.” He also confirmed signing Clark to a new deal would be a priority for the Packers.

“We would certainly like to get that done at some point,” Gutekunst said.