2021 NFL Franchise & Transition Tags

Michael GinnittiMarch 10, 2021

With the 2021 league salary cap now set at $182.5M, these are the confirmed franchise & transition tag values per the NFL (a day late and a dollar short). Check out a complete historical look at franchise tags here

Confirmed Franchise Tags Offered in 2021

QB Dak Prescott, DAL, $37,690,800 (2nd tag, placeholder)
DE Leonard Williams, NYG, $19,351,200 (2nd tag)
OL Brandon Scherff, WAS, $18,036,000 (2nd tag)
WR Allen Robinson, CHI, $17,880,000 (120% of 2020 salary)
WR Chris Godwin, TB, $15,983,000
OL Cam Robinson, JAC, $13,754,000
OL Taylor Moton, CAR, $13,754,000
S Justin Simmons, DEN, $13,729,200 (2nd tag)
S Marcus Williams, NO, $10,612,000
S Marcus Maye, NYJ, $10,612,000

 

Non-Exclusive Franchise Tag Values

Position Value
Quarterback $25,104,000
Running Back $8,655,000
Wide Receiver $15,983,000
Tight End $9,601,000
Offensive Lineman $13,754,000
Defensive Tackle $13,888,000
Defensive End $16,069,000
Linebacker $14,791,000
Cornerback $15,060,000
Safety $10,612,000
Kicker/Punter $4,482,000

 

Transition Tag Values

Position Value
Quarterback $23,016,000
Running Back $7,217,000
Wide Receiver $14,340,000
Tight End $8,182,000
Offensive Lineman $12,657,000
Defensive Tackle $11,752,000
Defensive End $13,926,000
Linebacker $12,716,000
Cornerback $13,294,000
Safety $9,052,000
Kicker/Punter $4,068,000

 

 

Breaking Down Dak Prescott's Contract

Michael GinnittiMarch 09, 2021

Don't feel like reading? Watch a visual breakdown of this contract here.

 

Ranking the Contract Details

  • The $160M total value ranks 2nd to Patrick Mahomes' $450M in NFL history. While it's unlikely Mahomes actually sees all $450M of his, it's somewhat possible Dak plays out his full 4 seasons.
  • At $40M per year, Dak also ranks 2nd all-time behind Mahomes, though the contract is structured as $126M over the first 3 years, a historic $42M per season.
  • That $126M is practically guaranteed right now, and it ranks 2nd only to Mahomes' $141. The difference? Dak gets all of his in 3 years, while it will take Mahomes 5 years to get his $141M.
  • Of the $126M, $95M is fully guaranteed right now, an NFL record (surpassing Matt Ryan's $94.5M). The remaining $31M is injury guaranteed now, and becomes fully guaranteed on the 5th league day of 2022.
  • The $66M signing bonus is the highest in NFL history, topping Russell Wilson's $65M. Wilson's bonus payout was split over two seasons, while Dak will get all of his in the 2021 calendar year.
  • Speaking of, the $75M cash to be earned is the most Year 1 payout on a contract ever, surpassing Aaron Rodgers' previous high of $66.9M. Dak's $95M to be earned through Year 2 is $7M more than any other contract, topping Russell Wilson's $88M, & the $126M over three years is the most ever by a whopping $19M (Wilson, $107M). If he were to play out the full deal, the $160M earned over 4 years would top Russell Wilson's 4-year payout by $29M.

 

Breaking Down the Guarantees

As previously stated, Dak Prescott's new contract comes with $95M fully guaranteed at signing, most in NFL history. This is comprised of the $66M signing bonus, a $9M salary in 2021, & a $20M salary in 2022. The remaining $31M 2023 salary is (importantly) guaranteed for injury right now, and converts to fully guaranteed on the 5th league day of 2022, a year before it will be paid out. This all but ensures a $126M payout over the next three years, or $42M per year through the guaranteed portion of this contract. If Dak is still on this contract in March of 2024, a $5M roster bonus is due in the 5th league day.

 

The Cap Structure & Void Years

The Cowboys wanted a longer team contract in order to spread out the cap as much as possible, while also ensuring Dak would be under their control for as long as possible. Dallas compromised the latter, adding two void years to the back end of this 4 year contract to maximize the bonus proration. Signing bonuses are allowed to be prorated over a maximum 5 years, so the $66M bonus will account for $13.2M of salary cap each of 2021-2025. So why the additional void year in 2026? It appears the contract contains language that will automatically restructure Dak's fully guaranteed $20M salary for 2022 into a signing bonus. So here's how that might work:

Current Cap Hits
2021: $22.2M
2022: $33.3M
2023: $44.2M
2024: $47.2M
2025:$13.2M (dead cap)

Projected Cap Hits After the 2022 Restructure
2022: $18M
2023: $47.98M
2024: $50.98M
2025: $16.98M (dead cap)
2026: $3.78M

If Dak plays out the contract through 2024, then decides to test free agency in lei of signing an extension with Dallas, the Cowboys will take on an estimated $20.76M dead cap hit to see him walk away in the 2025 season.

 

Concluding Thoughts

You'll be hard pressed to find an NFL player who's ever had as much leverage as Dak Prescott did over the past few months. There are plenty of people out there (myself included) who feel this contract can be classifed as a better contract than what Patrick Mahomes signed with the Chiefs last year. While nobody will be crying for Mahomes as he surpasses the $200M earned mark somewhere down the road, Dak has ensured himself a life changing payday, while also retaining control of his destiny somewhere between the age of 31 and 32 years old, or the age that Matthew Stafford just left Detroit. This won't be the last we'll hear from Dak Prescott and contract negotiations, and with a reported $14 billion in new TV money right around the corner, the next version of this could be simply eye-popping.

 

 

dak prescott dallas cowboys contract breakdown

Ben Roethlisberger & Void Years

Michael GinnittiMarch 05, 2021

Ben Roethlisberger entered 2021 with the highest cap number in all of football, a whopping $41.25M in the final year of his contract with the Steelers. After the decision was made for Ben to return, the focus became lowering that cap hit. Here’s how Pittsburgh did just that.

 

Pre-Existing Dead Cap

Whenever a player is extended out of an existing contract, any bonus proration that hasn’t yet hit the salary cap must transfer to the new deal. In Ben’s case, this meant the $12.5M of signing bonus proration, & the $9.75M of restructure bonus proration - a total of $22.25M. This bonus proration is 100% inflexible, meaning the full $22.25M must live in the 2021 league year of the new contract. If the current contract has multiple years remaining each with bonus proration the new contract must mimic the old in terms of this pre-existing dead cap. 

Note: Any dead cap associated with a guaranteed salary or roster bonus must also transfer to the new contract, but it can be structured as needed. Often times these guarantees are converted into a new signing bonus.

 

The New Contract Structure

With the pre-existing dead cap already in place, the only way for the Steelers to clear cap space is to utilize a new signing bonus, with multiple years to spread the cap out across. Since 39 year old Ben isn’t inline for a true 5 year contract, the use of void years is the best way forward for Pittsburgh, despite the fact that they’ve refused to use them in the past.

 

Cash Compensation

The minimum salary for a player of 7 years or more experience in 2021 is $1.075M. This is the base compensation Ben will earn throughout the course of the season. In addition, Pittsburgh gave him a $12.925M signing bonus, for a total of $14M - $5M less than he was previously scheduled to earn.

 

Cap Structure

The new contract is a 1 year deal, with 4 additional void/dummy years tacked on to allow the signing bonus to prorate over the maximum 5 years. This frees up as much cap space as possible in the 2021 league year. The Steelers end up saving $15.34M of cap for the 2021 season by extending Ben Roethlisberger.

 

What Happens After 2021?

The contract will automatically void prior to the start of the 2022 league year, with a $10.34M dead cap hit leftover for Pittsburgh to take on at that point. The $10.34M is the sum of the 4 remaining signing bonus prorations all accelerating into 2022, as if it were a Pre June 1st release. However, if Ben & the Steelers decide it’s not yet the end of the road after this season, an extension can be negotiated prior to the void that will stop the bonus proration from accelerating. This new extension would then transfer over the 2022-2025 void structure, meaning only $2.585M of pre-existing cap in 2022, a much easier place to start for the Steelers.

 

steelers ben roethlisberger void/dummy years dead cap

Why Guaranteed Isn't Always Guaranteed

Michael GinnittiMarch 03, 2021

There's likely nothing more frustrating to the average NFL fan than trying to understand just how "guaranteed" a player's contract actually is. Unfortunately, the way this is communicated regularly adds to the confusion. Here's a quick breakdown to hopefully help uncover some of the concerns.

Guaranteed at Signing

There's no better place to start with a contract breakdown than this value, as it tells the story of the cash a player will 99.9% earn on the deal. Why not 100%? If a player is suspended for conduct, or has a non-football related injury that keeps him from honoring the contract, teams can void guarantees, or recoup already paid signing bonus. For most multi-year contracts in the NFL, guaranteed at signing will include an initial signing bonus, and any salary or roster bonus due in that first season. For some, the 2nd year salary will also be included in this metric. 

Future, but Practical Guarantees

"Ok, so if i just look at the Guaranteed at Signing value, I'll know everything I need to know". Not necessarily. The reason we show two values for guaranteed money within a contract is that often times, future guarantees kick in a year (or even two) early. This is the "Guaranteed Mechanism" buzz phrase you certainly heard plenty about after Patrick Mahomes' contract was signed. 

For instance, let's say a player has $15M fully guaranteed at signing, a bonus, a first year salary, and a second year salary. However, the player's 3rd year salary becomes fully guarantees in March of the 2nd year. This is what we classify as a "practical" guarantee, as it's not at all likely that the player will be released out of his contract before that 3rd year salary guarantee kicks in. This is very often also the case for a roster bonus in year 2 or 3 that isn't fully guaranteed at signing, but because it becomes guaranteed or payable in early March, has a practically of earning to it. 

Full vs. Injury Guarantees

Lastly, the different between a full guarantee, and a guarantee for injury is very important. Any salary or bonus that is deemed "fully guaranteed" will be paid out to the player regardless of status (with the exception of the suspension or non-football injury as described above). An injury guarantee is simply an insurance policy in the event that a player suffers a football related injury that doesn't allow him to pass a physical once the salary becomes applicable. 

Odell Beckham Jr.s 2021 salary is the latest example of an injury guarantee vesting. When OBJ tore his ACL in 2020, nearly $13M of his 2021 salary became essentially vested, as it holds the injury guarantee insurance on it. 

Very often, any "practical" guarantees that are not "fully guaranteed at signing" are deemed "injury guarantees" at the beginning of a contract. Those injury guarantees convert to full guarantees on specific days built into the language of the deal (often one of the first 5 days of a respective league year).

 

guaranteed at signing injury guarantees practical guarantees

March 2nd NFL Releases

Michael GinnittiMarch 02, 2021

The following releases have been reported:

 

Henry Anderson, DE (NYJ)

The Jets clear $8M of 2021 cap space by moving on from Anderson, who earned $17.5M of his 3 year, $25.2M contract signed back in 2019. 

 

Kyle Rudolph, TE (MIN)

After 10 strong seasons & $50M earned in Minnesota, Rudolph will hit the open market, leaving behind $4.35M of dead cap, but freeing up $5.1M of space.

 

Kyle Van Noy, ILB (MIA)

Van Noy's release has yet to be made official as the Dolphins attempt to trade him at the last minute, but it seems inevitable that the former Pat will be one and done in Miami. He'll earn just $15M of the $51M free agent contract signed last March, leaving behind $4.125M of dead cap, while freeing up $9.775M of space.

 

Buster Skrine, CB (CHI)

The Bears have reported that this move is "pending" which could mean they'll designate him a Post June 1st release on March 17th. If so, they'll carry his $6M cap hit until June 2nd, after which they'll take on dead cap hits of $1.1M in 2021, & $2.2M in 2022, freeing up $4.9M of space for the upcoming season.

cap casualties post june 1st

Potential Shortstop Extensions

Michael GinnittiMarch 02, 2021

While MLB Free Agency isn't what it once was, sizable contract extensions for young players is now the latest trend. This offseason, there may not be a more loaded position group than the shortstops, many of whom are currently in discussion for a new deal with their respective team. A quick look at the current list of extension candidates, and their projected valuation based on previous two year production (Spoiler: They're all very close).


Carlos Correa (26, Astros)
Currently Projects to 6 years, $106M

Bo Bichette (23, Blue Jays)
Currently Projects to 6 years, $36M

Dansby Swanson (27, Braves)
Currently Projects to 6 years, $116M

Javier Baez (28, Cubs)
Currently Projects to 6 years, $113M

Corey Seager (26, Dodgers)
Currently Projects to 6 years, $126M

Francisco Lindor (27, Mets)
Currently Projects to 8 years, $226M

Trea Turner (27, Nationals)
Currently Projects to 5 years, $103M

Trevor Story (28, Rockies)
Currently Projects to 6 years, $128M

Adalberto Mondesi (25, Royals)
Currently Projects to 6 years, $105M

Gleyber Torres (24, Yankees)
Currently Projects to 6 years, $83M

shortstops mlb houston astros atlanta braves

Projecting & Predicting the Top NFL Free Agents

Michael GinnittiFebruary 17, 2021

We're just a month away from the official start of the 2021 league year and free agency season, so we'll take a moment to highlight some of the more notable names who could be hitting the open market, including projected contracts, thoughts, & a "Best Guess" for each.

Related Links

Team Player AGE POS PREV. AAV PROJ. CONTRACT Thoughts
ARI Patrick Peterson 30 CB $14M 2 yrs, $25M He'll be 31 this season, but has been both reliable and consistent in 10 seasons. He should carry a $12M per year floor, even if contenders like the Chiefs get involved for his services.

BEST GUESS: Denver
ARI Kenyan Drake 27 RB $8.4M 2 yrs, $10M Drake had a chance to grab hold of the #1 role in ARZ on a transition tag in 2020, but failed to do so. He's a good addition to a multi-RB situation, but not at top dollar.

BEST GUESS: NY Jets
ARI Haason Reddick 26 OLB $3.3M 3 yrs, $30M Reddick peaked at the right time per a move back to the edge, raising his value from nearly nothing - to what should be a nice payday. Shaq Lawson's deal in Miami is a strong comp here.

BEST GUESS: Cincinnati
ATL Alex Mack 35 OC $9M 1 yr, $5M Mack remains an above average run blocker though he's lost a step in his mid 30s. His experience will be attractive to teams like SF, BAL, ARZ who struggled in this regard.

BEST GUESS: San Francisco
ATL Keanu Neal 25 SS $2.6M 3 yr, $18M Teams in need of a true box safety who can stuff the run and cover the middle of the field should have their eyes on Neal's potential departure from the Falcons.

BEST GUESS: Chicago
BAL Yannick Ngakoue 25 OLB $12M 4 yrs, $64M Ngakoue is a bit of a forgotten player after bouncing around in 2020, but at just 25 he still has time to settle in to a full-time role as a dominant pass rusher, and thus should be paid accordingly.

BEST GUESS: Baltimore
BAL Matt Judon 29 OLB $16.8M 4 yrs, $65M Judon's 2020 season was cut short due to injury, dampening his value a bit as he hits the open market. Rush needy teams like Tennessee, Las Vegas, & Green Bay will have interest, but only at the right price.

BEST GUESS: Tennessee
BUF Matt Milano 26 LB $655k 4 yrs, $55M Milano's value doesn't jump off the page, but in today's game - where running backs and tight ends out of the backfield are as dangeous as ever, his ability to cover horitzontally is monumental.

BEST GUESS: Detroit
BUF Daryl Williams 28 OT $2.25M 3 yrs, $24M Williams more than outplayed his previous contract with the Bills, and there's a world where he becomes the best available RT on the open market this March. The Bengals, Chargers & Dolphins are prime "overpay" candidates.

BEST GUESS: Buffalo
CAR Taylor Moton 26 OT $1M 5 year, $75M There's almost certainly a franchise tag in Moton's future, with a long term deal shortly thereafter. He's been consistent, reliable, and Carolina should have no issues making him a fixture on the right side of their line, regardless of the QB.

BEST GUESS: Carolina
CAR Curtis Samuel 24 WR $1.6M 4 years, $48M Samuel's value has never seen the full light of day, but at just 24 years old, there's still plenty of time for another franchise to unlock it. There should be plenty of teams eyeing his potential departure from Carolina, including the Giants, WFT, Raiders, & Bills.

BEST GUESS: Washington
CAR Russell Okung 32 OT $13.25M 3 yrs, $45M Okung has stabillized himself as an above average left tackle in this league, despite the fact that he can't seem to stay in one place for too long. He'll find sizeable offers from O-Line needy teams, and a return to Carolina isn't out of the question either.

BEST GUESS: Washington
CHI Allen Robinson 27 WR $14M 5 yrs, $100M Robinson's potential has been supressed by the QB & play calling in Chicago over the past few seasons. While a franchise tag is likely coming, a trade and subsequent extension could soon follow. Look for both the 49ers, Jets & Jaguars to be heavily interested here.

BEST GUESS: Jacksonville
CHI Mitchell Trubisky 26 QB $7.2M 2 yrs, $16M Trubisky's not the top of the first round QB he was selected to be, but he's not a bottom feeder in the league either. While many bigger names could change rosters, there will be teams looking to see what the 26-year-old can do in a different setup.

BEST GUESS: New England
CIN William Jackson 28 CB $2.4M 3 yrs, $36M Once a major defensive back prospect, Jackson's shine has rubbed off a bit in the past two seasons with the Bengals. He's still plenty productive and the age is on the good side of 30, so teams with cap space will have interest.

BEST GUESS: Buffalo
CIN Carl Lawson 25 DE $763k 4 yrs, $40M An inconsistent past three years will keep his value on the open market somewhat tempered, but he has value in the right situations.

BEST GUESS: Cincinnati
CLE Olivier Vernon 30 DE $11M 1 yr, $5M Vernon was having a strong 2020 before an Achilles injury took him out in Week 17. He'll have to work back from that this offeason, lowering his potential pay day in the meantime. An incentive based deal to bookend a contender's D-Line makes sense here.

BEST GUESS: Minnesota
CLE Rashard Higgins 26 WR $910k 3 years, $15M He's not the most skilled WR by default, but it seems like the full potential of Higgins has yet to be unlocked. He'll remain a WR3 at best in Cleveland, but could slide into a WR2 role in a different situation.

BEST GUESS: Carolina
DAL Dak Prescott 27 QB $31.4M 5 yrs, $200M Yes, Dak has a ton of leverage after the Cowboys 2020 season plummeted without him, but the injury on a franchise tag should also be changing his mindset a bit as well. A $37M 2nd tag is good coin, but succombing to the Cowboys' structural needs could put $110M-$120M of fully guaranteed cash in his pocket this March, & still allow him a chance at another contract by age 31.

BEST GUESS: Cowboys, tag then extension
DAL Andy Dalton 33 QB $3M 3 yrs, $12M Dalton battled COVID, and a banged up O-Line when he was thrown into the fire in 2020, but still proved he can manage an offense admirably. He'll need to accept backup money again whether he stays in Dallas or seeks a new home.

BEST GUESS: Dallas
DAL Chidobe Awuzie 25 CB $1M 3 yrs, $27M Awuzie won't break the bank, but Dallas won't have the capital to bring back eveyone this spring, and there are enough teams looking for help in their secondary to assume his finds a new home.

BEST GUESS: NY Jets
DEN Justin Simmons 27 FS $11.4M 1 yr, $13.7M Simmons and the Broncos appear poised to go down a second franchise tag battle this spring. He values to lock in a multi-year contract larger than any safety in history ($16M/yr), but the Broncos are in a bit of a rebuild mode defensively, so its unclear if a move like that makes sense.

BEST GUESS: Denver, tag and we'll see
DEN Shelby Harris 29 DT $3.25M 3 yrs, $30M One of the better values in all of football last year, Harris' ability to stuff the run is a skillset many teams will be in need of this March.

BEST GUESS: Arizona
DET Kenny Golladay 27 WR $799k 5 yrs, $92.5M Golladay has true WR1 potential, but has only caught 70 balls once in 4 seasons with the Lions. He's coming off of an injury in 2020, and is a likely franchise tag candidate, but there's a payday coming regardless.

BEST GUESS: Detroit
DET Marvin Jones 30 WR $8M 2 yrs, $18M One of the better complementary receivers in the game over the past few seasons, Jones will likely find a new home in 2021. A slight increase from his previous contract should get it done.

BEST GUESS: New England
DET Romeo Okwara 25 DE $3.4M 3 year, $30M Okwara is hitting the market on the heels of 4 1/2 below average years, & a finish to 2020 that has people strongly considering his services. At just 25 years old, there's room to believe he can settle into his newfound success.

BEST GUESS: Las Vegas
GB Corey Linsley 29 OC $8.5M 2 year, $20M After a postseason that saw bad center play take teams out, Linsley's dependability can't be overstated. He'll need a raise to come back, but Green Bay should be looking to keep their MVP QB as happy as possible with moves like this.

BEST GUESS: Green Bay
GB Aaron Jones RB 26 $650k 4 yrs, $50M Nobody should pay the running back unless they should. Jones has done enough both as a 3 down runner and an option in the passing game to warrant a multi-year deal. His production comps well to that of Dalvin Cook, who signed a similar extension just months ago.

BEST GUESS: Miami
HOU Will Fuller WR 26 $2.5M 5 yrs, $85M Yes he's had injuries, yes he's been suspended for PED use, but when it's going good, it's really good, especially with Deshaun Watson throwing him the rock.

BEST GUESS: Houston
HOU J.J. Watt DE 31 $16.6M 3 yrs, $45M Watt's value at this point of his career is probably down into the $12M per year mark, but with a dozen or so teams already inquiring for his services, an overpay could be the way in.

BEST GUESS: Cleveland
IND T.Y. Hilton WR 31 $13M 2 yrs, $22M The days of Hilton outpacing top corners in the league are behind him, but he's still an excellent route runner who will find the endzone enough to warrant a payday. Teams like GB & Chicago will be in the mix, but TY's numbers under a covered roof far outweigh his outdoor production.

BEST GUESS: Arizona
IND Xavier Rhodes CB 30 $3M 3 yrs, $21M He was one of the best values in the secondary for 2020, and a significant pay raise is coming. He'll need depth and security around him to stay healthy and productive at this stage of his career.

BEST GUESS: Indianapolis
JAC Keelan Cole WR 27 $3.2M 2 yrs, $12M The former UDFA outperformed his rookie pay in Jacksonville, who are likely poised to try to keep the wideout with the new regime coming to town. Cole will draw interest as a potential buy low WR2 on the market.

BEST GUESS: Chicago
KC Austin Reiter OC 29 $2.25M 3 yrs, $24M An extremely reliable, consistent option especially in the passing game, and a good fit for a Mahomes-run offense. His value on the open market vs. what he might have to accept to stay in KC could be two very different numbers.

BEST GUESS: Kansas City
KC Sammy Watkins WR 27 $9M 2 yrs, $20M The injury-prone wideout has been demoted to a role player in order to keep him as healthy and productive as possible. He's just 27, and still has big game play in him, but he'll need a new home if he's looking for increased money and targets.

BEST GUESS: Cincinnati
KC Bashaud Breeland CB 29 $3M 1 yr, $5M Breeland's production and reliability have been up and down, keeping both his future in KC and potential payday both at bay. Teams looking for experienced depth could be in play this spring.

BEST GUESS: Dallas
LV Nelson Agholor WR 27 $1M 2 yrs, $16M Agholor took a "prove-it" deal with Las Vegas and really found his legs by the end of 2020. No reason to believe this marriage shouldn't continue.

BEST GUESS: Las Vegas
LV Takkarist McKinley DE 25 $2.5M 2 yrs, $18M McKinley likely won't ever live up to the first round selection pedigree, but he's settled in as an average, fringe rusher from here out. The going rate for that sits at around $9M currently.

BEST GUESS: Las Vegas
LAC Hunter Henry TE 26 $10.6M 4 yrs, $40M Henry isn't the bigtime prospect he once was, but teams will value him highly because of age + potential. A second tag would mean $12.7M for LA, a very possible outcome here. He'll have a dozen inquiries if he's allowed to test the market.

BEST GUESS: LA Chargers
LAC Tyrod Taylor QB 31 $5.5M 2 yrs, $10M A freak injury handed his job to Justin Herbert earlier than expected, but Taylor has done enough in this league to prove he's a capable "bridge", "short-term option", or experienced backup for any team. He'll seek a better path to starts than the Chargers can offer.

BEST GUESS: Pittsburgh
LAC Melvin Ingram OLB 31 $16M 2 yrs, $24M While the price may be right for the Chargers to keep him, Ingram should draw interest from legitimate contenders in 2021, with teams like Buffalo, Indy, & the Packers all in the mix.

BEST GUESS: Indianapolis
LAR John Johnson SS 25 $814k 5 yrs, $70M One of the better unknowns in the league, Johnson's next payday is going to raise some eyebrows. The Rams haven't been known to let players like this walk in recent years, and it might take a franchise tag to hang onto him early in the offseason, but if not, look out for bad teams throwing big dollar.

BEST GUESS: Detroit
LAR Troy Hill CB 29 $1.6M 2 yrs, $12M There's been a real market for slot cornerbacks as offensive schemes have moved more to underneath passing of late. Hill's become one of the better options in this regard, on one of the best defenses in the game.

BEST GUESS: Rams
LAR Leonard Floyd OLB 28 $10M 4 yrs, $52M Floyd's career is on a Jadeveon Clowney path, where he's no longer trusted to be a double digit sack rusher, but an above average, versatile edge defender - a classification that will still pay just fine.

BEST GUESS: Houston
MIA Ryan Fitzpatrick QB 38 $5.5M 1 yr, $8M The Amish Rifle still wants (and deserves) to compete for a starting role despite the age and subsequent physical decline. He's been an immediate jolt of energy to every offense he's been thrown into - for a limited time. Teams looking for that instant, short-term boost should be strongly considering his services.

BEST GUESS: Chicago
MIN Anthony Harris FS 29 $11.4M 4 yrs, $56M Harris' play declined a bit on the one year tag in Minnesota, but that won't stop teams looking to upgrade their current secondary from making a splash for his services.

BEST GUESS: Carolina
NE Joe Thuney OG 28 $14.7M 4 yrs, $60M Brandon Scherff & Quentin Nelson are likely going to reset the guard market this offseason, and Thuney will very much benefit from that on the open market.

BEST GUESS: LA Chargers
NE Cam Newton QB 31 $1.75M 1 yr, $2.5M Cam didn't do enough in 2020 to get anybody excited about his next chapter, but it's hard to imagine his career is completely over at age 31, despite the toll his body has taken. It seems feasible another year in New England would give him the best opportunity to compete for snaps.

BEST GUESS: New England
NE David Andrews OC 28 $3M 3 yrs, $20M Andrews is on the right side of 30, and can be classifed as one of the most dependable centers in the league right now. His days in New England may be numbered as his price tag increases, but there will be suitors.

BEST GUESS: Baltimore
NO Marcus Williams FS 24 $1.5M 5 yrs, $68M There isn't a weak spot in Williams' game right now, and at just 24 years old, he's just entering his prime in the league. The Saints will have a helluva time make the numbers work to keep him, but they're certainly trying.

BEST GUESS: Jacksonville
NO Trey Hendrickson DE 26 $793k 4 yrs, $44M Hendrickson will become a "Plan B" for a lot of teams looking to improve their EDGE this offseason, and a darn good option at that.

BEST GUESS: Buffalo
NO Jameis Winston QB 27 $1.1M 2 yrs, $15M If you believe what you hear from the Saints, Winston should be given a new contract to become their next QB soon. But if March 17th comes without one, look for the Bears, Colts, & Patriots to at least me in consideration.

BEST GUESS: New Orleans
NYG Leonard Williams DE 26 $16.1M 4 yrs, $80M Nobody took a bigger step forward in 2020 than Williams, who went from a veritable bust, to what could be a top DE contract in the league. With a second tag valuing over $19M, no pricetag should surprise us at this point.

BEST GUESS: NY Giants
NYG Dalvin Tomlinson DT 26 $1.1M 4 yrs, $45M Tomlinson is one of the better young run stuffers in the game right now, but doesn't quite have the pass rush ability to cash in on the top tier of interior DT money (Kenny Clark, $17.5M). He should be a priority resign for the Giants.

BEST GUESS: NY Giants
NYJ Marcus Maye S 26 $1.6M 5 yrs, $68M One of the lone bright spots from the Jets defense in 2020, Maye peaked at the right now financially speaking. He'll garner a modified version of the deal Jamal Adams would have scored were he still in NY. He's a franchise tag candidate at minumum.

BEST GUESS: NY Jets
NYJ Breshad Perriman WR 27 $6.5M 3 yrs, $26M Statistically speaking, Perriman comps nicely to who John Brown was before joining Buffalo in an expanded role. Teams looking for complementary wideouts could see him as a nice low buy fit.

BEST GUESS: San Francisco
PIT Mike Hilton CB 26 $3.2M 3 yrs, $21M Slot corners are finding better paydays in the league right now, and at 26, Hilton fits the bill as someone who could see his compensation double in 2021.

BEST GUESS: Cincinnati
PIT JuJu Smith-Schuster WR 24 $1M 5 yrs, $80M Pittsburgh's offensive weapons as a whole left us all wondering what to make of them going forward, but there's no denying Smith-Schusters overall abilities. If he's not tagged, he'll find plenty of suitors on the open market.

BEST GUESS: Miami
PIT Alejandro Villanueva OT 32 $6M 2 yrs, $32M He's a little too old to be a "cornerstone" left tackle for a young up and coming team, but he might be the perfect immediate replacement for Anthony Castonzo and the Colts.

BEST GUESS: Indianapolis
PIT Bud Dupree OLB 26 $15.8M 1 yr, $12M A devastating injury leaves Dupree's future with all sorts of red flags. The easiest outcome here seems to be a 1 year, "prove-it" deal on a contender to revive his market value.

BEST GUESS: Kansas City
PIT James Conner RB 25 $790k 2 yrs, $10M He comps best to Kareem Hunt right now, and that type of shared solution seems to make best for Conner's next chapter. Sticking him with James Robinson seems a nice fit.

BEST GUESS: Jacksonville
SF Trent Williams OT 32 $13.6M 4 yrs, $72M Williams can't be tagged by the Niners per the terms of his trade agreement, and though the age is seemingly a small concern, he missed all of 2019, and is showing no signs of decline just yet. He'll carry an $18M floor into the negotiating room (zoom).

BEST GUESS: San Francisco
SF Richard Sherman CB 32 $9M 2 yrs, $20M Sherman's time in SF appears to be up, and while many franchises will look at the age and immediately pass, there will be at least a few who see the value in Sherman finishing his career in their organization. In particular...

BEST GUESS: Green Bay
SEA Shaquill Griffin CB 25 $814k 4 yrs, $44M The advanced analytics and 4-year resume don't scream major payday or must keep, but Seattle knows what works for their defense, and it's possible they value Griffin a lot more than any of us could.

BEST GUESS: Houston
SEA Christopher Carson RB 26 $616k 4 yrs, $30M Taking injuries out of the equation, Carson is pretty easily a $10M+ running back, but any red flag hurts the RB's ability to earn right now. Seattle claims they want to focus more on the run game from here out, so we'll take them at their word.

BEST GUESS: Seattle
SEA K.J. Wright OLB 31 $7M 2 yrs, $15M Seattle drafted Wright's replacement in Jordyn Brooks last year, but he doesn't appear ready to take the keys just yet. One more short contract (1 year guaranteed) makes sense for both sides.

BEST GUESS: Seattle
TB Shaquil Barrett OLB 28 $15.8M 4 yrs, $75M It only takes one team to decide that Barrett is a $20M+ edge rusher, but a reunion with the Bucs on a slightly smaller payday seems to be the right move for both sides.

BEST GUESS: Tampa Bay
TB Lavonte David LB 31 $10M 3 yrs, $39M David has done enough to warrant a raise that puts him inline with the highest paid minimal-rush OLBs in the league. Of all the notable free agents TB holds, paying David the right price makes the most sense.

BEST GUESS: Tampa Bay
TB Chris Godwin WR 24 $825k 5 yrs, $90M The age, production, intangibles, and skillset are all extremely favorable for Godwin, which almost always means that someone overpays to pull him out of his current situation.

BEST GUESS: Indianapolis
TB Antonio Brown WR 32 $1.6M 1 yr, $2.5M AB's major paydays are behind him, but it's clear that his relationship with Tom Brady benefits him both on and off the field right now. A return seems imminent along with a contract that starts low, but can build with incentives and team success.

BEST GUESS: Tampa Bay
TB Rob Gronkowski TE 31 $9M 1 yr, $8.5M He's only 31, but his body likely feels like its 38 right now. There's no question Gronk is only available for a reduced role where he can be used as needed, but it seems ill-advised to go against Tom Brady's wishes at this point.

BEST GUESS: Tampa Bay
TB Leonard Fournette RB 26 $2M 2 yrs, $16M A return to Tampa Bay would be a nice story, but the truth is the Bucs have a lot of mouths to feed, and Ronald Jones, who's made big strides, is still on a team-friendly contract. Fournette once had aspirations of eclipsing the top RB AAV pricetag, but that seems unlikely after his tumultuous 2020.

BEST GUESS: Pittsburgh
TB Ndamukong Suh DT 34 $8M 1 yr, $7M The 34-year-old had plenty to say against opposing run games in 2020, and while he's no longer the dominant force he once was, there's still gas in the tank for teams who require it.

BEST GUESS: Carolina
TEN Jonnu Smith TE 25 $776k 4 yrs, $32M Smith didn't help himself too much in 2020 in terms of finishing on a high note, but the 25 year old finds the endzone, and there's always money for a player like that. He'll hold an $8M floor this offseason.

BEST GUESS: NY Jets
TEN Desmond King CB 26 $670k 3 yrs, $18M King's had years that have popped off the page, but has seemingly been in decline the past two seasons, leaving his financial future a bit of a mystery. This lower pricetag could atttract decent teams looking to grab value from him.

BEST GUESS: San Francisco
TEN Corey Davis WR 26 $6.3M 4 yrs, $42M Davis peaked at the right time, and has built a nice report next to A.J. Brown and with QB Ryan Tannehill. He'll expect a big payday because of where he was drafted, but Davis hasn't even been a $12M per year WR over the past two seasons. There's a transition tag possibility here.

BEST GUESS: Tennessee
TEN Jadeveon Clowney DE 28 $13M 1 yr, $12M Still on the right side of 30, and now settling into his role as a versatile edge player, but not necessarily an expensive sack producer. An injury in 2020 drops his calculated value down into the $7M mark, but it's save to assume he can match his 2020 compensation with the right team, especially one looking to get better horizontally speaking.

BEST GUESS: Green Bay
TEN Jayon Brown LB 25 $667k 4 yrs, $44M He's most valuable in coverage than anywhere else right now, but there's still plenty of need for a player like Brown in any defense. Tennessee likely gives him the second contract to see what else they can get from him at just 25.

BEST GUESS: Tennessee
WAS Brandon Scherff OG 29 $15M 4 yrs, $55M Back to back to back years with injuries have really quieted the market for Scherff, who remains one of the best guards in football when he's on the field. He's approacing 30, so a record setting contract likely isn't coming - but he'll get close.

BEST GUESS: Washington
WAS Ronald Darby CB 27 $3M 4 yrs, $36M Darby did enough on his latest 1 year prove-it deal to warrant a multi-year contract this spring. There's no reason Washington shouldn't look to extend him, but if he hits the market there should be multiple suitors this time around.

BEST GUESS: Arizona

Understanding NFL Dead Cap

Michael GinnittiFebruary 15, 2021

The unfortunately named, often confused, NFL buzz phrase finds itself at the forefront of many conversations this time of year, as roster decisions begin to take shape for the upcoming season. So what is dead cap? Any future, unpaid, guaranteed salary or bonus + any already paid signing bonus that hasn't yet been allocated to the salary cap becomes the responsibility of the team in the event of a release. With a trade, the future guarantees would simply transfer to the new team, leaving behind just the unallocated signing bonus cap as the current team's dead cap. Still lost? Hopefully the following helps a little...

Example Contract: Player A

  • 5 years, $75 million
  • $20 million signing bonus
  • $5M 1st year guaranteed salary
  • $10M 2nd year guaranteed salary
  • $12M 3rd year guaranteed salary

 

Future Guaranteed Salary or Roster Bonuses

Any guaranteed base salary that has yet to be paid out is considered dead cap on the contract. Should the player be released, all guaranteed salary will accelerate and be treated as dead cap in the current season. If traded, any unpaid guaranteed salary will transfer to the new team.

 

Signing or Option Bonuses

When signing or option bonuses are paid, the cap hits for them prorate over the remainder of the contract (max 5 years). For instance, a $20M signing bonus paid on a 5 year contract would account for $4M of bonus cap in each of the contract’s years. If this said player is released prior to year 3 of the contract, that leaves $12M of cap from that bonus still unallocated, which in turn becomes dead cap. This works the same for an option bonus (generally paid out in year 2 of a contract).

 

The June 1st Dead Cap Rule

Pre June 1st
If a trade, release, or retirement is processed before June 1st in a given league year, ALL of the relevant dead cap associated with the contract is accelerated into the current year. If Player A was released on March 20th prior to his 3rd season, $12M of signing bonus cap + his $12M guaranteed salary would accelerate into $24M of dead cap per his release.

Post June 1st
If a trade, release, or retirement is processed after June 1st in a given league year, the dead cap allocation splits between the current & following year as such:

Current Year Dead Cap
Any bonus proration in the current year of the contract + any unpaid guaranteed salary or roster bonus.

Next Year Dead Cap
All of the remaining unallocated bonus dead cap for all future years of the contract.

For Example: If Player A was released on June 20th prior to his 3rd season, the dead cap would split as:
Current Year: $4M of current year signing bonus proration + his $12M guaranteed salary: $16M
Next Year: $8M of remaining signing bonus proration

 

The Post June 1st Designation

Per the terms of the current CBA, each team is now able to designate two players as “Post June 1st releases”. If Player A’s team knows they want to release him, but also want to benefit from the dead cap split after June 1st, they can designate him as such as soon as the league year begins in March. He is now free to negotiate elsewhere as an unrestricted free agent, however, the original team must carry his ENTIRE cap figure for the current season until June 2nd, after which the Post June 1st dead cap rules will apply. Any bonuses are triggers that were set to happen prior to June 1st are no longer valid, as for all intents, the player has already been released. This designation is only available for releases - not trades.

Still lost? Additional or more specific questions? Hit me up @spotrac and I'll be happy to help

NFL Franchise Tag Candidates

Michael GinnittiFebruary 09, 2021

As the NFL officially flips into offseason mode, the first order of business for many teams will be eyeing up extensions for their own. Along that line of thinking, the window to designate players with franchise or transition tag should be opening up in the next few weeks (projected February 23 - March 9). We'll take a quick look at a few players who could be inline for a tag this winter, including the projected cost to do so, and our thoughts with it going forward.

 

Haason Reddick, OLB, ARZ

Projected Tag: $14.6M

The Cardinals declined a $10M option for 2021 last spring, motivating Reddick to post a career year thereafter. He now joins Judon, Dupree, & Barrett as one of the better young pass rushers to potentially hit the open market. Arizona has room to keep him around, and a tag might be the best way to do so.

 

Yannick Ngakoue, DE, BAL

Second Tag: $15.4M

The Ravens acquired Ngakoue from Minnestoa at the deadline for two mid-round picks, and he posted almost identical numbers to his 2019 campaign in Jacksonville (8 sacks, 4 forced fumbles). His tag comes in about $5M less than Matt Judon’s, putting him as the favorite to be kept around at least for the short-term.

 

Matt Judon, OLB, BAL

Second Tag: $20.1M

Judon played only 60% of the Ravens’ defensive snaps in 2020, but still posted 6 sacks and 50 tackles. With a tag and extension valuation up around the $20M marks, it seems likely he walks into the open market this spring where it’s been a bit of a rough go for players like this of late.

 

Daryl Williams, RT, BUF

Projected Tag: $13.6M

It’s likely the Bills address the right side of their O-Line early on in the draft, but keeping Williams in the fold also makes a lot of sense. Buffalo can probably lock in a multi-year deal at well under $10M per year, so a near $14M tag is a stretch, but there’s a world where Williams is considered the best available right tackle on the open market, driving his price tag up.

 

Taylor Moton, RT, CAR

Projected Tag: $13.6M

Jack Conklin’s $14M per year free agent contract with the Browns last offseason becomes the new floor for Taylor Moton in 2021, so a near $14M franchise tag is probably a good place to start if the Panthers are interested in keeping him around. With so many holes to fill defensively, this seems highly likely.

 

Allen Robinson, WR, CHI

Projected Tag: $17.88M

Robinson’s tag value actually exceeds the standard WR figure because he earned $15M in 2020 with the Bears. There will be a bevy of teams hoping to bring him in this offseason, so if Chicago wants to retain him, they’ll need to swing big with an offer (4 years, $84M ish), or at the very least, slap a tag on him as a placeholder. This is a potential tag & trade candidate.

 

Dak Prescott, QB, DAL

Second Tag: $37.7M

There’s been no discussion of long-term negotiations kicking back up between Dak & Dallas, so the assumption is that a second tag designation is forthcoming. Keeping him at a $37M+ cap figure in a down cap year will be difficult, and it’s a long shot that Dak would even sign this tag in the first place, as he now holds nearly 100% leverage in this negotiation. He’ll be inline to follow whatever deal Baker Mayfield locks in with Cleveland this offseason.

 

Justin Simmons, FS, DEN

Second Tag: $13.7M

Simmons has the resume to become the next highest average paid safety in football (until Jamal Adams signs in SEA), but before that gets done, it’s highly likely that a second franchise tag is headed his way. At $13.7M, this is still a bargain for Simmons, who will be eyeing $15M+ per year on a multi-year contract.

 

Kenny Golladay, WR, DET

Projected Tag: $15.8M

Golladay had put together nice production across 2018-2019, with 11 TDs scored in the latter, but an injury held him down to just 5 games played in 2020. Still, Detroit will be anxious to keep a few weapons around for new QB Jared Goff, so slapping a 1-year, show me tag on the 27 year old could be in play.

 

Aaron Jones, RB, GB

Projected Tag: $8.5M

There may be no better value in the game than an elite running back, in his prime, on a franchise tag right now. Jones should be able to find Alvin Kamara type guarantees (4 for $40M) on a multi-year contract, but it seems much more likely the Packers slap this tag on him for a final go.

 

Corey Linsley, OC, GB

Projected Tag: $13.6M

It’s always unlikely that a center will be awarded a franchise tag, because their contractual values sit much lower than all other offensive line positions. But Linsley at least has a case to be made at least as a placeholder to a longer deal. The highest paid center in the game (Ryan Kelly, IND) carries a $12.5M per year average, which becomes the target for Linsley this offseason.

 

Will Fuller, WR, HOU

Projected Tag: $15.8M

Fuller has multiple injuries and now a PED suspension on his resume (set to miss Week 1 in 2021), but he also has legitimate WR1 ability when it’s all going right, and a clear compatibility with QB Deshaun Watson. The franchise tag was made for these kind of scenarios.

 

T.Y. Hilton, WR, IND

Projected Tag: $17.4M

Hilton’s franchise tag will exceed the league value because he earned $14.5M in 2020. The 31-year old has had disability issues, but can still find the end zone with the best of them. Still, this tag price seems high for Indy to take on, though a multi-year extension down in the $12M per year range could be in play.

 

Hunter Henry, TE, LAC

Second Tag: $12.7M

The emergence of Justin Herbert will force the Chargers to overpay a little to ensure he has as many weapons as possible around him for the now. With Keenan Allen already locked up, the focus now turns to Henry, who caught a career high 60 balls in 14 games. Durability is still an issue, so a second tag might be the best play for LA here.

 

Leonard Floyd, OLB, LAR

Projected Tag: $14.6M

The Rams probably don’t have the cap situation to tolerate a franchise tag for the whole season, but Floyd values around $13M per year on a multi-year extension, so a $14.6M placeholder for a few weeks to hammer out a contract might make sense. He’s an underrated piece of a great Rams defense.

 

John Johnson, SS, LAR

Projected Tag: $10.5M

Johnson is one of the more underrated defensive backs in all of football, and will be compensated as such should he be allowed to hit the open market. The Rams seem poised to be “all-in” for 2021, so keeping Johnson around in some fashion aligns with that thinking.

 

Joe Thuney, OG, NE

Second Tag: $17.7M

It’s tough to gauge who the Patriots believe they are heading into the 2021 offseason, but with a QB change almost certainly coming, solidifying on offensive line should be priority number one. Thuney has been reliable & consistently above average for 5 seasons now, and while the near $18M charge is much too high, it’s tough to imagine him not becoming the highest average paid guard on the open market, currently valuing at $15.3M per year.

 

Leonard Williams, DE, NYG

Second Tag: $19.35M

One of the better stories in the game, as Williams was a complete castaway just 24 months ago, but has restored his career since joining the Giants. They have mouths to feed on both sides of the ball, and they’d probably like to see Williams repeat the year he just had before dropping too many guaranteed dollars in his lap, so a second franchise tag - though pricey - is likely the best play here.

 

Marcus Maye, FS, NYJ

Projected Tag: $10.5M

Maye was one of the lone bright spots to come away from the Jets 2020 season, and it seems impossible that they’ll allow him to simply walk away for nothing. A tag in February to bide time for a multi-year extension, which we value at around 4 years, $40M.

 

Bud Dupree, OLB, PIT

Second Tag: $18.9M

Dupree’s future is very much in question after an unfortunate ACL tear in early December. A second tag seems well out of reach here, putting him on the market for a “comeback” contract, probably with another franchise.

 

Chris Carson, RB, SEA

Projected Tag: $8.5M

It wouldn’t be a typical Seahawks move to use a tag on the offensive side of the ball (or even more so on a running back), but Carson seems a really good fit for this scenario. With the price tag coming down to a very tenable $8.5M, and Carson’s injury history too much of a red flag to guarantee him too much down the road, this at least stands a fair chance.

 

Chris Godwin, WR, TB

Projected Tag: $15.8M

It’ll be a difficult task to keep the Super Bowl core intact for 2021, but all signs point to Godwin being back in the fold in some capacity. With franchise tags dropping, keeping Godwin at under $16M for a year seems a good play, though locking him in long-term allows for more cap flexibility.

 

Shaquil Barrett, OLB, TB

Second Tag: $18.9M

Barrett once again shows the league why he deserves a big time multi-year contract with an outstanding performance in Super Bowl LV. While the Bucs have a lot of mouths to feed this offseason, it’s tough to imagine they let Barrett walk for nothing. A second tag is possible, but it makes more financial sense to use the designation on WR Chris Godwin. Barrett will find better structured offers on the open market because of Tampa Bay’s lack of signing bonus demands, but winning is attractive.

 

Jonnu Smith, TE, TEN

Projected Tag: $9.5M

Smith didn’t have the dominating final contract year some were expecting, but he’s still arguably the best potential TE to hit the open market. His two year production comes in at about 80% of Austin Hooper’s before his locked in $10.5M per year with the Browns, so a deal in the $9M per year range probably makes sense for Smith going forward.

 

Brandon Scherff, OG, WAS

Second Tag: $18M

At times, Scherff has shown he has the ceiling to be the best interior lineman in the league. But he found himself on the IR for the 3rd straight season in 2020, stamping a big red flag on his ability to cash in long-term this offseason. With QB questions in Washington, and Trent Williams now elsewhere, it still makes good football sense to keep the best line available in town, whether that comes by an $18M tag, or a $15M+ per year extension for Scherff.

The Comprehensive QB Carousel Guide

Michael GinnittiFebruary 04, 2021

The 2021 offseason could be one for the ages in terms of QB movement. We'll take a quick dive into the contract situations for each notable quarterback rumored to be on the move, including the specific financial ramifications to release, or trade players before and after specific bonus dates, or pre and post June 1st. Each breakdown also includes the total contract, practical guarantees, and individual cap hits that would transfer to a new team via trade. Find us @spotrac with questions or comments.

Related Links

 

Matt Ryan, ATL, 35

  • Traded before June 1
    $44.4M of dead cap to the Falcons ($3.5M lost).
    New team acquires a 3 year $74.75M contract, with cap hits of $23M ($5.5M GTD)/$23.75M/$28M .
  • Released before June 1
    $49.9M of dead cap to the Falcons ($9M lost).
  • Traded after June 1
    $17.9M of 2021 dead cap ($23M saved), $26.525M of 2022 dead cap ($15.13M saved) to the Falcons.
    New team acquires a 3 year $74.75M contract, with cap hits of $23M ($5.5M GTD)/$23.75M/$28M .
  • Released after June 1
    $23.4M of 2021 dead cap ($17.5M saved), $26.525M of 2022 dead cap ($15.13M saved) to the Falcons.

 

Teddy Bridgewater, CAR, 28

  • Traded before June 1
    $10M of dead cap to the Panthers ($12.95M saved).
    New team acquires a 2 year $39M contract, with cap hits of $17.9M ($10M GTD)/$21M.
  • Released before June 1
    $20M of dead cap to the Panthers ($2.9M saved).
  • Traded after June 1
    $5M of 2021 dead cap ($17.9M saved), $5M of 2022 dead cap ($21M saved) to the Panthers.
    New team acquires a 2 year $39M contract, with cap hits of $17.9M ($10M GTD)/$21M.
  • Released after June 1
    $15M of 2021 dead cap ($7.9 saved), $5M of 2022 dead cap ($21M saved) to the Panthers.

 

Nick Foles, CHI, 33

  • Traded before June 1
    $5.3M of dead cap to the Bears ($1.3M saved).
    New team acquires a 2 year $12M contract, with cap hits of $4M (GTD)/$8M ($1M GTD).
  • Released before June 1
    $10.3M of dead cap to the Bears ($3.6M lost).
  • Traded after June 1
    $2.6M of 2021 dead cap ($4M saved), $2.6 of 2022 dead cap ($8M saved) to the Bears.
    New team acquires a 2 year $12M contract, with cap hits of $4M (GTD)/$8M ($1M GTD).
  • Released after June 1
    $7.6M of 2021 dead cap ($1M saved), $2.6M of 2022 dead cap ($8M saved) to the Bears.

 

Drew Lock, DEN, 24

  • Traded before June 1
    $1.55M of dead cap to the Broncos ($352k saved).
    New team acquires a 2 year $2.58M contract, with cap hits of $1.1M /$1.45M (None GTD).
  • Released before June 1
    $1.55M of dead cap to the Broncos ($352k saved).
  • Traded after June 1
    $779k of 2021 dead cap ($1.1M saved), $779k of 2022 dead cap ($1.45M saved) to the Broncos.
    New team acquires a 2 year $2.58M contract, with cap hits of $1.1M /$1.45M (None GTD).
  • Released after June 1
    $779k of 2021 dead cap ($1.1M saved), $779k of 2022 dead cap ($1.45M saved) to the Broncos.

 

Matthew Stafford, DET, 33

  • Traded before March 21
    $19M of dead cap to the Lions ($14M saved).
    New team acquires a 2 year, $43M contract, with cap hits of $20M($10M GTD)/$23M .
  • Released before March 21
    $19M of dead cap to the Lions ($14M saved).
  • Traded between March 22 - June 1
    $29M of dead cap to the Lions ($4M saved).
    New team acquires a 2 year, $33M contract, with cap hits of $10M/$23M.
  • Released between March 22 - June 1
    $29M of dead cap to the Lions ($4M saved).
  • Traded after June 1
    $23M of 2021 dead cap ($10M saved), $6M of 2022 dead cap ($20M saved) to the Lions.
    New team acquires a 2 year, $33M contract, with cap hits of $10M/$23M.
  • Released after June 1
    $23M of 2021 dead cap ($10M saved), $6M of 2022 dead cap ($20M saved) to the Lions.

 

Aaron Rodgers, GB, 37

  • Traded before March 19
    $31.5M of dead cap to the Packers ($6M saved).
    New team acquires a 3 year, $74.2M contract, with cap hits of $23.2M ($6.8M GTD)/$25.5M/$25.5M.
  • Released/Retired before March 19
    $31.5M of dead cap to the Packers ($6M saved).
  • Traded between March 20 - June 1
    $38.3M of dead cap to the Packers ($784k lost).
    New team acquires a 3 year, $67.4M contract, with cap hits of $16.4M/$25.5M/$25.5M (None GTD).
  • Released/Retired between March 20 - June 1
    $38.3M of dead cap to the Packers ($784k lost).
  • Traded after June 1
    $21.1M of 2021 dead cap ($16.4M saved), $17.2M of 2022 dead cap ($22.6M saved) to the Packers.
    New team acquires a 3 year, $67.4M contract, with cap hits of $16.4M/$25.5M/$25.5M (None GTD).
  • Released/Retired after June 1
    $21.1M of 2021 dead cap ($16.4M saved), $17.2M of 2022 dead cap ($22.6M saved) to the Packers.

 

Jordan Love, GB, 22

  • Traded before June 1
    $4.9M of dead cap to the Packers ($2.1M lost).
    New team acquires a 3 year $5.2M contract, with cap hits of $1.1M (GTD)/$1.73M (GTD)/ $2.29M (GTD).
  • Released before June 1
    $9.3M of dead cap to the Packers ($6.5M lost).
  • Traded after June 1
    $1.64M of 2021 dead cap ($1.1M saved), $3.2M of 2022 dead cap ($94k saved) to the Packers.
    New team acquires a 3 year $5.2M contract, with cap hits of $1.1M (GTD)/$1.73M (GTD)/ $2.29M (GTD).
  • Released after June 1
    $6M of 2021 dead cap ($3.2M lost), $3.2M of 2022 dead cap ($94k saved) to the Packers.

 

Deshaun Watson, HOU, 25

  • Traded before June 1
    $21.6M of dead cap to the Texans ($5.66M lost).
    New team acquires a 5 year, $146.54M contract, with cap hits of $10.54M (GTD)/$35M (GTD)/$37M (GTD)/$32M/$32M.
  • Released before June 1
    $67.14M of dead cap to the Texans ($51.2M lost).
  • Traded after June 1
    $5.4M of 2021 dead cap ($10.54M saved), $16.2M of 2022 dead cap ($24.2M saved) to the Texans.
    New team acquires a 5 year, $146.54M contract, with cap hits of $10.54M (GTD)/$35M (GTD)/$37M (GTD)/$32M/$32M.
  • Released after June 1
    $50.94M of 2021 dead cap ($35M lost), $16.2M of 2022 dead cap ($24.2M saved) to the Texans.

 

Gardner Minshew, JAC, 24

  • Traded before June 1
    $95,442 of dead cap to the Jaguars ($802k saved).
    New team acquires a 2 year $1.715M contract, with cap hits of $850k/$965k (None GTD).
  • Released before June 1
    $95,442 of dead cap to the Jaguars ($802k saved).
  • Traded after June 1
    $47,721 of 2021 dead cap ($850k saved), $47,721 of 2022 dead cap ($965k saved) to the Jaguars.
    New team acquires a 2 year $1.715M contract, with cap hits of $850k/$965k (None GTD).
  • Released after June 1
    $47,721 of 2021 dead cap ($850k saved), $47,721 of 2022 dead cap ($965k saved) to the Jaguars.

 

Derek Carr, LV, 29

  • Traded before June 1
    $2.5M of dead cap to the Raiders ($19.625M saved).
    New team acquires a 2 year $39.5M contract, with cap hits of $19.625M/$19.87M (None GTD).
  • Released before June 1
    $2.5M of dead cap to the Raiders ($19.625M saved).
  • Traded after June 1
    $2.5M of dead cap to the Raiders ($19.625M saved).
    New team acquires a 2 year $39.5M contract, with cap hits of $19.625M/$19.87M (None GTD).
  • Released after June 1
    $2.5M of dead cap to the Raiders ($19.625M saved).

 

Marcus Mariota, LV, 27

  • Traded before June 1
    $0M of dead cap to the Raiders ($10.725M saved).
    New team acquires a 1 year $10.725M contract, with a cap hit of $10.725M (None GTD).
  • Released before June 1
    $0M of dead cap to the Raiders ($10.725M saved).
  • Traded after June 1
    $0M of dead cap to the Raiders ($10.725M saved).
    New team acquires a 1 year $10.725M contract, with a cap hit of $10.725M (None GTD).
  • Released after June 1
    $0M of dead cap to the Raiders ($10.725M saved).

 

Jared Goff, LAR, 26

  • Traded before March 19
    $22.2M of dead cap to the Rams ($12.425M saved).
    New team acquires a 4 year, $104.3M contract, with cap hits of $27.825M (GTD)/$25.5M ($15.5M GTD)/$25M/$26M.
  • Released before March 19
    $65.5M of dead cap to the Rams ($30.9M lost).
  • Traded between March 20 - June 1
    $24.7M of dead cap to the Rams ($9.925M lost).
    New team acquires a 4 year, $101.8M contract, with cap hits of $25.325M (GTD)/$22M ($15M GTD)/$27M/$26M.
  • Released between March 20 - June 1
    $65.5M of dead cap to the Rams ($30.9M lost).
  • Traded after June 1
    $9.3M of 2021 dead cap ($25.325M saved), $15.4M of 2022 dead cap ($16.9M saved) to the Rams.
    New team acquires a 4 year, $101.8M contract, with cap hits of $25.325M (GTD)/$22M ($15M GTD)/$27M/$26M.
  • Released after June 1
    $50.125M of 2021 dead cap ($15.5M lost), $15.4M of 2022 dead cap ($16.9M saved) to the Rams.

 

Tua Tagovailoa, MIA, 22

  • Traded before June 1
    $14.6M of dead cap to the Dolphins ($7.8M lost).
    New team acquires a 3 year $10M contract, with cap hits of $1.98M (GTD)/$3.3M (GTD)/$4.7M (GTD).
  • Released before June 1
    $24.7M of dead cap to the Dolphins ($17.9M lost).
  • Traded after June 1
    $4.8M of 2021 dead cap ($1.9M saved), $9.7M of 2022 dead cap ($1.5M lost) to the Dolphins.
    New team acquires a 3 year $10M contract, with cap hits of $1.98M (GTD)/$3.3M (GTD)/$4.7M (GTD).
    It should be noted that if Tua is traded after training camp starts, the Dolphins would take on $6M of 2021 dead cap, sending a $780k salary to the new team for 2021.
  • Released after June 1
    $14.98M of 2021 dead cap ($8.1M lost), $9.7M of 2022 dead cap ($1.5M lost) to the Dolphins.

 

Kirk Cousins, MIN, 32

  • Traded before March 19
    $20M of dead cap to the Vikings ($11M saved).
    New team acquires a 2 year, $56M contract, with cap hits of $21M (GTD)/$35M (GTD 3/19).
  • Released before March 19
    $41M of dead cap to the Vikings ($10M lost).
  • Traded between March 20 - June 1
    $20M of dead cap to the Vikings ($11M saved).
    New team acquires a 2 year, $56M contract, with cap hits of $21M (GTD)/$35M (GTD).
  • Released between March 20 - June 1
    $76M of dead cap to the Vikings ($45M lost).
  • Traded after June 1
    $10M of 2021 dead cap ($21M saved), $10 of 2022 dead cap ($35M saved) to the Vikings.
    New team acquires a 2 year, $56M contract, with cap hits of $21M (GTD)/$35M (GTD).
  • Released after June 1
    $66M of 2021 dead cap ($35M lost), $10 of 2022 dead cap ($35M saved) to the Vikings.

 

Drew Brees, NO, 42

  • Traded before June 1
    $22.65M of dead cap to the Saints ($13.5M saved).
    New team acquires a 1 year $25M contract, with a cap hit of $25M (Non GTD).
  • Released/Retired before June 1
    $22.65M of dead cap to the Saints ($13.5M saved).
  • Traded after June 1
    $11.15M of 2021 dead cap ($25M saved), $11.5M of 2022 dead cap ($11.5 lost) to the Saints.
    New team acquires a 1 year $25M contract, with a cap hit of $25M (Non GTD).
  • Released/Retired after June 1
    $11.15M of 2021 dead cap ($25M saved), $11.5M of 2022 dead cap ($11.5 lost) to the Saints.

 

Taysom Hill, NO, 30

  • Traded before March 21
    $4M of dead cap to the Saints ($12.1M saved).
    New team acquires a 1year, $12.1M contract, with a cap hit of $12.1M ($5.72M GTD).
  • Released before March 21
    $11.159M of dead cap to the Saints ($5M saved).
  • Traded between March 22 - June 1
    $5.439M of dead cap to the Saints ($10.72M saved).
    New team acquires a 1 year, $10.72M contract, with a cap hit of $10.72M ($5.72M GTD).
  • Released between March 22 - June 1
    $11.159M of dead cap to the Saints ($5M saved).
  • Traded after June 1
    $5.439M of dead cap to the Saints ($10.72M saved).
    New team acquires a 1 year, $10.72M contract, with a cap hit of $10.72M ($5.72M GTD).
  • Released after June 1
    $11.159M of dead cap to the Saints ($5M saved).

 

Sam Darnold, NYJ, 23

  • Traded before June 1
    $5M of dead cap to the Jets ($4.7M saved).
    New team acquires a 1 year $4.7M contract, with a cap hit of $4.7M (GTD), plus a 5th-year option to be exercised by May 3rd.
  • Released before June 1
    $9.6M of dead cap to the Jets ($0 saved).
  • Traded after June 1
    $5M of dead cap to the Jets ($4.7M saved).
    New team acquires a 1year $4.7M contract, with a cap hit of $4.7M (GTD), plus a 5th-year option to be exercised by May 3rd.
    It should be noted that if Darnold is traded after training camp starts, the Jets would take on $8.8M of dead cap, sending just $920k to the new team.
  • Released after June 1
    $9.6M of dead cap to the Jets ($0 saved).

 

Carson Wentz, PHI, 28

  • Traded before March 19
    $33.8M of dead cap to the Eagles ($853k saved).
    New team acquires a 4 year, $100.4M contract, with cap hits of $25.4M (GTD)/$22M ($15M GTD)/$27M/$26M.
  • Released before March 19
    $59.2M of dead cap to the Eagles ($24.5M lost).
  • Traded between March 20 - June 1
    $43.8M of dead cap to the Eagles ($9.14M lost).
    New team acquires a 4 year, $90.4M contract, with cap hits of $15.4M (GTD)/$22M ($15M GTD)/$27M/$26M.
  • Released between March 20 - June 1
    $74.2M of dead cap to the Eagles ($39.5M lost).
  • Traded after June 1
    $19.2M of 2021 dead cap ($15.4M saved), $24.5M of 2022 dead cap ($6.72M saved) to the Eagles.
    New team acquires a 4 year, $90.4M contract, with cap hits of $15.4M (GTD)/$22M ($15M GTD)/$27M/$26M.
  • Released after June 1
    $49.6M of 2021 dead cap ($15M lost), $24.5M of 2022 dead cap ($67.2M saved) to the Eagles.

 

Jalen Hurts, PHI, 22

  • Traded before June 1
    $1.45M of dead cap to the Eagles ($87k lost).
    New team acquires a 3 year $3.46M contract, with cap hits of $883k (GTD)/$1.15M/$1.43M
  • Released before June 1
    $2.3M of dead cap to the Eagles ($970k lost).
  • Traded after June 1
    $485k of 2021 dead cap ($883k saved), $970k of 2022 dead cap ($672k saved) to the Eagles.
    New team acquires a 3 year $3.46M contract, with cap hits of $883k (GTD)/$1.15M/$1.43M
  • Released after June 1
    $1.36M of 2021 dead cap ($0 saved), $970k of 2022 dead cap ($672k saved) to the Eagles.

 

Ben Roethlisberger, PIT, 38

  • Traded before March 19
    $22.25M of dead cap to the Steelers ($19M saved).
    New team acquires a 1 year $19M contract with a cap hit of $19M ($15M GTD 3/19).
  • Released/Retired before March 19
    $22.25M of dead cap to the Steelers ($19M saved).
  • Traded between March 20 - June 1
    $37.25M of dead cap to the Steelers ($4M saved).
    New team acquires a 1 year $4M contract with a cap hit of $4M (None GTD).
  • Released/Retired between March 20 - June 1
    $37.25M of dead cap to the Steelers ($4M saved).
  • Traded after June 1
    $37.25M of dead cap to the Steelers ($4M saved).
    New team acquires a 1 year $4M contract with a cap hit of $4M (None GTD).
  • Released/Retired after June 1
    $37.25M of dead cap to the Steelers ($4M saved).

 

Jimmy Garoppolo, SF, 29

  • Traded before June 1
    $2.8M of dead cap to the 49ers ($23.6M saved).
    New team acquires a 2 year, $50.6M contract, with cap hits of $25M/$25.6M (None GTD).
  • Released before June 1
    $2.8M of dead cap to the 49ers ($23.6M saved).
  • Traded after June 1
    $1.4M of 2021 dead cap ($25M saved), $1.4M of 2022 dead cap ($24.2M saved) to the 49ers.
    New team acquires a 2 year, $50.6M contract, with cap hits of $25M/$25.6M (None GTD).
  • Released after June 1
    $1.4M of 2021 dead cap ($25M saved), $1.4M of 2022 dead cap ($24.2M saved) to the 49ers.

 

Alex Smith, WAS, 36

  • Traded before June 1
    $10.8M of dead cap to the WFT ($13.6M saved).
    New team acquires a 2 year, $40M contract, with cap hits of $19M/$21M (None GTD).
  • Released before June 1
    $10.8M of dead cap to the WFT ($13.6M saved).
  • Traded after June 1
    $5.4M of 2021 dead cap ($19M saved), $5.4M of 2022 dead cap ($21M saved) to the WFT.
    New team acquires a 2 year, $40M contract, with cap hits of $19M/$21M (None GTD).
  • Released after June 1
    $5.4M of 2021 dead cap ($19M saved), $5.4M of 2022 dead cap ($21M saved) to the WFT.
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