As veteran report dates for training camps near, NFL payrolls are largely set. Extension- and trade-related matters remain, but as far as high cap numbers go, the list will not change much between now and Week 1. After we ran down the top cap charges on the offensive side of the ball last week, here are the highest 2024 figures tied to defenders:
- Maxx Crosby, EDGE (Raiders): $30.48MM
- T.J. Watt, EDGE (Steelers): $30.42MM
- Kenny Clark, DL (Packers): $27.49MM
- Joey Bosa, EDGE (Chargers): $26.11MM
- Khalil Mack, EDGE (Chargers): $25.39MM
- Montez Sweat, EDGE (Bears): $25.09MM
- Harold Landry, EDGE (Titans): $23.8MM
- Jaire Alexander, CB (Packers): $23.49MM
- Marlon Humphrey, CB (Ravens): $22.88MM
- Tremaine Edmunds, LB (Bears): $22.44MM
- Cameron Heyward, DL (Steelers): $22.41MM
- Jeffery Simmons, DL (Titans): $21.65MM
- Daron Payne, DL (Commanders): $21.61MM
- Jonathan Allen, DL (Commanders): $21.44MM
- Minkah Fitzpatrick, S (Steelers): $21.36MM
- Vita Vea, DL (Buccaneers): $20.97MM
- DeMarcus Lawrence, EDGE (Cowboys): $20.46MM
- Quinnen Williams, DL (Jets): $20.4MM
- Grady Jarrett, DL (Falcons): $20.38MM
- Myles Garrett, EDGE (Browns): $20.17MM
- Trey Hendrickson, EDGE (Bengals): $20.17MM
- Derwin James, S (Chargers): $19.86MM
- Budda Baker, S (Cardinals): $19.03MM
- Charvarius Ward, CB (49ers): $18.4MM
- Marcus Williams, S (Ravens): $18.03MM
While a handful of quarterbacks are set to break the single-player record for cap hit — after this offseason’s $30.6MM cap spike — this year’s defensive hits do not check in on that level. Crosby and Watt are at $30MM, but those numbers do not match last year’s top defender cap hit — attached to then-Giants D-lineman Leonard Williams ($32.26MM). With Aaron Donald now in the dead money category following his retirement and Chris Jones extended, some new faces have climbed toward the top of this list.
The Raiders gave Crosby a $6MM 2024 pay bump to reward a former Day 3 pick who has unlocked another level while attached to an extension signed in 2022. Rather than greenlight a new deal for their top defender, the Raiders moved money around on his through-2026 extension to accommodate a rising market. This season now marks the highest cap hit on this Crosby contract.
Although the Chargers worked out pay-cut agreements with Bosa and Mack, both edge rushers are still among the most expensive — cap-wise — players in the league. The March reductions, however, moved Bosa’s cap number down from $36.6MM and lowered Mack’s from $38.5MM. With James tied to the second-highest 2024 safety figure, Jim Harbaugh‘s team — while clearing out costs on offense — remains among the top defensive spenders.
Two years remain on Watt’s deal, which has paid out its guaranteed money. With Nick Bosa having secured a defender-record extension and lower-production players — compared to Watt, at least — Brian Burns and Josh Allen surpassing the future Hall of Famer’s 2021 extension, a third Steelers-Watt agreement will likely be rumored soon. Heyward has expressed interest in a fourth Steelers contract, which would reduce his lofty cap figure, but the accomplished veteran has not heard much from the team’s side on this matter.
The Packers have begun talks with Clark on what would be a third extension. His current $17.5MM-per-year contract has fallen to 15th among active D-linemen. A new deal would update that figure for a reliable starter while reducing his 2024 cap hit. Despite rumors about the Pack separating from Alexander coming out in December, GM Brian Gutekunst shot down any such move associated with the league’s highest-paid corner.
Baker requested a trade last year, eyeing a deal closer to the James-Fitzpatrick level. The longtime Cardinal DB is in the final year of an extension agreed to back in 2020. Although the Cardinals are rebuilding, Baker has remained part of Jonathan Gannon‘s team. He expressed hope to stay in Arizona beyond 2024, and the Cardinals have the contract-year safety — the team’s longest-tenured starter, now that D.J. Humphries is off the roster — on the team going into his age-28 season.
Insane money. Stupid, too.
Why?
We keep hearing about how the Saints always put themselves in salary cap jail but they haven’t a player on either the offensive or defensive list. Something doesn’t add up.
Interesting point. I missed that.
They just keep moving it forward. Already minus 88 million for 2025
Yep. It’s crazy what they have done. They have actually wiggled themselves to about $12million below the cap currently, which is not bad. But next year already at negative $88m is crazy. They are only about $25m under the cap for players already rostered for 2026, with a huge chunk of that going to Carr. I am guessing they will take the dead hit on him at some point.
They are essentially all-in for the next two years. After that they can choose to move one direction or the other. Not good for Saints fans though, being all-in with relatively no chance of winning it all.
Mostly good names on this list. Even the “maybe a tad expensive for the production so far” guys like Sweat or Landry could conceivably have a breakout year and compete with the top level elites at their positions. Even though the numbers are eye-popping, if you had to pick 25 players in the league to make it up, most of these names would be in the periphery. There really isn’t anyone on this list who seems to be just truly a catastrophic waste.