With most of the NFL’s cap space having dried up and most of the league’s top free agents having inked new contracts, many front offices will begin focusing on extensions for impending free agent veterans and players who are about to conclude their rookie contracts.
Naturally, part of these extension efforts will be focused on simply retaining players. However, front offices will also use these extension opportunities to help clean their books for future offseasons. With that said, we’ve compiled the current 2024 cap space outlooks for all 32 NFL teams (h/t to Spotrac.com):
- Houston Texans: $87.77MM
- New England Patriots: $85.43MM
- Chicago Bears: $78.01MM
- Washington Commanders: $67.65MM
- Tennessee Titans: $64.85MM
- Indianapolis Colts: $62.93MM
- Detroit Lions: $49.21MM
- Arizona Cardinals: $45.80MM
- Cincinnati Bengals: $44.43MM
- New York Giants: $44.36MM
- Carolina Panthers: $35.95MM
- Kansas City Chiefs: $35.66MM
- Minnesota Vikings: $32.45MM
- Las Vegas Raiders: $28.64MM
- Atlanta Falcons: $23.04MM
- Los Angeles Rams: $21.85MM
- Jacksonville Jaguars: $5.14MM
- Philadelphia Eagles: $5.10MM
- Seattle Seahawks: $5.01MM
- New York Jets: $346K
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $216K
- Green Bay Packers: $-2.25MM
- Baltimore Ravens: $-5.56MM
- Pittsburgh Steelers: $-6.66M
- Dallas Cowboys: $-6.67MM
- San Francisco 49ers: $-31.20MM
- Denver Broncos: $-37.89MM
- Buffalo Bills: $-46.20MM
- Miami Dolphins: $-51.46MM
- New Orleans Saints: $-80.98MM
- Los Angeles Chargers: $-83.60MM
- Cleveland Browns: $-85.08MM
The Texans are in the midst of a rebuild, so it’s not a huge surprise that they sit atop the list of projected 2024 cap space. The organization currently has only three players projected to have cap hits north of $10MM in 2024 (Laremy Tunsil, Shaq Mason, and Maliek Collins). The Texans could use the 2024 offseason as an opportunity to make the team more competitive, but the team’s hopes of eventually becoming a contender will depend on their draft picks, including a pair of first-round picks in next year’s draft.
After the Patriots went on an uncharacteristic spending spree during the 2021 offseason, things have mostly been quiet over the past two years. Many of those big-money deals from 2021 are set to come off the books in 2024, providing the Patriots with an opportunity to load up during the fourth year of Mac Jones‘ rookie contract. Some of that cap space will surely go to extensions, including safety Kyle Dugger (as we explored the other day).
There are 11 teams that, as currently slated, wouldn’t be cap compliant heading into the 2024 regular season. Those teams will eventually clear up the necessary amount of breathing room, but that will be easier said than done for some organizations. The Browns have six players who are projected to have cap hits north of $18MM in 2024 (Deshaun Watson, Myles Garrett, Amari Cooper, Denzel Ward, Joel Bitonio, and David Njoku), and while reworking some of those pacts will clear up some space, it won’t completely solve Cleveland’s cap predicament.
The Chargers are another interesting team to watch, especially with Justin Herbert likely commanding a lucrative new contract. Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, Keenan Allen, and Mike Williams are projected to count for 59 percent of the team’s 2024 cap, meaning the front office will surely have to make some tough decisions as they look to navigate the 2024 offseason.
Texans do not have a pair of 1st round draft picks in next year’s draft. They had 2 picks but traded one to the Cardinals to move up in the draft and select Will Anderson. The Texans still have the 1st Rd pick they received from Cleveland during the Deshaun Watson trade.
Bears have 78 million right now. Plus paying Whitehair and Jackson 31 million next year when they can walk away for 10 saving 21 million. Plus whatever rollover money they can save this year. So realistically they should have over 90 million in cap room. They’re well set up to be players again next year.
Looks like Mike Williams’ injury-riddled career with the Chargers is coming to an end. If the Chargers are going to keep 1 of their expensive WR’s I would keep Keenan Allen. Use this year to get rookie Quentin Johnson assimilated into the offense and then let Mike Williams go the way of Old Yeller, or trade him whichever is more convenient and more humane.
DC is keeping their books clean for the new ownership and front office.
NYJ are going to be in hole after re-upping Aaron & their DT.
Won’t Rodgers have to go on another “darkness retreat” before committing to a re-up?
1/3 of the league being projected in the negative to start next offseason is crazy. There’s going to be even more good players cut after productive seasons just to get out of that
How has cap space rn?
Isn’t there a league/player agreement concerning spending cap dollars?
There is. Teams have to spend 89 percent of cap per year. But it is over a 4 year period.