Before the NFL free agency Frenzy begins, teams will need to stock their financial positions and consider some difficult moves.
All 32 teams must comply with the league’s salary cap by the start of the new league year on March 12th. For some, the next few days and weeks may involve simply a restructuring agreement, and clearing a profession termination agreement to clear that bar. For others, however, this process requires the release of notable players in the cost-cutting move. The sequence will always rebuild a free agency, as the released players can quickly sign with other organizations and get a head start to their peers who have expired contracts.
More may be revealed after NFL Scouting is combined next week, but here are some of the biggest names that can be cut straight away (all cap counts courtesy of CAP):
Kirk Cousins, QB, Atlanta Falcons
General Manager Terry Fontenott claimed at the end of the season that Atlanta was “very comfortable” with the notion that he would maintain his second-year signal, Michael Penix Jr. Is it just a bluff? The Falcons will be added with a $65 million dead cap hit if they release the 13-year veteran, but as long as they move by March 17th, they will guarantee his $10 million roster bonus for 2026 You can avoid it. The road to the exit was revealed at “Good Morning Football” earlier this month, revealing that he injured his right shoulder and elbow in the 10th week. Releases with designations after June 1 seem to be the most reasonable solution, as cousins retain the no-trade clause.
NFL Stats Central: Latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, statistics, and more.
Derek Kerr, QB, New Orleans Saints
With the youngest coach in Kellen Moore’s league in control, the saints are set for what appears to be a transition year. However, the scope of the team’s reset could be revealed by how the nearly $51.5 million 2025 cap hit handles Carr, which requires some action. The 11-year veteran has already shot down the possibility of pay cuts, and he also holds a non-trade clause in his contract. But unless New Orleans is ready to accept the complete rift, it has been resisting for a long time. Dropting him might not be a very attractive option given the looming dead cap hit of over $50 million. Moore remained uncommitted when dealing with Carr’s future at his introductory press conference, but organizations that take over more than $54 million due to caps must immediately select a pass .
Kyle Juszczyk, FB, San Francisco 49ers
In 2024, the all-purpose standout said that general manager John Lynch was “harmed” by demands to cut his pay. This time, he may not be able to give his future issues a choice in the franchise. Juszczyk, who turned 34 in April, could be a luxury for a team preparing to reaffirm his financial outlook, which should be a substantial extension to quarterback Brock Purdy. The nine-time Pro Bowler was a key part of Kyle Shanahan’s system, but his cap figure is set to just under $6.5 million.
Davante Adams, WR, New York Jets
His best friend, Aaron Rodgers, is not yet official, but has already been rejected by the new administration. It appears that Adams will come out of himself next. The six Pro Bowl selection has earned the biggest quarterly cap hits not $38.34 million, allowing the Jets to clear nearly $30 million in their breakup way. Adams could either try to reunite with Rodgers at the quarterback’s next landing point or move ahead into the free agent market, which could potentially disregard the top pass-catchers and capitalize.
Tyler Rockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks
At nearly $31 million, his 2025 cap hit is currently set to be the fourth-largest of any recipient. That number seems unacceptable for the 32-year-old, who finished third in the team with catches (49) and receiving yards (600). Between the emergence of Jaxon Smith-Njigba and the pivot leading up to the landing attack, where manager Mike McDonald could win three receiver sets, it makes a lot of sense for Seattle. By releasing Lockett, you save $17 million cap.
Coupap, WR, Los Angeles Rams
The Super Bowl 56 MVP broke some news earlier this month when it revealed that the Rams were working to deal with him. But with a $12.5 million salary, and a $7.5 million roster bonus through March 16, Kupp will continue to offer a robust trade market, even if the Rams are willing to pay a significant chunk to drive the trade. It may not have it. However, if he clashes into the open market as a free agent, his outlook could change. With him fully released, Los Angeles gives the team $7.52 million in cap space while leaving them with more than $22.2 million dead cap hits.
Christian Kirk, WR, Jacksonville Jaguar
Kirk’s amazing four-year, $72 million contract in March 2022 helped accelerate the explosion of the recipient market. That deal doesn’t seem to have been missed at first, but the slot receiver couldn’t replicate the highs of his Jacksonville debut campaign. Clavicle. First-year coach Liam Cohen sets up a new offense and Brian Thomas Jr. is firmly in focus on his passing offense, with over $24 million cap hits moving forward with the release’s players There is little reason to do it. It can clear more than $10 million in space.
Evan Engram, TE, Jaguars
His departure may not be as clear as Kirk’s, but Engram faces a similar situation. The two-time Pro Bowler is approaching peak after recording a career-best of 114 catches and 963 receiving yards in 2023, but he averaged a career of 7.8 yards per reception last season, with hamstring and lips He missed a total of 8 games due to injury. Brenton Strange, the second pick in 2023, has already established himself as a capable alternative last season by tallying 40 catches for 411 yards.
Jack Conklin, OT, Cleveland Browns
Still surrounded by Desshaun Watson’s deal, Cleveland needs to be released and rarely does. The wise starting point is to say goodbye to Conklin, the two All-Pro who played in just one in 2023 after missing five games last season and tore multiple knee ligaments. Dawand Jones was able to take over as a starter on a line that could face major changes.
David Onyemata, DT, Falcons
Droping Grady Jarrett could also be for an organization that is currently dragged into an overload of nearly $12 million, as his departure frees up $16.25 million. However, splitting with two pro bowlers can turn out to be difficult for defenses that desperately need different manufacturers in advance, so the alternative is to drop Onyemata. Runstaff’s $16.25 million nose tackle is outrageous for players in his skill set, with 2024 draft picks Ruke Orhorhoro (2nd round) and Brandon Dorlus (4th round) , may represent the future of interior decoration.
Jonathan Allen, DT, Commander Washington
Ditching the proven interior pass rush might seem at odds with Washington’s offseason mission, especially as the team has the third largest cap space in the franchise ($75.2 million). However, Allen is set to score a $22.35 million cap hit, and his play is not consistent with the talent of other elites in his position in that category. As Elsan Newton in the second round of 2024 is waiting on the wing as a potential replacement for placing alongside Daron Payne, the commander goes ahead and pockets the $16.47 million cap savings I was able to do that.
Joey Bosa, OLB, Los Angeles Chargers
Bolt clinged to both the high-priced pass rush in his final offseason as both Bosa and Halil Mac accepted the pay cut. Jim Harbaugh’s second year is significantly surprising in his second year, with Mack set to test free agents, with Bosa carrying a $36.47 million CAP hit. That number is hard to swallow for players who have started 18 games only due to injuries, despite replacing the injured Mac as a selection of this year’s Pro Bowl. Los Angeles has more than $63 million in available cap space, but the $25.36 million savings may be too much to pass on, especially if the team brings home the Mac.
Von Miller, OLB, Buffalo Bills
Miller rediscovered the spark in 2024, recording six bags in 2023 after not notching one. When they handed out a six-year Pro Bowl selection for six years and a $120 million deal. Renegotiating a contract may be a good route for both parties, but something will need to be given to teams facing cap situations again this spring.
Jaire Alexander, CB, Green Bay Packers
Green Bay may have reached a breaking point with Alexander, who became the highest-paid cornerback in 2021, but they have only played seven games in each of the last two seasons. ”
Source link