With the trade deadline nearing, more player movement can be expected during the coming days. Of course, a key factor in any deals will be the financial situation for contenders aiming to bolster their rosters for the second half of the campaign.
Courtesy of Over the Cap, here is an updated look at each teams’ cap space:
- San Francisco 49ers: $54.13MM
- Cleveland Browns: $45.16MM
- New England Patriots: $36.61MM
- Las Vegas Raiders: $34.59MM
- Detroit Lions: $27.53MM
- Washington Commanders: $23.44MM
- Dallas Cowboys: $20.75MM
- Arizona Cardinals: $19.44MM
- Tennessee Titans: $18.26MM
- Jacksonville Jaguars: $17.12MM
- Green Bay Packers: $13.96MM
- Indianapolis Colts: $11.11MM
- Philadelphia Eagles: $10.36MM
- Minnesota Vikings: $9.48MM
- Cincinnati Bengals: $8.98MM
- Pittsburgh Steelers: $8.93MM
- Seattle Seahawks: $8.19MM
- Atlanta Falcons: $8.16MM
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $7.83MM
- Los Angeles Chargers: $7.72MM
- Chicago Bears: $6.14MM
- Houston Texans: $6.01MM
- New York Jets: $5.1MM
- Miami Dolphins: $5.02MM
- Baltimore Ravens: $4.36MM
- Buffalo Bills: $2.37MM
- Kansas City Chiefs: $2.35MM
- New Orleans Saints: $2.15MM
- Los Angeles Rams: $1.91MM
- Denver Broncos: $1.77MM
- New York Giants: $1.51MM
- Carolina Panthers: $1.12MM
Just like last year, the 49ers find themselves with considerable cap space to work with. The team has several reasons to roll over as many funds as possible into the offseason, however, with Brock Purdy eligible for an extension and the likes of Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir and Talanoa Hufanga on track for free agency. Major investments including a commitment beyond 2024 would thus come as a surprise. 
San Francisco is among the teams to watch regarding an addition, and major injuries on both sides of the ball could lead to a stop-gap solution being targeted. The 49ers may also be open to moving away players before the deadline, though, with Ward being named as potential candidate to be dealt. Sitting at 3-4, the team’s bid to return to the Super Bowl has not gone as planned to date, but a notable midseason addition could certainly change things.
Having lost Aidan Hutchinson until at least the Super Bowl, the Lions have an obvious need along the edge. Replacing his production with any one addition will not be feasible, but bringing in at least a rotational option would not come as a surprise. Indeed, Detroit has been involved in the edge market with respect to showing interest in some of the veterans who could be on the move.
That list no longer includes Haason Reddick, but the Lions have also been connected to Za’Darius Smith. The Browns have already moved Amari Cooper, so it would come as little surprise if the team were to deal away the three-time Pro Bowler in a move which would allow him to return to the NFC North. Smith certainly seems to be open to a trade, and Detroit would easily be able to absorb the remainder of his $1.2MM 2024 salary.
While Smith could be on the move, fellow Cleveland edge rusher Myles Garrett is (understandably) seen as untouchable. That is also the case for Raiders start Maxx Crosby, with owner Mark Davis making it clear a trade will not be considered before or after the deadline. Even though the Titans have been active already on the trade front, they too will not entertain a deal involving two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons. While talks have taken place related to Cooper Kupp, the Rams do not expect to move on from the former Super Bowl MVP.
The receiver position remains one to watch even with Davante Adams (Jets), Cooper (Bills) and DeAndre Hopkins (Chiefs) already joining new teams. As the Panthers consider selling off pending free agents, Diontae Johnson could be available for a mid-round pick. In the case of the Jaguars, Christian Kirk is still a candidate to be dealt (although he is not a pending free agent). Teams like the Steelers and Chargers have yet to add a pass-catcher, but they have shown interest and could pull off a move in the coming days.
This is why I generally pay no attention to the nfl “cap”. The fact that the niners, lions and cowboys are in the top 10 with available space even though they have handed out some massive deals shows how the cap is just a way for teams to say “eh, we’re not interested in spending money”. With void years, dead money, players restructuring their deals before the ink is dry. With post June cuts sighing bonuses and such. The whole is a load of Taco Bell 12 hours after consumption.
Im waiting for the day when player X signs a deal for a 100mm over 5 years and the cap hit is 20mm per year. Done. End of story.
I think everyone can find problems with the salary cap system. It’s based on revenue income but why should an owner who consistently puts a bad product on the field get the same amount as an owner who puts playoff teams on the field? Stop rewarding owners who don’t care about the fans.
You couldn’t be more wrong. Owners definitely care about the fans…their money is very important to the owners lol
Most of the cap space is relatively tiny compared to the value of the franchises. I doubt teams are trying to save $8M here or there. There are only ten teams with $15M+ in cap space, and at least a couple of those teams are probably accruing cap space for future signings.
I certainly won’t pretend I know all the complexities of the salary cap, but as a Packer fan I am certain that dead money hinders the ability to build a roster year to year. They’ve had $50ish million in dead money this and last year (each, not combined) due in large part to Rodgers, Bahktiari, Jones and a few others.
Another $50 mil would have gone a long way in adding a couple solid pieces via free agency, trade, extensions, etc.
No doubt other teams could benefit as well, if not for the dead money they’re carrying.
What are Carolina and the Giants doing to have so little cap space and be this bad?
Poorly run teams with bad QB’s
Dallas has more cap than I thought. Why are they not doing more in free agency last spring or at the trade deadline. Where is the sense of urgency from the owner/GM. Obviously I’m not a Cowboys fan but what do Dallas fans think?