NFL 2025 Roster Bubble Candidates

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertDecember 11, 2024
© USA TODAY Sports

Spotrac’s annual NFL Roster Bubble report identifies players that have the potential to be released, traded, or retire after the current 2024 season, including notable financial ramifications for each.

RELATED: 2025 Cap Hit Rankings

JUMP TO:

  • QB
  • RB
  • WR
  • TE
  • OL
  • DL
  • EDGE
  • LB
  • CB/S
  • S/T

QUARTERBACKS

This year's QB bubble list highlights an immovable contract, a few highly-drafted trade candidates, and a few savvy vets that could be passed over for a youth movement in the coming months.

PLAYER 2025 CAP HIT 2025 DEAD CAP OUTLOOK
Deshaun Watson (CLE, 29) $72,935,000 $172,770,000 The provided numbers here are inconceivable, but real, further compounding a titanic mess in Cleveland. Nothing would surprise us at this point, but a situation where the Browns eat a portion of the $92M remaining, packaged with a draft pick or two to facilitate a trade for Watson isn’t too wild - thought it would mean a dead cap hit at or around $100M when all is said and done. Until Cleveland says otherwise, this is a must-watch situation.
Matthew Stafford (LAR, 36) $53,666,666 $49,333,336 Stafford is playing well enough to keep around for 2025, but the contract offers the Rams a decent out after 2024 if they look to make an aggressive move this offseason. There’s $49.3M of dead cap to deal with, including $4M cash, so a move is in no way a likely outcome.
Derek Carr (NO, 33) $51,458,000 $50,132,000 Carr is a fringe bubble candidate both because of performance & contractual ramifications. The Saints could designate him a Post 6/1 release before March 16th, taking on dead hits of $21.4M in 2025; $28.6M in 2026.
Daniel Jones (NYG, 27) $41,605,000 $22,210,000 Jones was given every opportunity to win a 3rd year from his contract, but it wasn’t meant to be. NYG likely rips the dead cap band-aid off all at once here, taking on the $22.21M in 2025, freeing up $19.4M of cap.
Geno Smith (SEA, 34) $38,500,000 $13,500,000 Smith is a winning QB and a phenomenal resuscitation story, but he’ll remain a year-to-year player from here out regardless. The Seahawks don’t have a better option right now, but things can change quickly, and there’s $25M of cap to be freed here if needed. For the record, Smith is as much an extension candidate as he is a release.
Aaron Rodgers (NYJ, 41) $23,500,000 $49,000,000 Whether it’s a trade, a release, or a retirement, the Jets are on the hook for $49M of dead cap to move on from Rodgers in 2025. A Post 6/1 transaction is the most likely outcome, splitting that number into $14M for 2025; $35M for 2026.
Gardner Minshew (LV, 28) $14,000,000 $7,660,000 $3.16M of Minshew’s 2025 salary is fully guaranteed, so an outright release would mean a bit of a buyout here (though offset language could help refund some of that down the road). 
Bryce Young (CAR, 23) $10,351,383 $22,427,997 The Panthers have already received initial trade calls on Young, so it’s not inconceivable that they continue to listen this offseason. A Post 6/1 trade would free up $4.2M of cap.
Anthony Richardson (IND, 22) $9,271,099 $20,087,382 The Colts reportedly fielded trade calls for Richardson at the deadline, but appear poised to attempt to develop him as quickly as possible on the field. If the current administration decides he’s too big of a project for their current window, a pre-draft move could be possible, though it would cost Indy around $1.6M of cap space.
Will Levis (TEN, 25) $2,602,409 $4,827,467 With $2.85M of Levis’ remaining salary fully guaranteed, the Titans will lose salary cap space to outright release him (even after June 1st). Barring a trade (which would free up $632k of cap before 6/1), it’s likely that Levis remains with Tennessee, even if he relinquishes the QB1 role in 2025.
Aidan O'Connell (LV, 26) $1,157,345 $254,690 O’Connell has been in and out of the starting lineup for LV across 2023-2024, but has no real path to keep that role going forward. He’s cheap enough to stash as a backup for another season or two, but The Raiders could just opt for the $900k of savings here as well.
Skylar Thompson (MIA, 27) $1,120,554 $20,554 Thompson’s foothold as a backup in Miami seems to be extremely shaky, and the Dolphins will need every bit of the $1.1M of cap to be opened up here AND a viable QB2 to account for Tua’s fragility.

RUNNING BACKS

As running back salaries have plummeted, the annual bubble list for these players has shrunk, as teams are more than happy to keep these players at veritable values. The following list outlines a free agent bust or two, a potential high-profile trade candidate, and more than a few role players headed toward the chopping block next spring.

PLAYER 2025 CAP HIT 2025 DEAD CAP OUTLOOK
Miles Sanders (CAR, 27) $8,175,000 $2,950,000 Sanders hit the IR with an ankle injury that likely ends his unsatisfying tenure in Carolina. A $1M roster bonus due March 14th is a hard deadline here.
Jamaal Williams (NO, 29) $4,630,000 $2,340,000 Williams is a role player in New Orleans, and likely won’t eclipse the 200 snap mark in 2024. A $700,000 roster bonus due March 16th becomes the date to watch.
Raheem Mostert (MIA, 32) $4,065,000 $1,000,000 Injuries have torpedoed Mostert’s 2024, setting up Miami to move forward with De’Von Achane and Jaylen Wright in 2025 and beyond.
Austin Ekeler (WSH, 29) $5,110,000 $1,500,000 Ekeler has shown flashes of his old self at times in 2024, but the Commanders likely opt for the $3.6M of space as they push to improve a blossoming roster.
Antonio Gibson (NE, 26) $4,000,000 $3,175,000 Gibson is the clear RB2 in NE right now, and $1.175M of his 2025 salary is fully guaranteed, but the Pats have cap space to burn if there’s an opportunity to upgrade here.
Zack Moss (CIN, 27) $4,975,000 $1,500,000 Moss was brought in to take over Joe Mixon’s RB1 role, but was quickly usurped by Chase Brown. He’s likely too expensive to hang as a role player in 2025.
Breece Hall (NYJ, 23) $2,868,337 $934,050 The Jets may be headed for an aggressive tear down this spring, which could lead to core names hitting the trade block. With Braelon Allen in the fold, Hall might be expendable per the current window.
Gus Edwards (LAC, 29) $4,250,000 $1,125,000 An ankle injury & father time dampened Edwards’ move to LA, putting his 2025 campaign in jeopardy. A long-term extension for JK Dobbins could force the Chargers to go a bit cheaper at RB2.
Cordarrelle Patterson (PIT, 33) $3,750,000 $950,000 Patterson has been involved in less than 10% of Pittsburgh’s snaps this season. Even with Najee Harris slated for free agency, the Steelers likely opt for the cap space here initially speaking.
DeeJay Dallas (ARZ, 26) $3,083,333 $666,667 Dallas is a Top 15 kick returner, but finds himself squarely in the RB4 role offensively speaking. 
Zamir White (LV, 25) $1,285,983 $185,983 White was given a chance to grab the RB1 role by the reins this season, but has done little to prove he’s worthy. He holds a non-guaranteed $1.1M salary for 2025.
Ty Chandler (MIN, 26) $1,174,710 $74,710 The acquisitions of Aaron Jones & Cam Akers pushed Chandler into a heavy reserve role for much of 2024. There’s a chance he can work his way back into favor next offseason, but a non-guaranteed $1.1M salary makes him expendable.

Wide Receivers

PLAYER 2025 CAP HIT 2025 DEAD CAP OUTLOOK
Davante Adams (NYJ, 32) $38,340,666 $8,362,664 Adams may or may not be tied to Aaron Rodgers’ future in NY, but regardless of that outcome, the 2 year, $72.5M ($36.25M per year) contract has to go first.
D.K. Metcalf (SEA, 27) $31,875,000 $21,000,000 Extension most likely, trade possible?
Tyreek Hill (MIA, 30) $31,186,750 $69,599,500 Retirement? Trade? Hill is fully guaranteed through 2025 so it would take a blockbuster action to move on from him this winter.
Tyler Lockett (SEA, 32) $30,895,000 $4,000,000 Lockett renegotiated before 2024 to stick around, but the deal includes no guarantees in 2025. A $5.3M roster bonus is due March 16th, so that’s the early cut off date.
Deebo Samuel (SF, 29) $28,290,153 $31,517,612 Entering a contract year in SF, Deebo is realistically a (Post 6/1) release, trade, and extension candidate all at once.
Christian Kirk (JAX, 28) $27,268,000 $13,536,000 Kirk broke his collarbone during a Week 8 matchup, further putting his future in JAX up in the air. None of his $16.5M walk year is guaranteed.
Allen Lazard (NYJ, 29) $13,184,000 $6,552,000 Lazard’s production has predictably increased with Rodgers at the helm, but that should prove a moot scenario come March.
Kendrick Bourne (NE, 29) $7,900,000 $2,800,000 Bourne has completely fallen out of favor with this NE offense since returning from an ACL injury in Week 5 & has no guaranteed compensation in 2025.
Treylon Burks (TEN, 24) $4,572,143 $4,572,143 The Titans will almost certainly decline Burks’ 5th-year option for 2026, and it’s not out of the question that they give up on the former #18 overall pick altogether. A late round pick trade could be on the table.
Cedrick Wilson (NO, 29) $3,400,000 $1,000,000 The Saints annual push toward cap compliancy requires flexing out contracts like these.

Top