Right. I was confusing cash with cap going from memory. Here's the cap situation by player for 2015.
http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/green-bay-packers/cap/

I don't think you can blame Thompson for honoring that after last year's production, but I do think the contract was structured to minimize their risk last year to offset a potential decline. The snap count and practice availability was a good surprise last year. At his age I hope they manage that a bit more this year.

Peppers has such unique athleticism for his size and rare ability to make big plays at big times but also has been accused of disappearing for stretches.

Next year his cap hit is $10.5 mil ($8 mil cash) with $2.5 dead money if he's cut. With another productive year he may play out his whole contract. When he was signed not many would have predicted that.