The Kansas City Royals made a major statement heading toward Spring Training, locking in their franchise cornerstone shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. to an historic 11 year, $288.7M contract extension. The deal far outweighs any contract the Royals have ever handed out, ranking up there with some of the most impactful extensions the sport has ever seen.

The Salary Breakdown

Before we get too deep down the rabbit hole here, let’s make note of the financial structure of the deal, starting with a $7,777,777 signing bonus, & a $2M salary for the upcoming 2024 season. Witt was likely in line for a $1M salary in 2024 before this contract was signed. VIEW THE FULL DEAL

2024: $2M base salary, $7,777,777 signing bonus
2025: $7M base salary
2026: $13M base salary
2027: $19M base salary
2028: $30M base salary
2029: $35M base salary
2030: $35M base salary
2031: $35M base salary (player can opt-out)
2032: $35M base salary (player can opt-out)
2033: $35M base salary (player can opt-out)
2034: $35M base salary (player can opt-out)

3 year, $89M club option
2035: $33M
2036: $28M
2037: $28M

The Conditions

In exchange for a slightly light payout through his arbitration eligible years (2025-2027), Witt Jr. afforded himself the ability to opt out of this contract four consecutive times (after 2030, 2031, 2032, & 2033).

If we assume that he opts out when first able to, the contract would have truncated down to a 7 year, $148.7M deal, and a 30-year-old Bobby Witt Jr. would be hitting the open market for the first time.

If this thing were to get to the finish line (all 11 years are exercised), the team would have an option to extend the contract another 3 years, $89M through the 2037 season, when Witt will be 37-years-old.

The Rankings

The Royals just handed out the largest contract in their franchise history by a whopping $206.7M.

1. Bobby Witt Jr.: 11 years, $288,777,777
2. Salvador Perez: 4 years, $82,000,000
3. Alex Gordon: 4 years, $72,000,000

This is the 16th largest total value contract in MLB history, slightly behind Manny Machado’s 10 year, $300M contract in San Diego, & slightly ahead of Xander Bogaerts’s 11 year, $280M deal with the Padres.

This becomes the 2nd largest Pre-Arbitration extension in MLB history, behind only Fernando Tatis Jr.’s 14 year, $340M deal in San Diego. If all options are exercised however, Bobby Witt Jr.’s contract will max out at 14 years, $377.7M, far surpassing FTJ. In terms of average salary, Witt Jr.s $26.2M is easily the highest for a contract signed during the pre-arbitration process.

When zooming out to the entire league for the 2024 season, Bobby Witt Jr.’s $26,245,455 average salary currently ranks 24th in MLB, just behind Christian Yelich in Milwaukee ($26.9M)

Concluding Thoughts

The Royals may not be “ready to win” with this contract, but locking in a cornerstone player (at a cornerstone position) has a way of jumpstarting success, even if it may be a few years early. KC has bolstered their starting rotation this winter with a few timely signings (Michael Wacha & Seth Lugo), and there may be enough young talent ready to blossom on this roster to take them into a 70+ win campaign for 2024 (after winning just 56 last season).

From Witt’s standpoint, this is generational money out of the gate, with loads of control to manipulate his career at very important points. With many players struggling to secure one early opt-out condition in their long-term deals, Witt garnering four is absolutely unprecedented.

He has the ability to let the Royals make a push into Division/League contention over the next 7 seasons ($148.7M), then decide his own way forward from there. It’s a best of both worlds scenario that will put pressure on Kansas City’s front office to escalate their spending & aggressiveness - an easier said than done proposition for a team that struggles to attract top talent each winter.

The Royals should be expected to aggressively work the international signing periods and become active at trade deadlines, where the playing fields become a little more even.

Either way, an historic contract for a young, 5-tool shortstop can only send the Royals’ community into the 2024 season with a positive outlook.

VIEW THE FULL DEAL

With the Super Bowl now upon us, we'll take our annual look at how this year's starting QBs align with those who have started the big game since the year 2000. The following breakdown shows each starting quarterback's salary cap figure for their Super Bowl season, and the percent of the NFL league salary cap it represented in that year.

Notable Notes

• Patrick Mahomes 16.52% league cap allocation is the 3rd largest since 2000, behind only Peyton Manning (18.88%, 2009), & Mahomes himself last season (17.19%)
• Brock Purdy's 0.40% cap hit allocation is the lowest for a starting QB since 2000. Tom Brady (0.46%, 2001) was the low mark for 22 years.
• 7 of the 48 Super Bowl Starting QBs over the past 24 years carried a less than 1% cap allocation. Brock Purdy becomes the 2nd consectutive NFC QB to carry this designation (Hurts, 2022, 0.79%)
• The last <1% cap QB to win the Super Bowl? Nick Foles (0.96%, 2017).
• The average cap % for the last 5 Super Bowl winning QBs: 7.8%
• The average cap % for the last 5 Super Bowl losing QBs: 6.1%
• This Super Bowl projects to be the first since 2016 (Brady/Ryan) where at least one of the starting QBs does not sign a contract extension in the following offseason. Patrick Mahomes agreed to a cash restructure this past summer, & Brock Purdy is ineligible for a new contract.

The Baltimore Orioles made their first big splash of the offseason (fresh off an ownership sale announcement), in acquiring starting pitcher Corbin Burnes from the Milwaukee Brewers. We’ll spend a few minutes detailing the full terms of the trade, the immediate financial impact, & where things may be headed going forward.

The Complete Trade

Baltimore Orioles Acquire
SP Corbin Burnes

Milwaukee Brewers Acquire
INF Joey Ortiz
P D.L. Hall
#34 Competitive Balance Round A in 2024

Burnes brings a career 3.26 ERA, 129 ERA+, 11 strikeouts per 9 inning, 1.055 WHIP resume in 106 starts to the Orioles. He instantly becomes their ace (and arguably the best pitcher they’ve boasted in a decade). He’s struck out 677 batters over the past 3 seasons, carrying a near 13 WAR in that timeframe. It should be noted however that the overpowering portion of his game has declined over the past three seasons, & many of the advanced metrics portray Burnes as a much more “hittable” player than he was in 2021 (his peak production season thus far).

For Milwaukee, Joey Ortiz ranked 91st on the recent list of Top 100 prospects in MLB. He was called up in 2023 for a few games after carrying strong numbers in AAA and projects to be a big league ready shortstop (which could lead to even more trade movement for the Brewers in the coming weeks).

Hall came into the league projecting as a starting pitcher, but hasn’t been able to stick in that role as of yet. Milwaukee likely gives him a chance to make their rotation, but could eventually utilize him as a role pitcher in their bullpen.

The #34 overall pick gives the Brewers a chance to bolster their farm system a bit this July (competitive balance draft picks are eligible to be traded). Obviously there’s a bit of an unknown here, but this portion of the deal probably offers the biggest upside for Milwaukee when it’s all said and done.

2024 Financial Impact

Corbin Burnes has already locked in a $15.637M salary for the upcoming 2024 season by avoiding arbitration with Milwaukee back on January 11th. He immediately steps in as Balimore’s highest paid player & tax salary for the upcoming season. This was Burnes’ third and final run through arbitration, meaning he’s eligible for free agency next winter for the first time in his career.

Will Baltimore push for an immediate extension? It’s certainly possible, but Burnes and his agency may not be very motivated to lock anything in with the open market so close at this point. The 29-year-old currently projects to a 7 year, $166M contract in our system.

With Burnes in tow, the Orioles projected 40-man tax payroll now pushes over the $115M mark, well below the initial $234M threshold, but $25M more than they posted in 2023, and $32M more than they finished out in 2022.

On the other hand, the Brewers swap a $15M+ player for two pre-arbitration salaried players, and now project toward a $130M tax payroll for the upcoming season. This ranks 20th in MLB, behind teams like Kansas City, Colorado, Arizona, & Minnesota. Are the Brewers fully mailing this current iteration of division contention in? If so, look for players such as RP Devin Williams, & SS Willy Adames to be floated in trades sooner rather than later.

Future Thoughts

This is the very beginning of what could be an extremely successful (and subsequently very expensive) window for the Baltimore Orioles. When flipping ahead to post-2024 free agency, Burnes will be joined by Anthony Santander & John Means, both whom should carry large roles for the team this upcoming season.

As the new ownership takes a hold of things, the front office will soon (if not already now) be pressured into locking in long-term extensions for young stars Gunnar Henderson & Adley Rutschman, who are likely to further advance their value in the next few months.

And then there’s the looming contract purchase for 2022 #1 overall pick Jackson Holliday, who will make a case to break camp with the Orioles in the coming weeks, but should certainly become an impact player in the 2025 campaign.

The balancing act between keeping the tax payroll leveled, signing enough outside talent to remain legitimate contenders, & stagger internal contracts while keeping the core unit happy is a tough ask, but if it’s done correctly (Houston, Arizona recently), it can lead to plenty of October baseball.

Another early postseason exit has Cowboys Nation up in arms, but with news that Head Coach Mike McCarthy will be returning for the 2024 campaign, the immediate offseason focus turns to QB Dak Prescott. We’ll outline a few options that Dallas possesses with their current QB1 in the coming weeks.

Do Nothing

Prescott is entering a contract year in 2024, set to earn $34M cash against a whopping $59.455M cap hit. This represents 24.5% of the projected $242.5M league salary cap for next season (Aaron Rodgers’ league high $40.3M cap hit in 2023 represented 17.9% of this past season’s cap).

Highest Single Season Cap Hits

1. Matt Ryan (2022, IND), $40,525,000 (19.4%)
2. Aaron Rodgers (2023, GB), $40,313,568 (17.9%)
3. Ryan Tannehill (2022, TEN), $38,600,000 (18.5%)
4. Patrick Mahomes (2023, KC), $37.1M (16.5%)
5. Jimmy Garoppolo (2018, SF), $37M (20.8%)

In other words, 24.5% of the league cap would be significantly higher than any team has ever allocated before.

Process a Mini Conversion

There are two elements to Dak Prescott’s cash output for 2024, a $29M base salary, & a $5M roster bonus, set to be paid out March 17th, 2024.

Dak’s contract already contains $36,460,000 of dead cap in 2025 once the contract voids. Any sort of cap conversion will only add to this figure, so if Dallas’ plan may be to move on from Prescott after the 2024 season, they’ll want to tread lightly in this regard.

By converting the $5M roster bonus + $10M of the base salary into a signing bonus, spread out over 5 years (2024 + 4 void years), Dak’s cap hit for next season can drop from $59.455M down to $47.4M, or 19.4% of the projected league salary cap. This maneuver increases the voided dead cap in 2025 from $36.46M to $48.46M. Sounds like a lot (and it is), but keep in mind that the 2025 league salary cap should be in the $260M range, keeping things within compliance from a percentage standpoint.

This option would be the best way for Dallas to manage their roster in 2024 without investing any more guaranteed cash to Dak Prescott.

Process a Full Conversion

If the Cowboys are hesitant to extend Dak this offseason, but still want to maximize their ability to build out a roster around him in 2024, they can process a complete base salary & roster conversion.

This involves lowering his $29M base salary down to a league minimum $1.21M, converting the remaining $27.79M + his $5M roster bonus into a signing bonus.

The move results in a cap decrease from $59.455M down to $33.223M, a savings of $26.2M for the upcoming season. 2024’s pleasure becomes 2025’s pain however, as the dead cap hit waiting when the contract voids has now increased to $62.7M (nearly 25% of the projected salary cap).

This option should only be on the table if the Cowboys are more than likely to extend Dak Prescott before his contract voids (2 days prior to the 2025 league year), but want to wait until the very last possible moment to actually do so (See: The Negotiation Timeline for Dak’s 1st Extension)

Negotiate an Extension

Here’s the thing. Dak Prescott knows a few things that don’t really need to be said out loud.

1. His current cap hit is a problem for the Cowboys, and must be adjusted somehow
2. A viable replacement QB is not currently on the Dallas roster (despite Trey Lance’s draft projections)
3. Based on the void timing & structure of his current contract, if the Cowboys don’t extend Dak this offseason, he will walk into the open market next March - barring an offer that goes above and beyond to prevent him from doing so.

So what does an “above & beyond” offer look like right now? Something like $60M per year, $115M guaranteed, and only 3 new years - allowing Dak to be right back in this situation again before he hits 35 years old.

This is the most expensive option (obviously), but also the most logical one. Dak was a leading MVP candidate for much of the 2023 regular season. The coaching staff may turnover in the next 18-24 months, but it seems unlikely that the QB will as well.

Trade Dak this Summer

It’s only here because it’s an option, & I promised you the options Dallas has available to them. Trading Prescott before June 1st means a dead cap hit of $61.9M (a $2.4M cap loss). So that leaves us with a Post June 1st transaction here.

• Problem #1: His $5M roster bonus gets paid March 17th
• Problem #2: 2024 draft picks wouldn’t be included in the trade
• Problem #3: Dallas would be freeing up $34M in cap space in June, after all of the free agents have been snatched up.
• Problem #4: Trying to trade a player on an expiring contract who will require nearly $200M from his new team at the last minute doesn’t exactly lead to great return value. Once everyone knows you need to trade a player, you might as well start cutting your asking price in half.
• Problem #5: Dak is a great quarterback, in a league that requires a great quarterback to win. Finding another great quarterback isn’t something you can just say you’re going to do - and then do.

Concluding Thoughts

Not much left to be said here. Dallas dragged out Dak Prescott’s first go around at a veteran contract and were forced into a truncated, high-cash structure. That’s exactly where things stand again just 3 years later, so the only likely option is a smaller than usual, top of the market QB extension. Dak and the Cowboys agree on a 3 year, $175M extension, with the largest signing bonus in NFL history (Lamar, $72.5M).

Dallas keeps their QB1, frees up significant 2024 cap space, & locks in WR CeeDee Lamb to pair up with Dak for the next 3 years fully guaranteed. It leads to a few cap casualties throughout the roster, but for the most part, this Cowboys group runs things back in 2024, looking to last a little longer in the month of January this time around.

Adrian Beltre (Third Baseman)

Contracts: 9
Career Earnings: $220M

Signed out of the Dominican Republic by the Dodgers in 1994 for a $23,000 bonus, Adrian Beltre spent the better part of 21 seasons in the majors for LA, Seattle, Boston, & Texas.

He signed a 3 year, $5M pre-arbitration extension in 2000, following his first full season in the bigs that bought out his first run through arbitration. His three year arbitration payout  (2002-2004) totaled just $11M, as it wasn’t until that 2004 season (right before his first run at free agency) that he truly broke out.

Beltre would find a healthy 5 year, $64M free agent contract from the Mariners the following winter, a deal he would play out in its entirety before re-entering the open market in 2010.

The Red Sox would snatch up the 31-year-old on a 1 year, $10M contract that contained a $5M player option in 2011. 50 doubles, 30 homers, and 100+ RBIs later, Beltre would be declining that option, and would cash in on the open market yet again, to the run of 5 years, $80M with the Texas Rangers. Not only did Texas take on an $18M club option in 2016, but they would extend Beltre another 2 years, $36M through the 2018 campaign - the final of his career.

When it was all said and done, Beltre had reeled in over $220M on the field over his illustrious career, a number that ranks him 18th all-time on the total earnings list.

Joe Mauer (Catcher)

Contracts: 4
Career Earnings: $223.275M

Drafted #1 overall back in 2001, Mauer spent all 14 seasons of his MLB career with the Minnesota Twins. He agreed to a $5.15M signing bonus to begin his financial career, filling out two minimum salary seasons in 2005 & 2006 before finding a much heftier pay day.

Prior to the 2007 season, Mauer signed a 4 year, $33M extension with the Twins that would buy out all of his arbitration eligibility. Before entering the final year of that contract, Minnesota re-upped the face of their franchise to the tune of $184M over 8 seasons, placing him financially with another career team captain, Derek Jeter (10 years, $189M for the Yankees).

This massive extension would be Mauer’s last professional contract as 3X batting champ retired after the 2018 season at 35-years-old. He earned over $223M on the field for his efforts, 16th all-time right now, and by far the most ever earned by a catcher (Yadi Molina, $163M).

Todd Helton (1st Baseman)

Contracts: 5
Career Earnings: $164.4M

The #8 overall pick back in 1995 played all 17 seasons of his career as a member of the Colorado Rockies. His financial career began with an $892,500 signing bonus shortly after his draft selection, with his MLB debut coming shortly thereafter (August 2nd, 1997). Helton would play out the 1998 season on a league minimum $190,000, before the Rockies handed him a 4 year, $12M extension to bypass his arbitration eligibility.

Prior to Year 3 of that 4 year extension, Colorado locked in the face of their franchise to a massive 9 year, $141.5M contract, running through the 2011 season. The deal included $13M deferred, the last installment of which was just paid out this past summer.

As he began to age out of his productive ability, Helton & the Rockies agreed to a slight restructure toward the end of the monster contract, converting some of his 2011 salary into signing bonus, while tacking on a 2 year, $9.9M extension to keep him in the fold, but at a more manageable cash/tax salary for the team.

Helton would retire from MLB in October of 2013, having earned over $164M on the field for his efforts.

The 2023 NFL season is down to it's Final Four, with the #1 Baltimore Ravens, #3 Detroit Lions, #3 Kansas City Chiefs, & #1 San Francisco 49ers set to face off in this upcoming weekend's Conference Championships. We'll take a look back at the 2023 financials that helped bring them here, including offseason spending, notable draft picks, positional spending, & 2024 outlooks.

A Few Notable Notes

• The #1 & #3 overall cap hits (Mahomes $38M, Goff, $31M) have made the Final Four
• The 49ers carried the least amount of total cap ($199.5M) in all of football this season
• At $289M+, the Ravens carried the 2nd highest cash payroll in football.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens held the #2 overall cash payroll in 2023, thanks largely to QB Lamar Jackson’s historic $80M payout this past season. As per usual, the Ravens were near the bottom of the league in terms of free agent spending ($41.5M), bringing in a dozen or so veteran minimum contracts, and a sizable 1 year deal for WR Odell Beckham, Jr. Extensions for Jackson ($260M),  & DT Broderick Washington ($15.75M) drove much of the offseason, while a $14M rookie contract for WR Zay Flowers appears to be one of the best values in all of football out of the gate.

2023 Positional Cash Spending

Eyeing a 2024 Pay Day

DT Justin Madubuike posted a career year (by a mile), finishing 2023 with 13 sacks, 56 tackles & 2 forced fumbles. He projects to a 4 year, $82M contract this March.

LB Patrick Queen excelled next to Roquan Smith, putting himself in line to make a financial splash this March. Tremaine Edmunds’ 4 year, $72M deal in Chicago stands as Queen’s floor.

WR Odell Beckham, Jr. didn’t put together a season of statistics worthy of much attention, but his ability to rise up in big situations may be the single most important difference between Ravens old and Ravens present. Tacking on another year to this contract (around $12M) to keep the current deal from voiding makes sense here.

2024 Cap Outlook

The Ravens are currently operating with an estimated $5.6M of Top 51 cap space in 2024, with only 38 players under contract. Cap conversions for Lamar Jackson, Mark Andrews, & Ronnie Stanley (to name a few) can open up another $29M more.

Related: Ravens Offseason Analysis

Detroit Lions

The Lions have officially arrived, bringing a mix of Dan Campbell’s grit & toughness with flashes of offensive explosiveness. This is a well built roster, boasting young, inexpensive talent on both sides of the ball. Detroit handed out $67M of guaranteed in free agency this past offseason, adding the likes of CB Cameron Sutton, LB Alex Anzalone, S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, & RB David Montgomery. From a total cash standpoint, the Lions ranked 27th in the league, paying out over $213M in 2023. For the most part though, this season was about the immediate impact of their recent draft - including RB Jahmyr Gibbs, TE Sam LaPorta, & S Brian Branch, all of whom appear to be long-term starters on this roster.

2023 Positional Cash Spending

Eyeing a 2024 Pay Day

WR Amon-Ra St. Brown is entering a contract year in 2024, coming off a 119 catch, 1,515 yard, 10 TD season in Detroit. He projects toward a 4 year, $108M extension in our system.

QB Jared Goff is entering a contract year in 2024, set to earn $26.6M against a $31.6M cap hit. Goff posted an outstanding 2023, finishing the season with 4,575 yards, & 30 TDs while completing over 67% of his passes. He projects toward a 4 year, $150M extension in our system (but $180M seems a more logical floor here).

After 8 seasons in Detroit, LT Taylor Decker finally gets a taste of winning. He enters a contract year in 2024, set to earn $13.7M against a $19.1M cap hit. He projects toward a 4 year, $60M extension in our system.

2024 Cap Outlook

The Lions enter 2024 with around $61M of Top 51 cap space, but with only 31 players currently under contract. It’ll be an offseason full of internal extensions, & free agent signings as this Detroit franchise continues to build up a more long-term window of contention.

Related: Lions Offseason Analysis

Kansas City Chiefs

Betting against Patrick Mahomes in January is not a recommended strategy, as the 28-year-old reminded us over the past two weeks. At $236M, KC held the 21st highest cash payroll in 2023, benefiting from a cheaper arsenal of weapons, and a few notable defensive players still on rookie contracts this past season. A huge portion of their offseason money was allocated to RT Jawaan Taylor ($60M guaranteed), & DE Charles Omenihu ($8.6M guaranteed), while the quick development of 2nd round pick WR Rashee Rice certainly factored in down the stretch.

2023 Positional Cash Spending

Eyeing a 2024 Pay Day

After an unsuccessful holdout, DT Chris Jones’ contract will once again come into focus this winter. Will the two sides come to a compromising multi-year agreement this time around? Jones’ projects toward a 3 year, $85M contract in our system.

CB L'Jarius Sneed remains one of the best kept secrets in all of football, making big plays in big moments every single week. He’s the #2 CB in KC behind Trent McDuffie, but will certainly be seeking near CB1 money on the open market this winter. He projects toward a 4 year, $64M contract in our system.

S Justin Reid isn’t the most decorated DB in the league, but he’s solidified a good, young secondary in KC for two seasons. Tacking on 3 new years to his 2024 season at around $9M-$10M per year makes sense.

2024 Cap Outlook

KC rolls into the offseason with around $27M of Top 51 cap space under their belt, with only 41 players currently under contract. Cap conversions on Patrick Mahomes, Joe Thuney, & Jawaan Taylor can open up over $54M more.

Related: Chiefs Offseason Analysis

San Francisco 49ers

If you can find a 7th round starting QB who costs you $2.6M over a 3-year span, I highly recommend it. The Niners get (at least) 1 more season of ultimate value out of Brock Purdy, who used some of that extra dough to bring in Javon Hargrave ($40M guaranteed), & extend Nick Bosa ($122.5M guaranteed). San Francisco held the 6th highest cash payroll in the league this past season, paying out over $266M in total. Unlike in 2023, the 49ers currently hold all of their Top 100 draft picks, hoping to find their next wave of financial value as they continue their window of NFC contention.

2023 Positional Cash Spending

Eyeing a 2024 Pay Day

Heading toward a fully guaranteed $14.1M 5th-year-option season, WR Brandon Aiyuk remains the 4th option in this Niners offense, but he’s excelled in this offense over the past two seasons. Can San Francisco justify another $20M+ weapon on this team? Aiyuk projects toward a 4 year, $92M extension in our system.

CB Charvarius Ward has more than outplayed the $27.5M earned over the past two seasons. With a cap hit that spikes to near $18M next year, tacking on additional years to lower the 2024 figure makes sense for all parties here. Ward projects toward a 4 year, $50M extension in our system.

OL Jon Feliciano is more of a part-time role player at this stage of his career, but his presence in depth & starting spots has dramatically improved the consistency of San Fran’s OL this past season. Bringing him back on a slightly north of minimum deal (1 year, $4M?) should be attractive for all here.

2024 Cap Outlook

The Niners will hit the offseason with almost no cap space to operate with initially, but they have plenty of avenues to generate room as needed. Cap conversions for core players McCaffrey, Juszczyk, Samuel, Kittle, Williams, Armstread, Hargrave, & Warner can open up over $87M of cap space this coming March.

Related: 49ers Offseason Analysis

Every week, Spotrac calculates the True Value of each NFL player based on their cumulative production in a given season, against their average annual salary. This results in a “Madden Grade” type output for every player, that in turn provides us with our annual Best Value NFL Roster. Here’s how the 2023 campaign shook out:

RELATED: Spotrac’s Calculated Team Value Rankings

QUARTERBACK

Brock Purdy (49ers)

TVS: 96.99

Purdy likely finishes within the Top 3 of the MVP vote when it’s all said and done, due to a combination of outstanding decision making - and a very talented SF roster. Purdy’s $934,252 average salary ranked 89th among active QBs. The 2022 7th round pick isn’t eligible for an extension until after the 2024 season.

ALSO: Josh Allen (Bills, 92.95), C.J. Stroud (Texans, 89.82), Full List

RUNNING BACK

Kyren Williams (Rams)

TVS: 98.81

One of the big reasons the Rams were relevant in 2023 - let alone a playoff team, Williams ran for 1,000 yards more in his second season than he did in his rookie campaign. He caught 32 passes, finding the end zone 15 total times for LA, and his $992,601 average salary ranked 95th among active running backs this past season. The 2022 5th rounder won’t become extension eligible until after the 2024 season.

ALSO: Raheem Mostert (Dolphins, 98.28), Breece Hall (Jets, 91.91), Full List

WIDE RECEIVER

CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys)

TVS: 99.70

Lamb’s production output has significantly increased each of his first 4 NFL seasons, culminating with a monster 2023 (135 catches, 1,749 yards, 12 TDs). His $3.5M average salary ranked 61st among 2023 Wide Receivers, but Dallas’ days of value are likely over. Lamb holds a $17.9M fully guaranteed salary in 2024, and a $28.8M market value in our system. There’s a very real world where he becomes the highest paid WR in the history of football in the coming weeks.

TOP VETERAN: Tyreek Hill (Dolphins, 87.29)
ALSO: Amon-Ra St. Brown (Lions, 99.30), Nico Collins (Texans, 98.82), Full List

TIGHT END

Sam LaPorta (Lions)

TVS: 99.71

Year 1 of the LaPorta project exceeded expectations across the board (86 catches, 889 yards, 10 TDs). His $2.3M average salary ranked 36th among active Tight Ends, offering the Lions extraordinary value for at least two more seasons. He’s on track to reset the position financially after the 2025 campaign.

ALSO: Trey McBride (Cardinals, 97.33), George Kittle (49ers, 97.00), Full List

LEFT TACKLE

Christian Darrisaw (Vikings)

TVS: 98.46

For the second straight season, Darrisaw finds himself to be the best value Left Tackle in all of football, carrying a $3.3M average salary (26th among active LTs). The 2021 #23 overall selection is now extension-eligible for the first time in Minnesota, projecting toward a massive 4 year, $98.5M extension in our system.

ALSO: Tristan Wirfs (Buccaneers, 97.34), Trenton Brown (Patriots, 93.43), Full List

Guard

Kevin Dotson (Rams)

TVS: 99.08

After a lackluster 2022 campaign, Dotson was acquired by LA from the Steelers in exchange for a few later round pick swaps last August. He proceeded to be one of the most efficient guards in the league, establishing himself as one of the better pending free agents this coming March. Dotson’s $988,454 average salary ranked 116th among active Guards last season.

TOP VETERAN: Greg Van Roten (Raiders, 93.62)
ALSO: Quinn Meinerz (Broncos, 98.68), Samuel Cosmi (Commanders, 97.14), Full List

CENTER

Drew Dalman (Falcons)

TVS: 98.82

Dalman chimed in as the #6 best value Center in 2022, but really took his play to the next level in 2023. The 2021 4th round pick is now extension-eligible for the first time, projecting toward a 4 year, $52M contract in our system.

TOP VETERAN: Connor Williams (Dolphins, 86.65)
ALSO: Creed Humphrey (Chiefs, 96.52), Lloyd Cushenberry (Broncos, 92.46), Full List

RIGHT TACKLE

Penei Sewell (Lions)

TVS: 97.64

After a breakout season in 2022, Sewell soars to the top of the list this past campaign, setting himself apart from the rest of the notable, young, Right Tackles in the league. His $6M AAV ranked 17th among active RTs last season, but this is a player soon to reset his positional financial market sooner rather than later. Sewell projects toward a 4 year, $90M extension in our system.

ALSO: Morgan Moses (Ravens, 89.56), Spencer Brown (Bills, 85.92), Full List

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

Justin Madubuike (Ravens)

TVS: 99.05

One of the more underrated stars of the season, Madubuike posted 13 sacks, 56 tackles, and 2 forced fumbles for one of the league’s best defenses. It’s a career, breakout year for a pending free agent who now projects toward a 4 year, $80M contract in our system.

TOP VETERAN: Zach Sieler (Dolphins, 90.86)
ALSO: Christian Barmore (Patriots, 98.51), Kobie Turner (Rams, 97.33), Full List

EDGE DEFENDER

Josh Allen (Jaguars)

TVS: 99.52

The Jaguars faltered down the stretch, but that shouldn’t take away from another outstanding year, & 5 straight seasons of productive improvement from “that other Josh Allen”. The pending free agent is a top franchise tag candidate who projects to a 5 year, $120M contract in our system this winter.

TOP VETERAN: Jadeveon Clowney (Ravens, 96.08)
ALSO: Jonathan Greenard (Texans, 98.07), Micah Parsons (Cowboys, 97.73), DE, OLB

LINEBACKER

Tyrel Dodson (Bills)

TVS: 97.67

Dodson stepped into the starting role for Buffalo in Week 4, as the Bills’ defensive injuries began to pile up. He more than held up his end of a 1 year, $2M contract, factoring greatly into Buffalo’s push into the postseason down the stretch. Will the 25-year-old secure a multi-year guarantee on the open market this time around?

ALSO: Ernest Jones (Rams, 93.74), Kyle Van Noy (Ravens, 89.64), Full List

CORNERBACK

DaRon Bland (Cowboys)

TVS: 99.61

Bland stepped in for the injured Trevon Diggs during the Cowboys’ Week 3 game and never looked back, posting 69 tackles & a whopping 9 interceptions through the remainder of 2023. The 2022 5th rounder has 2 years, $2M non-guaranteed remaining on his rookie contract, providing Dallas with at least one more year of potential value.

TOP VETERAN: Mike Hilton (Bengals, 91.00)
ALSO: Paulson Adebo (Saints, 93.88), Devon Witherspoon (Seahawks, 93.54), Full List

SAFETY

Antoine Winfield Jr. (Buccaneers)

TVS: 99.44

The 1st-Team All-Pro but non-Pro Bowler gave us zero chance to snub it when it came to value. Winfield capped off his rookie contract with 122 tackles, 6 forced fumbles, & 3 interceptions, putting him in line for a 2024 franchise tag while projecting toward a 5 year, $94M contract in our system. This conversation begins at $21M per year however.

TOP VETERAN: Julian Love (Seahawks, 83.85)
ALSO: Xavier McKinney (Giants, 99.29), Jevon Holland (Dolphins, 97.58) Free Safeties, Strong Safeties

KICKER

Chase McLaughlin (Buccaneers)

TVS: 99.94

McLaughlin made 29 of 31 attempted field goals in 2023 while going a perfect 33 for 33 on extra points this past season, all while playing on a veteran minimum $1.1M contract in Tampa Bay. It seems fair to assume that these two sides will continue this marriage in 2024.

ALSO: Cameron Dicker (Chargers, 89.75), Brandon Aubrey (Cowboys, 87.68), Full List

PUNTER

A.J. Cole (Raiders)

While we don’t track punting statistics at Spotrac, it felt necessary to include the 1st-Team All-Pro selection here. Cole led the NFL with a net average of 45.1 per punt, with 34 of them landing inside the 20 yard line this past season. The 28-year-old holds 2 years, $6.3M non-guaranteed left on his $3M per year contract in Las Vegas.

Spotrac’s 2024 NFL Offseason Series continues with a look at each of the four AFC North teams, breaking down their estimated Top 51 cap space, pending unrestricted free agents, a few notable bubble players, and potential ways to free up more cap space this winter. 

AFC: NORTH | EAST | SOUTH | WEST
NFC: NORTH | EAST | SOUTH | WEST

Chicago Bears

The Bears fell into a pretty nice situation here. How they’ll handle the #1 overall pick, Justin Fields, etc… remains to be seen, but when also factoring in over $60M of Top 51 cap space this offseason, they stand to hold as much power as any team in the league this winter. Will Chicago subtract a few pieces and ramp up even more cap space, or will this be an offseason of addition?

NOTABLE PENDING UFAS

QUARTERBACK
Bubble: Justin Fields

RUNNING BACK
D'Onta Foreman
Bubble: Travis Homer

WIDE RECEIVERS
Darnell Mooney, Equanimeous St. Brown, Trent Taylor

TIGHT ENDS
Robert Tonyan Jr., Marcedes Lewis

OFFENSIVE LINE
Lucas Patrick, Dan Feeney
Bubble: Cody Whitehair

DEFENSIVE LINE
Justin Jones

EDGE DEFENDERS
Rasheem Green, Yannick Ngakoue

LINEBACKERS
None.

SECONDARY
Jaylon Johnson (CB),
Bubble: Eddie Jackson

SPECIAL TEAMS
Patrick Scales (LS)

CAP CLEARING POSSIBILITIES

• Trade QB Justin Fields, freeing up $3.2M of cap
• Release RB Travis Homer, freeing up $1.8M of cap
• Extend WR D.J. Moore, lowering his $16M cap hit for 2024. Moore projects toward a 3 year, $71M extension in our system.
• Process a full base salary conversion on TE Cole Kmet, freeing up $7M of cap when factoring in 1 void year
• Release OL Cody Whitehair, freeing up $9.1M of cap
• Process a full base salary conversion on OL Nate Davis, freeing up $6.1M of cap when factoring in 3 void years.
• Process a full base salary + $5M roster bonus conversion on LB Tremaine Edmunds, freeing up $15M of cap when factoring in 2 void years.
• Process a full base salary conversion on LB T.J. Edwards, freeing up $3.8M of cap when factoring in 3 void years.
• Release S Eddie Jackson, freeing up $12.5M of cap

RELATED LINKS

• Bears’ 2024 Salary Cap
• Bears’ 2024 Free Agents

Detroit Lions

Hard not to root for what the Lions have become in 2023. Can they use the 2024 winter to take things to the next level? The offseason likely starts with a brand new contract for QB1 Jared Goff, who enters a contract year this season. The Lions carry around $61M of Top 51 cap space, with rookie contract value all over this roster.

NOTABLE PENDING UFAS

QUARTERBACK
Teddy Bridgewater, Nate Sudfeld

RUNNING BACK
Craig Reynolds

WIDE RECEIVERS
Josh Reynolds, Donovan Peoples-Jones

TIGHT ENDS
None.

OFFENSIVE LINE
G Jonah Jackson, T Matt Nelson, G Halapoulivaati Vaitai, G Graham Glasgow

DEFENSIVE LINE
None.

EDGE DEFENDERS
Charles Harris, Romeo Okwara, Jalen Reeves-Maybin
Bubble: John Cominsky
LINEBACKERS
Julian Okwara

SECONDARY
S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, CB Kindle Vildor, S Will Harris, CB Emmanuel Moseley
Bubble: Tracy Walker

SPECIAL TEAMS
K Michael Bagdley, LS Jake McQuaide

CAP CLEARING POSSIBILITIES

• Extend QB Jared Goff, lowering his current $31.6M cap hit for 2024. Goff projects toward a 4 year, $150M extension in our system, but it seems logical to assume a $40M per year starting point with this negotiation.
• Process a full base salary conversion for RB David Montgomery, freeing up $3.3M of cap when factoring in 3 void years.
• Extend LT Taylor Decker, lowering his current $19.1M cap hit for 2024. Decker projects toward an extension that holds the same $15M AAV he’s been playing on for 4 seasons.
• Process a full base salary conversion on C Frank Ragnow, freeing up $5.4M of cap when factoring in 2 void years.
• Release DE John Cominsky, freeing up $4.5M of cap.
• Process a full base salary conversion on LB Alex Anzalone, freeing up $3.8M of cap when factoring in 3 void years.
• Process a full base salary conversion on CB Cameron Sutton, freeing up $7.4M of cap when factoring in 3 void years.
• Release S Tracy Walker, freeing up $5.5M of cap

RELATED LINKS

• Lions’ 2024 Salary Cap
• Lions’ 2024 Free Agents

Green Bay Packers

The Jordan Love era is officially here, and the rest of the league is miserable about it. It sure looks like Green Bay is smoothly transitioning into yet another well above average QB1 without skipping a beat. Love’s success will come with a price this offseason, as it seems highly unlikely that he’ll operate under an $11M salary for 2024. Future questions surrounding RB Aaron Jones,  & David Bakhtiari could offer a bit of a shakeup to this roster, & with around $8M of Top 51 cap space to their name right now, it’s fair to assume the Packers will be plenty active in the coming week.

NOTABLE PENDING UFAS

QUARTERBACK
None.

RUNNING BACK
A.J. Dillon
Bubble: Aaron Jones

WIDE RECEIVERS
None.

TIGHT ENDS
Josiah Deguara

OFFENSIVE LINE
Jon Runyan, Yosh Nijman
Bubble: David Bakhtiari

DEFENSIVE LINE
None.

EDGE DEFENDERS
None.

LINEBACKERS
Eric Wilson

SECONDARY
CB Keisean Nixon, S Darnell Savage, S Jonathan Owens
Bubble: Nick Scott (S)

SPECIAL TEAMS
None.

CAP CLEARING POSSIBILITIES

• Extend QB Jordan Love, potentially lowering his current $12.7M cap hit for 2024. Love projects toward a 4 year, $180M extension in our system.
• Process a full base salary conversion on RB Aaron Jones, freeing up $7.9M of cap when factoring in 4 void years.
• Release OT David Bakhtiari, freeing up $20.2M of cap.
• Process a $5.1M roster bonus conversion on OL Elgton Jenkins, freeing up $4M of cap when factoring in 2 void years.
• Extend DT Kenny Clark, lowering his current $27.4M cap hit for 2024. Clark projects toward a 3 year, $51M extension in our system.
• Process a $5.4M roster bonus conversion on LB Preston Smith, freeing up $4.3M of cap when factoring in 2 void years.
• Process a $6.2M roster bonus conversion on EDGE Rashan Gary, freeing up $4.9M of cap when factoring in 1 void year.
• Process a full base salary + $2.9M roster bonus conversion on LB De'Vondre Campbell, freeing up $6.9M of cap when factoring in 2 void years.
• Process a full base salary + $8M roster bonus conversion on CB Jaire Alexander, freeing up $10.8M of cap when factoring in 2 void years.

RELATED LINKS

• Packers’ 2024 Salary Cap
• Packers’ 2024 Free Agents

Minnesota Vikings

All signs point to the Vikings running back pending free agent QB Kirk Cousins, and likely plenty more pieces to their puzzle for the 2024 campaign and beyond. A big extension for star WR Justin Jefferson must hit the books this winter, as should a sizable deal for LT Christian Darrisaw. Minnesota, who carries around $39M of Top 51 cap space, will need to pay big this offseason to stay relevant in the NFC North.

NOTABLE PENDING UFAS

QUARTERBACK
Kirk Cousins, Joshua Dobbs
Bubble: Nick Mullens

RUNNING BACK
None.

WIDE RECEIVERS
K.J. Osborn, Brandon Powell

TIGHT ENDS
Johnny Mundt

OFFENSIVE LINE
G Dalton Risner, T Oli Udoh, T David Quessenberry, G Austin Schlottmann
Bubble: Jedrick Wills

DEFENSIVE LINE
Jonathan Bullard
Bubble: Harrison Phillips

EDGE DEFENDERS
Danielle Hunter, D.J. Wonnum, Marcus Davenport
Bubble: Dean Lowry

LINEBACKERS
Jordan Hicks, Anthony Barr

SECONDARY
Bubble: S Harrison Smith, CB Byron Murphy

SPECIAL TEAMS
K Greg Joseph

CAP CLEARING POSSIBILITIES

• Extend QB Kirk Cousins, lowering his current $28.5M voided dead cap hit for 2024. Cousins projects toward  3 year, $120M extension in our system.
• Release QB Nick Mullens, freeing up $1.8M of cap.
• Process a full base salary conversion on RB Alexander Mattison, freeing up $1.74M of cap when factoring in 4 void years.
• Extend WR Justin Jefferson, lowering his current $19.7M cap hit for 2024. Jefferson projects toward a 4 year, $118M extension in our system.
• Process a full base salary conversion on TE T.J. Hockenson, freeing up $7M of cap when factoring in 1 void year.
• Process a full base salary conversion on TE Josh Oliver, freeing up $2.8M of cap when factoring in 4 void years.
• Process a full base salary conversion on OL Brian O'Neill, freeing up $10.6M of cap whe factoring in 2 void years.
• Release DT Harrison Phillips, freeing up $6.5M of cap
• Release DE Dean Lowry, freeing up $4.4M of cap.
• Extend OLB Danielle Hunter, lowering his current $14.9M voided dead cap hit. Hunter projects toward a 3 year, $60M extension in our system.
• Release S Harrison Smith, freeing up $11.3M of cap.
• Process a full base salary conversion on CB Byron Murphy, freeing up $5.7M of cap when factoring in 4 void years.

RELATED LINKS

• Vikings’ 2024 Salary Cap
• Vikings’ 2024 Free Agents

Spotrac’s 2024 NFL Offseason Series continues with a look at each of the four AFC North teams, breaking down their estimated Top 51 cap space, pending unrestricted free agents, a few notable bubble players, and potential ways to free up more cap space this winter. 

AFC: NORTH | EAST | SOUTH | WEST
NFC: NORTH | EAST | SOUTH | WEST

Baltimore Ravens

A long offseason of “will they won’t they” with Lamar culminated in a #1 seed for the Ravens, & an MVP for their QB1. But Baltimore won’t be able to rest on their laurels too long, as they boast 10 players who took at least 50% of the 2023 snaps scheduled for unrestricted free agency this March. The Ranves boast around $5M of Top 51 Cap space heading toward the offseason.

NOTABLE PENDING UFAS

QUARTERBACK
Tyler Huntley

RUNNING BACK
Gus Edwards, JK Dobbins

WIDE RECEIVERS
Odell Beckham, Jr., Nelson Agholor, Devin Duvernay, Laquon Treadwell

TIGHT ENDS
None.

OFFENSIVE LINE
G John Simpson, G Kevin Zeitler

DEFENSIVE LINE
Justin Madubuike, Brent Urban

EDGE DEFENDERS
Jadeveon Clowney
Bubble: Tyus Bowser

LINEBACKERS
Patrick Queen

SECONDARY
Geno Stone (S), Ronald Darby (CB), Arthur Maulet (CB), Rock Ya-Sin (CB), Daryl Worley (CB)

SPECIAL TEAMS
None.

CAP CLEARING POSSIBILITIES

• Process a full base salary conversion on QB Lamar Jackson, freeing up $10.5M of cap
• Extend WR Odell Beckham, Jr., lowering his current $11M voided dead cap hit. OBJ projects toward a 1 year, $12M extension in our system.
• Process a full base salary + $4M roster bonus conversion on TE Mark Andrews, freeing up $7.9M of cap when factoring in 3 void years.
• Process a full base salary + $4M roster bonus conversion on OL Ronnie Stanley, freeing up $11M of cap when factoring in 3 void years.
• Extend RT Morgan Moses, lowering his current $6.96M cap hit in 2024. Moses projects toward a 1 year, $4.5M extension in our system.
• Release OL Patrick Mekari, freeing up $4.3M of cap.
• Release OLB Tyus Bowser, freeing up $5.5M of cap
• Process a full base salary conversion on CB Marlon Humphrey, freeing up $8.4M of cap when factoring in 2 void years.
• Process a full base salary conversion on S Marcus Williams, freeing up $8.6M of cap when factoring in 2 void years.

RELATED LINKS

• Ravens’ 2024 Salary Cap
• Ravens’ 2024 Free Agents

Cincinnati Bengals

Not the year the Bengals were hoping for - largely due to injuries surrounding Joe Burrow of course. The attention this offseason will almost certainly turn to the Wide Receiver room, where two notable pass catchers (Boyd, Higgins) are pending free agents, while Ja'Marr Chase is now extension eligible for the first time, and has been vocal about his desire to secure a new contract this winter. Cincy hits the offseason with around $70M of Top 51 cap space, & the #18 overall pick this April.

NOTABLE PENDING UFAS

QUARTERBACK
A.J. McCarron

RUNNING BACK
Trayveon Williams
Bubble: Chris Evans

WIDE RECEIVERS
Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd

TIGHT ENDS
Irv Smith, Drew Sample

OFFENSIVE LINE
Jonah Williams (T), Cody Ford (G), Max Scharping (G)

DEFENSIVE LINE
D.J. Reader, Josh Tupou

EDGE DEFENDERS
None.

LINEBACKERS
Joe Bachie, Markus Bailey, Akeem Davis-Gaither

SECONDARY
Chidobe Awuzie (CB)
Bubble: Nick Scott (S)

SPECIAL TEAMS
None.

CAP CLEARING POSSIBILITIES

• Extend RB Joe Mixon, lowering his current $8.85M cap hit for 2024. Mixon projects toward a 1 year, $6M extension in our system.
• Waive RB Chris Evans, freeing up $1M of cap
• Process a full base salary + $3M roster bonus conversion on OT Orlando Brown Jr., freeing up $5.1M of cap when factoring in 2 void years.
• Process a full base salary conversion G Alex Cappa, freeing up $3.9M of cap when factoring in 3 void years.
• Extend C Ted Karras, lowering his current $7.3M cap hit for 2024. Karras projects toward a 2 year, $6M extension in our system.
• Process a full base salary conversion for DE Trey Hendrickson, freeing up $10.8M of cap when factoring in 3 void years.
• Extend DT B.J. Hill, lowering his current $10.8M cap hit for 2024. Hill projects toward a 2 year, $28M contract in our system.
• Process a full base salary conversion on DE Sam Hubbard, freeing up $5.3M of cap when factoring in 3 void years.
• Process a full base salary + $1M roster bonus conversion on LB Germaine Pratt, freeing up $2.4M of cap when factoring in 3 void years.
• Extend CB Mike Hilton, lowering his current $7.45M cap hit for 2024. Hilton projects toward a 3 year, $22M extension in our system.
• Release S Nick Scott, freeing up $2.3M of cap

RELATED LINKS

• Bengals’ 2024 Salary Cap
• Bengals’ 2024 Free Agents

Cleveland Browns

Despite significant injuries all season long across their roster, the Browns held on for dear life in 2023, setting themselves up for an important offseason this winter. Cleveland has a Left Tackle & multiple Linebacker holes to be filled in the coming months, but for the most part - this roster remains intact for 2024. The Browns enter January more than $13M of cap in the red, and their first round pick will convey to Houston as part of the Deshaun Watson acquisition.

NOTABLE PENDING UFAS

QUARTERBACK
Joe Flacco

RUNNING BACK
Kareem Hunt

WIDE RECEIVERS
Marquise Goodwin

TIGHT ENDS
Harrison Bryant
Bubble: Jordan Akins

OFFENSIVE LINE
Geron Christian (T), Michael Dunn (T), Nick Harris
Bubble: T Jedrick Wills

DEFENSIVE LINE
Shelby Harris, Maurice Hurst, Jordan Elliott

EDGE DEFENDERS
Za'Darius Smith
Bubble: Foley Fatukasi

LINEBACKERS
Sione Takitaki, Anthony Walker Jr.

SECONDARY
Rodney McLeod (S), Duron Harmon (S), Michael Ford (CB)

SPECIAL TEAMS
Corey Bojorquez (P)

CAP CLEARING POSSIBILITIES

• Process a full base salary conversion on QB Deshaun Watson, freeing up $35.8M of cap when factoring in 2 void years.
• Restructure the $12.2M cash owed to RB Nick Chubb into a 2 year, $12M contract, significantly lowering his current $15.8M cap hit when factoring in 3 void years.
• Extend WR Amari Cooper, significantly lowering his current $23.7M cap hit. Cooper projects toward a 3 year, $70M extension in our system.
• Release TE Jordan Akins, freeing up $2M of cap
• If unable to locate a trade partner, process a full base salary restructure for OT Jedrick Wills, freeing up $10.4M of cap when factoring in 4 void years.
• Process a full base salary conversion on CB Denzel Ward, freeing up $11.35M of cap when factoring in 1 void year.
• Extend K Dustin Hopkins, lowering his current $3M cap hit for 2024.

RELATED LINKS

• Browns’ 2024 Salary Cap
• Browns’ 2024 Free Agents

Pittsburgh Steelers

Serious question marks with HC Mike Tomlin’s future & the QB position as a whole leave Pittsburgh in a bit of disarray heading into the offseason, despite another improbable run into the postseason. Toss in an up and down season at the WR position, the potential for Cam Heyward to step away, and it could be a very interesting winter for the Steelers, who hit the offseason around $7M over cap.

NOTABLE PENDING UFAS

QUARTERBACK
Mason Rudolph
Bubble: Mitchell Trubisky

RUNNING BACK
None.

WIDE RECEIVERS
Miles Boykin
Bubble: Allen Robinson, Diontae Johnson

TIGHT ENDS
None.

OFFENSIVE LINE
Bubble: Chukwuma Okorafor, Nate Herbig, Mason Cole

DEFENSIVE LINE
Armon Watts, Montravius Adams
Bubble: Cameron Heyward

EDGE DEFENDERS
Markus Golden

LINEBACKERS
Mykal Walker, Blake Martinez, Kwon Alexander

SECONDARY
Levi Wallace (CB), Chandon Sullivan (CB)
Bubble: Patrick Peterson (CB), Damontae Kazee (S)

SPECIAL TEAMS
None.

CAP CLEARING POSSIBILITIES

• Release QB Mitchell Trubisky, freeing up $2.9M of cap
• Trade WR Diontae Johnson, freeing up $10M of cap
• Release WR Allen Robinson, freeing up $10M of cap
• Release OT Chukwuma Okorafor, freeing up $8.75M of cap
• Release C Mason Cole, freeing up $4.75M of cap
• Restructure/Extend DE Cameron Heyward’s $16M salary into a 2 year, $16M contract, significantly lowering his current $22.4M cap hit for 2024.
• Process a full base salary + $4.75M roster bonus conversion on DE Larry Ogunjobi, freeing up $6.8M of cap when factoring in 3 void years.
• Process a full base salary conversion on LB T.J. Watt, freeing up $15.8M of cap when factoring in 3 void years.
• Process a full base salary conversion on LB Alex Highsmith, freeing up $7.6M of cap when factoring in 1 void year.
• Release CB Patrick Peterson, freeing up $6.8M of cap
• Release S Damontae Kazee, freeing up $3M of cap

RELATED LINKS

• Steelers’ 2024 Salary Cap
• Steelers’ 2024 Free Agents

Spotrac’s 2024 NFL Offseason Series continues with a look at each of the four AFC South teams, breaking down their estimated Top 51 cap space, pending unrestricted free agents, a few notable bubble players, and potential ways to free up more cap space this winter. 

AFC: NORTH | EAST | SOUTH | WEST
NFC: NORTH | EAST | SOUTH | WEST

Houston Texans

Well that went well. Houston gets the opportunity to build off of a division winning season with 4 more years of rookie contract control with QB C.J. Stroud. The Texans have been operating with 1-year contracts across the roster for the better part of 3 years now, leaving them with dozens of decisions every winter. That trend remains in 2024, where 24 notable Texans are currently headed toward unrestricted free agency. Houston hits the winter with around $75M of Top 51 cap space to operate with.

NOTABLE PENDING UFAS

QUARTERBACK
Bubble: Davis Mills

RUNNING BACK
Devin Singletary, Dare Ogunbowale
Bubble: Andrew Beck (FB)

WIDE RECEIVERS
Noah Brown

TIGHT ENDS
Dalton Schultz

OFFENSIVE LINE
Michael Deiter, George Fant, Josh Jones, Charlie Heck

DEFENSIVE LINE
Sheldon Rankins, Teair Tart, Hassan Ridgeway

EDGE DEFENDERS
Derek Barnett, Jonathan Greenard, Jerry Hughes

LINEBACKERS
Neville Hewitt, Denzel Perryman

SECONDARY
Tavierre Thomas (CB), Steven Nelson (CB), Adrian Amos (S), Kareem Jackson (S), Eric Murray (S)

SPECIAL TEAMS
Ka'imi Fairbairn (K), Cameron Johnston (P), Jon Weeks (LS)

CAP CLEARING POSSIBILITIES

• Process a full base salary conversion on WR Robert Woods, freeing up $4M of cap when factoring in 4 void years.
• Extend TE Dalton Schultz, stopping his $3.375M of voided dead cap from accelerating into 2024, lowering his overall cap hit. Schultz projects toward a 3 year, $34M contract in our system.
• Process a full base salary conversion on OT Laremy Tunsil, freeing up $13.4M of cap when factoring in 2 void years.
• Process a full base salary conversion on OL Tytus Howard, freeing up $10.3M of cap when factoring in 2 void years.
• Process a full base salary conversion on OL Shaq Mason, freeing up $6.4M of cap when factoring in 2 void years.
• Process a full base salary conversion on DT Maliek Collins, freeing up $5.4M of cap when factoring in 3 void years.
• Extend DT Sheldon Rankins, stopping his $5.25M of voided dead cap from accelerating into 2024, lowering his overall cap hit for 2024. Rankins projects toward a 3 year, $30M contract in our system.

RELATED LINKS

• Texans’ 2024 Salary Cap
• Texans’ 2024 Free Agents

Indianapolis Colts

A disappointing finish shouldn’t cloud the fact that Indy answered a lot of questions about their immediate future throughout the 2023 campaign. This is a roster primed to build around Anthony Richardson, Jonathan Taylor, & Michael Pittman Jr. (likely) offensively, with a first-class rebuild on the fly forthcoming on the defensive side of the ball. The Colts hit the offseason with around $72M of Top 51 cap space, & the #15 overall pick this April.

NOTABLE PENDING UFAS

QUARTERBACK
Gardner Minshew
Bubble: Sam Ehlinger

RUNNING BACK
Zack Moss

WIDE RECEIVERS
Michael Pittman Jr., Isaiah McKenzie
Bubble: Ashton Dulin

TIGHT ENDS
Bubble: Mo Alie-Cox

OFFENSIVE LINE
None.

DEFENSIVE LINE
Grover Stewart, Taven Bryan

EDGE DEFENDERS
Tyquan Lewis, Jake Martin

LINEBACKERS
None.

SECONDARY
Kenny Moore (CB), Julian Blackmon (S)
Bubble: Chris Lammons (CB)

SPECIAL TEAMS
Rigoberto Sanchez (P)

CAP CLEARING POSSIBILITIES

• Process a full base salary conversion on RB Jonathan Taylor, freeing up $5.3M of cap when factoring in 2 void years.
• Release WR Ashton Dulin, freeing up $3M of cap
• Release TE Mo Alie-Cox, freeing up $5.9M of cap
• Process a full base salary conversion on OL Quenton Nelson, freeing up $14.3M of cap when factoring in 2 void years.
• Extend RT Braden Smith, lowering his current $16.6M cap hit for 2024. Smith has a case to reset the right tackle market with an extension in the 3 year, $63M neighborhood.
• Extend C Ryan Kelly, lowering his current $14.6M cap hit for 2024. Kelly projects toward a 2 year, $24M extension in our system.
• Extend DL DeForest Buckner, lowering his current $22.75M cap hit for 2024. Buckner projects toward a 2 year, $35M extension in our system.

RELATED LINKS

• Colts’ 2024 Salary Cap
• Colts’ 2024 Free Agents

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jags had sights set on winning the AFC before the wheels fell off down the stretch. Now they’re left with a long offseason, and more than few expensive decisions on the table. Is QB Trevor Lawrence a top of the market extension candidate yet? Will WR Calvin Ridley be let to walk away this March? How many offensive line pieces should get turned over in the coming months? Jacksonville boasts around $29M of Top 51 cap space & the #17 overall pick this April.

NOTABLE PENDING UFAS

QUARTERBACK
None.

RUNNING BACK D’Ernest Johnson

WIDE RECEIVERS
Calvin Ridley, Jamal Agnew
Bubble: Zay Jones

TIGHT ENDS
None.

OFFENSIVE LINE
Ezra Cleveland, Tyler Shatley

DEFENSIVE LINE
Dawuane Smoot, Angelo Blackson

EDGE DEFENDERS
Josh Allen, K’Lavon Chaisson
Bubble: Foley Fatukasi

LINEBACKERS
None.

SECONDARY
Tre Herndon (CB)
Bubble: Rayshawn Jenkins (S)

SPECIAL TEAMS
Brandon McManus (K)

CAP CLEARING POSSIBILITIES

• Process a full base salary + $1M roster bonus conversion on WR Christian Kirk, freeing up $11.5M of cap when factoring in 3 void years.
• Release WR Zay Jones, freeing up $4.4M of cap
• Process a full base salary conversion on G Brandon Scherff, freeing up $11M of cap when factoring in 4 void years.
• Extend OT Cam Robinson, lowering his current $21.1M cap hit for 2024. Robinson projects toward a 3 year, $46M extension in our system.
• Extend LB Foyesade Oluokun lowering his current $21.75M cap hit for 2024. Oluokun projects toward a 3 year, $35M extension in our system.
• Extend CB Darious Williams, lowering his $10.5M cap hit for 2024. Williams projects toward a 2 year, $24M extension in our system.
• Release S Rayshawn Jenkins, freeing up $5.1M of cap

RELATED LINKS

• Jaguars’ 2024 Salary Cap
• Jaguars’ 2024 Free Agents

Tennessee Titans

HC Mike Vrabels’ surprise firing adds an additional layer of drama to Tennessee’s offseason, & could signal a larger rebuilding effort than many had originally planned for the organization. QB Ryan Tannehill & RB Derrick Henry have already essentially said their goodbyes, leaving behind $14M of dead cap in their place. Tennessee stumbles into the offseason with around $77M of Top 51 cap space, & the #7 overall pick this April.

NOTABLE PENDING UFAS

QUARTERBACK
Ryan Tannehill
Bubble: Malik Willis

RUNNING BACK
Derrick Henry

WIDE RECEIVERS
Nick Westbrook, Chris Moore
Bubble: DeAndre Hopkins

TIGHT ENDS
None.

OFFENSIVE LINE
Aaron Brewer, Chris Hubbard

DEFENSIVE LINE
Marlon Davidson, Ross Blacklock

EDGE DEFENDERS
Denico Autry, Trevis Gipson

LINEBACKERS
Azeez Al-Shaair

SECONDARY
Kristian Fulton (CB), Sean Bunting (CB), K'Von Wallace (S), Terrell Edmunds (S)

SPECIAL TEAMS
Nick Folk (K), Morgan Cox (LS)

CAP CLEARING POSSIBILITIES

• Trade WR DeAndre Hopkins, freeing up $10.1M of cap
• Process a full base salary conversion on G Andre Dillard, forfeiting $6.3M of cap when factoring in 3 void years.
• Process a full base salary conversion on DT Jeffery Simmons, freeing up $12.3M of cap when factoring in 1 void year.
• Process a full base salary conversion on LB Harold Landry, freeing up $12.9M of cap when factoring in 2 void years.

RELATED LINKS

• Titans’ 2024 Salary Cap
• Titans’ 2024 Free Agents