Tag: NFL salary cap

Cincinnati Bengals 2025 cap space ranking ahead of offseason

Where do the Bengals rank vs. the rest of the NFL in free cap space?

The Cincinnati Bengals will have major decisions to make this upcoming offseason, not the least of which includes what to do with wide receiver Tee Higgins. The good news is the Bengals do enter the offseason with a healthy amount of cap space.

According to Over the Cap, the Bengals currently have about $47.6 million in salary cap. That ranks 11th in the league. The New England Patriots lead the way with an incredible $120.5 million cap space. The New Orleans Saints, as they tend to be, sit at the bottom as they are currently about $52.3 million over the cap. Over the Cap is currently projecting the salary cap to be $272.5 million for next season.

This is with quarterback Joe Burrow set to count $46.25 million against the cap. The Bengals could very well restructure his contract to make most of his $25.25 million base salary for 2025 into a signing bonus and free up space that way.

Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is due for an extension as well, which would also ease up his current cap number of $21.816 million.

Those are just two ways the Bengals can add to their already solid amount of cap space. With the task of revamping the defense and trying to keep Higgins, the Bengals can use all the cap space they can get as they hope to remain in a championship window after missing the postseason for a second straight season.

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Broncos projected to have 11th-most salary cap space in 2025

The Broncos are projected to have the 11th-most salary cap space in the NFL this offseason.

The Denver Broncos were hamstrung by a $53 million “dead money” salary cap hit in 2024 after releasing veteran quarterback Russell Wilson. His cap hit will drop to $32 million in 2025 before Wilson is completely off the team’s books in 2026.

With a much lower hit from Wilson’s contract in 2025, the Broncos might be freed up to make some splashes during NFL free agency. Denver is currently projected to have $48,035,255 in salary cap space this spring, according to an estimate from OverTheCap.com.

That represents the 11th-most cap space in the NFL. Elsewhere in the division, the the Las Vegas Raiders ($92.5 million) rank second and the Los Angeles Chargers ($73 million) rank fourth. The Kansas City Chiefs ($11.5 million) rank 24th in the NFL.

The Broncos have already given big extensions to key in-house players including guard Quinn Meinerz, cornerback Pat Surtain, outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper and left tackle Garett Bolles. Denver now has 19 players scheduled to become free agents in March.

With a starting quarterback on a rookie contract for at least two seasons, the Broncos are in position to spend big going into 2025.

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49ers salary cap space in good spot entering 2025 offseason

The 49ers salary cap management is pretty good.

The San Francisco 49ers find themselves in an advantageous spot with the salary cap entering the 2025 offseason.

While Brock Purdy’s pending extension will undoubtedly force the club to make some adjustments to their spending long-term, it isn’t likely to have a substantial impact this offseason. Thanks to some contract maneuvering last season, the 49ers will enter 2025 more than $47 million under the projected $272.5 million salary cap according to Over the Cap.

Thanks to an NFL-high $50,096,964 in carryover space from the 2024 season, the 49ers will have the 12th-most cap space entering the offseason.

Here’s what each team’s salary cap space is according to OTC:

1. New England Patriots: $122,067,139
2. Las Vegas Raiders: $107,308,173
3. Washington Commanders: $96,028,698
4. Arizona Cardinals: $81,576,219
5. Chicago Bears: $80,486,337
6. Los Angeles Chargers: $74,428,749
7. Minnesota Vikings: $71,330,620
8. Green Bay Packers: $61,381,852
9. Detroit Lions: $59,127,286
10. Cincinnati Bengals: $57,138,434
11. Los Angeles Rams: $56,570,193
12. San Francisco 49ers: $56,564,041
13. Pittsburgh Steelers: $54,303,012
14. Denver Broncos: $53,471,089
15. New York Giants: $53,435,270
16. Tennessee Titans: $49,842,691
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: $35,765,938
18. Indianapolis Colts: $32,703,628
19. Carolina Panthers: $29,083,104
20. New York Jets: $27,854,725
21. Philadelphia Eagles: $25,662,494
22. Baltimore Ravens: $23,455,824
23. Kansas City Chiefs: $19,945,685
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $19,935,539
25. Dallas Cowboys: $14,998,777
26. Houston Texans: $6,909,720
27. Atlanta Falcons: $4,039,709
28. Buffalo Bills: $2,012,780
29. Miami Dolphins: -$2,827,083
30. Seattle Seahawks: -$16,465,244
31. Cleveland Browns: -$23,390,523
32. New Orleans Saints: -$51,390,583

For the 49ers their cap space will need to be carefully managed since they will have some dead money on their books over the next couple of seasons, and in the near future Purdy’s cap number will skyrocket and make things a little trickier in terms of keeping or signing high-priced talent.

With plenty of holes to fill on both sides of the ball, how the 49ers manage the advantageous place they’re in from a cap standpoint entering the offseason will play a key role in determining how quickly they bounce back and how wide they can open a new Super Bowl window.

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Of course Stephen Jones is setting the stage for another inactive Cowboys offseason

Don’t expect a very active free agent period in 2025 because the richest franchise in sports history are claiming poverty yet again. | From @ReidDHanson

2024 was “The Season of Stale” in Cowboys Land. Not only did Dallas allow the vast majority of their internal free agents to depart unopposed, but the Cowboys turned up their noses at virtually every noteworthy outside option as well.

Citing fiscal restraints as the reason, the Cowboys chose to fill their ever-growing list of needs with rookies and supposedly-opportunistic post-draft bargain finds. The results were rather predictable, with the Cowboys entering the season with enormous talent deficiencies at both ends of their once-impressive depth chart.

The front office’s offseason inactivity was explained by Stephen Jones as a necessary step in order to afford high-cost re-signings like Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. Publicly available contract numbers begged to differ, showing multiple avenues to free up spending cash without resulting in crippling damage down the road.

Alas, the front office stood strong and fielded a roster worthy of their efforts. With the Cowboys 5-8 and on track for their first losing season since 2020, there was hope the front office had learned their lesson, that fans have weathered the storm, and better days are ahead in the coming offseason. Based on recent statements from Jones, those hopes appear to be misplaced.

“I think we knew we were going to have a challenge this year and next year,” Jones said of his ability to spend. “It’s going to be really, really tight because we still have some money left over from some guys who aren’t here today. And you’re going to have some other guys that won’t be here in the future that you still have their cap count.”

The dead money Jones alludes to is certainly a concern. According to Over the Cap the Cowboys have $27,323,246 in dead money this season. It’s a noteworthy amount but by no means a number other teams haven’t dealt will. Based on a November report there are 26 teams with more dead money than Dallas. It’s not exactly the albatross Jones is making it out to be.

Even if the Cowboys cut players like Terence Steele in 2025 and take on the dead money ramifications as a result, they’ll be in far better shape than the majority of the NFL. Simple adjustments to veteran contracts and a new contract to Micah Parsons could easily free up north of $100 million over the offseason. It would allow the Cowboys to properly build a roster around Dallas’ most talented players and do so without pushing too much money into the future.

Of course, the front office would have to want to spend that money for this to be a reasonable option for them and based on past behavior and recent statements, there is no indication they want to spend money.

The Cowboys are once again the most valuable franchise in all of professional sports so it’s understandable they

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Contract details for new Commanders CB Marshon Lattimore

A look at how Marshon Lattimore’s contract impacts the Commanders’ salary cap.

The Washington Commanders made a huge move at Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, acquiring Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore from the New Orleans Saints.

The Commanders sent third-, fourth- and sixth-round selections in the 2025 NFL draft to New Orleans in exchange for Lattimore and a 2025-fifth-round selection.

Lattimore, 28, is a four-time Pro Bowler who signed a five-year, $97.6 million extension in 2021. So, in this trade, the Commanders had to take on the remaining portion of Lattimore’s contract. However, few teams are in better salary cap shape than Washington.

Before Tuesday’s trade, the Commanders had $25 million in cap space available for this season, according to Spotrac.

How does Lattimore impact Washington’s salary cap? Thanks partly to the Saints’ continuous maneuvering to stay under the cap, Lattimore’s cap number for the remainder of 2024 is $605K. New Orleans’ last restructuring of Lattimore’s deal made it much easier to deal Lattimore.

While he has two years remaining on his contract, he does have a possible out after this season. If things go well, it will make sense for the Commanders and Lattimore to continue their relationship for years to come.

Here’s a look at Lattimore’s cap numbers for the next three years:

  • 2024: $605K
  • 2025: $18 million
  • 2026: $18.5 million

Those cap numbers are excellent for a cornerback of Lattimore’s caliber. However, if he remains healthy for the final eight games and plays well, he and Washington could renegotiate the deal.

Either way, the Commanders have the salary cap room to add Lattimore’s deal and be serious players in free agency next spring. Spotrac currently has the Commanders with $104 million in cap space for 2025, with Lattimore’s numbers on the books.

Za’Darius Smith contract gives the Lions options with their new EDGE

Za’Darius Smith’s current 2-year contract gives the Lions options with their new EDGE

The Detroit Lions have a new pass rusher on the defense in EDGE Za’Darius Smith. Lions GM Brad Holmes pulled the trigger on a trade that sends two Day 3 picks to the Cleveland Browns for the 32-year-old Smith, plus a 2026 seventh-round pick, in return.

Smith should play extensively as the most accomplished pass rusher on the Lions roster. And he comes affordable for the rest of the 2024 season; Detroit is responsible for just $605,000 for the remainder of this year, with the Browns eating over $4.5 million in dead cap room.

The rest of Smith’s two-year, $23 million contract that runs through 2025 is now Detroit’s responsibility, and it’s a little complex. That’s because there are some options and void years that complicate it, though the Lions have options and control over how to handle them.

Smith has a base salary of a very affordable $1.2 million for the 2025 season and it’s not guaranteed. However, there is a $2 million bonus due on the third day of the 2025 NFL calendar. There is also a per-game bonus of $510,000 baked into the contract, as well as four void years at the end of Smith’s contract.

The Lions can keep the contract as-is, but that seems unlikely given the higher cap hits that assuming the void years and bonus structure creates: $5.4 million in 2025 and $5.6 million in 2026.

Because nothing is guaranteed after the 2024 season, the Lions could walk away from that deal, cut Smith and take on no dead cap room. They could also agree to a new deal with Smith in the offseason, one that would provide some guaranteed money to the defensive end but less long-term cap hit to make a more appealing contractual marriage for 2025. That, of course, depends on how well Smith fits into the Lions culture and defense for the rest of the 2024 campaign.

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Raiders have considerable salary cap room heading into 2024 season

With the season around the corner, the Raiders are still sitting on a lot of unspent cap space.

All the expectations/hopes the Raiders would add a big ticket free agent ahead of training camp never came to pass. They had plenty of money with which to do it. And they still have plenty of money. But whether they spend it, or if there’s even any player worth spending it on is the question.

Currently they have some $28.8 million in cap room burning a hole in their pocket according to overthecap.com

They could save it for a rainy day. For instance if they have an injury and there happens to be a moderately pricy free agent out there they could add.

Or take on a player with a large contract in a trade.

Or they could give an extension to one of their own players.

That last one seems the most likely. And perhaps the smartest as well.

There are two players who would be worth holding that money to give an extension — Nate Hobbs and Malcolm Koonce. As both players are in the final season of their rookie contracts and are worthy of getting a big money deal to stick around.

There are several other players who could be deserving of an extension and who wouldn’t be nearly as pricey as Hobbs and Koonce.

Either way, it’s a bit strange to have the amount of money the Raiders have. Only four teams have more cap money available. Meanwhile, ten teams have less than five million and 18 teams have less than ten million.

Ravens vs. Packers: Top photos from preseason finale at Lambeau Field

We’re looking at the top photos from the Baltimore Ravens preseason loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field

It’s only the preseason, but the Ravens will head towards the 53-man roster cutdown date with a sour taste after a 30-7 loss to the Packers at Lambeau Field on Saturday afternoon. Josh Johnson was 5-7 for 71 yards and one passing touchdown, while Michael Pratt led Green Bay in passing, going 8-12 for 80 yards and one touchdown. The Packers were dominant on the ground, amassing 193 rushing yards, as Ellis Merriweather led all ball carriers with 16 yards for 74 yards. The Packers held the ball for nearly ten minutes longer than the Ravens and out-gained Baltimore by 326 yards to 177 for John Harbaugh’s bunch. With Baltimore now turning its attention toward the Chiefs, here’s an instant analysis of the loss. ***

Ravens vs. Falcons: Top photos from Baltimore’s 13-12 win in preseason Week 2

We’re looking at the top photos from the Baltimore Ravens 13-12 win over the Atlanta Falcons in the preseason Week 2 matchup

Backup quarterback Josh Johnson was perfect on the afternoon, and rookie Emory Jones added a 56-yard touchdown throw to Dayton Wade in the second half to lift the Baltimore Ravens to a 13-12 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium.  The Ravens snapped a three-game preseason losing streak, while Atlanta had 343 yards of total offense but was 4-13 on third downs. Baltimore had another putrid day on the ground, rushing for 71 yards on 30 attempts.  With the team set to start preparation for the preseason finale, here are the top photos from the win over Atlanta. ***

Top photos from Ravens 16-13 loss to Eagles in preseason opener

We’re looking at the top photos from the Baltimore Ravens 16-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the preseason opener at M&T Bank Stadium

The Ravens returned to the field for live game action for the first time since their heartbreaking, 17-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game.

Baltimore hosted Philadelphia at M&T Bank Stadium, with both teams on similar arcs, and championship paths. Starting quarterback Lamar Jackson sat out along with key starters on both sides of the football.

Eagles kicker Jake Elliott made a 49-yard field goal with no time remaining to give the Philadelphia Eagles a 16-13 victory after Baltimore quarterback Emory Jones — who had just entered the game — was sacked and fumbled on the next play.

The recovery by Patrick Johnson gave Elliott his final opportunity of the night.

With Baltimore set to start preparation for the Falcons in the second week of the preseason, we’re looking at the top photos from Friday night.

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