Cowboys Convert Lamb's Salary

Michael GinnittiMarch 04, 2025

The Dallas Cowboys made their first big push toward cap compliancy, converted $25.68M of WR CeeDee Lamb's 2025 base salary into signing bonus. The move frees up $20.5M of cap space for Dallas, who now boasts a little over $17M.

Lamb's Updated Cap Hits (dead cap)
2025: $14.9M ($58.25M)
2026: $38.7M ($43.3M)
2027: $41.7M ($30.6M)
2028: $21.5M ($17.8M)
2029: $5.1M (void)

nfl dallas cowboys ceedee lamb

Most Surprising NWSL Offseason Trades

Taylor VincentMarch 04, 2025

With the regular season initial rosters due next Wednesday and the regular season kicking off in a week and a half, here’s a look back at the most surprising NWSL trades of the offseason:

1. Jaedyn Shaw traded to North Carolina

Surprising because: Jaedyn Shaw has been with the Wave since July of 2022 when she signed her first professional contract at the age of 17. After the retirement of Alex Morgan in the middle of the 2024 season, it seemed like Shaw was set to be the focal point of the team’s attack—especially after becoming the first USWNT player to score in their first five starts earlier in the year—but alas, the Wave announced that the trade was requested by Shaw earlier in 2024. It’s a good move for an already stacked North Carolina roster who already have 91% of their 2024 regular season minutes played returning to the club in 2025 and now have one more weapon in their arsenal. 

2. Savy King traded to Angel City

Surprising because: King was the 2nd overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Collegiate Draft and played in 18 regular season games for Bay FC in 2024. Even though she did play the majority of her minutes in the front half of the season, when she joined Bay FC last year she signed a three-year contract, so it was a bit surprising to see her leave so soon. (Note: it has been reported that King did request the move). Angel City gains some more depth on defense—which is slightly surprising in and of itself since the team already added Alanna Kennedy and Miyabi Moriya in the offseason. 

3. Jaelin Howell goes to Gotham, while Lynn Biyendolo (née Williams) and Cassie Miller head to Seattle

Surprising because: Biyendolo battled with a lower leg injury throughout the season and still scored four games and assisted on three goals in her little over 1000 minutes for Gotham. At the time of the trade, Biyendolo was one of five forwards on the roster—since the trade the club has added five additional forwards to the roster. For Seattle, getting a proven veteran scorer on the roster adds to the depth that was added during the secondary window last season. On the other side of the trade, Howell had just arrived in Seattle late August of last year and started three of the five matches she was there. Adding Howell to the roster for Gotham is a solid move to replace the gap left by free agent midfielder Delanie Sheehan signing with Houston a few weeks prior. 

4. Alex Loera traded to Utah

Surprising because: Loera was the first player Bay FC signed and was named the captain of the northern-California based expansion side in 2024 before she tore her ACL in April shortly after the season began. It’s a great deal for the Royals as they are receiving a young but proven midfielder who hopefully is close to being removed from the SEI list. In an availability in late January, Loera stated, “hopefully around April” in response to when fans can hope to see her on the pitch.

5. Rocky Rodriguez traded to Kansas City

Surprising because: Angel City doesn’t have a lot of depth in the midfield and to trade away a player who played in almost half of the club’s regular season minutes—and started 13 of the 26 matches—without having already signed the depth to fill in that position is an interesting choice. Kansas City receives another player with national team experience to add even more depth to their already stacked roster. 



Honorable Mention (not intra-league)

San Diego Wave/USWNT defender Naomi Girma transfers to WSL side Chelsea for a reported record setting transfer fee north of $1 million. Extra surprising because after the Wave traded Shaw to North Carolina, Girma appeared to be the remaining franchise player for the club. 

 

nwsl trade

Eagles Will Post 6/1 James Bradberry

Michael GinnittiMarch 04, 2025

The Philadelphia Eagles will make another veteran cut next week, announcing their intention to make CB James Bradberry a Post 6/1 Designation at the start of the league year.

The team had already prepared for this move, lowering Bradberry's 2025 compensation down to $2.1M a few weeks ago. This allows them to carry a team-friendly $5.2M cap hit into June, then take on dead hits of $3.1M in 2025, and $7.7M in 2026. Philly will free up $2.1M of cap space in June when the release officially processes.

The 31-year-old cornerback will be available to sign elsewhere as soon as the designation is announced next week.

nfl philadelphia eagles james bradberry

Bengals Tagging WR Higgins

Michael GinnittiMarch 03, 2025

The Cincinnati Bengals have placed a second franchise tag on WR Tee Higgins. The move comes with a $26,179,200 price for the upcoming season, which represents 120% of his 2024 tag figure. The salary won't become guaranteed until Higgins actually signs the tag, a move he is not expected to make anytime soon as he seeks a multi-year extension from the team.

Despite not being signed, the Cincinnati must factor the tag into their Top 51 cap space for the new league year. The Bengals currently possess around $43.8M of room (including the tag figure).

Cincy may now look to shop Higgins, or workout an extension before July 15th (the deadline to extend a tagged player).

nfl cincinnati bengals tee higgins

Eagles Plan to Release Darius Slay

Michael GinnittiMarch 03, 2025

The Philadelphia Eagles will designate S Darius Slay a Post 6/1 release next week, moving on from the 6x Pro Bowler before the final year of his contract. The 34-year-old was set to earn $16M in 2025, after reeling in $23.15M over the past two seasons.

Instead, Philly will keep his $13.78M cap hit on the books into June, then take on dead hits of $9.456M in 2025, and another $13.294M in 2026. The move will free up $4.324M of cap space once June gets here, but Slay will become a free agent as soon as the designation is processed (next week).

The Eagles currently carry around $17M of Top 51 cap space into March.

nfl philadelphia eagles darius slay

Bengals Release G Alex Cappa

Michael GinnittiMarch 03, 2025

The Cincinnati Bengals made a significant move Monday, releasing starting guard Alex Cappa before the start of the 2025 league year. The 30-year-old was slated to earn $8M in the final year of his contract.

Instead, Cincy takes on a $2.25M dead cap hit, freeing up that $8M in space. The Bengals now boast just under $70M of Top 51 Cap space this offseason.

nfl cincinnati bengals alex cappa

Highsmith Wins Cognizant Classic, $1.66 million

Scott AllenMarch 03, 2025

Joe Highsmith wins Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches. Highsmith earns $1.66 million million bringing his 2025 on-course earnings to $1.77 million and his career on-course earnings to $3.11 million. 

Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches Top 10 Payouts

pga joe highsmith

49ers Agree to Trade Samuel to Washington

Michael GinnittiMarch 02, 2025

The 49ers are prepared to make the first big splash of the offseason, agreeing to a trade that will send WR Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders in exchange for a 2025 5th round pick (projected to be #148 overall). We’ll dive into a few of the facts, figures, & conditions here.

NOTE: We won’t be processing this trade on Spotrac until it becomes official. (likely March 12th).

The Traded Contract

Samuel brings a 1 year, $17,550,529 contract with him to Washington. This includes a minimum $1.17M base salary, per game active bonuses up to $750,000, a $200,000 workout bonus, and a $15,430,525 option bonus. This option bonus must be exercised by March 21st in order to keep the cap hits spread out over 5 seasons. Assuming this occurs, Samuel will carry a $5.206M cap hit in Washington for the upcoming season, with $12.34M of voidable dead cap pushed into 2026.




If the Commanders choose to decline the $15.4M option bonus, that entire amount will be added to his $1.17M base salary, raising his 2025 cap hit to $17,550,525.

All of this of course assumes that Washington and Samuel don’t agree to a new or restructured contract once the move becomes official.

Cap Hits (Option Exercised)
2025: $5,206,105
2026: $12,344,420 (void dead cap)

Cap Hit (Option Declined)
2025: $17,550,525

The Commanders enter March with around $83M of Top 51 cap space, so they certainly have the means to choose either path here. It’s perfectly plausible that the two sides agree on some form of mini-extension to lock in some guaranteed money, and make this more of a small-term marriage than just a quick date.

San Francisco’s Dead Cap

The 49ers will assume $31,020,600 of dead cap in 2025 once the trade processes. All of this cap stems from previously paid out bonuses (an original 2022 signing bonus, a 2023 option bonus, & a 2024 salary conversion).

This represents a $15,195,095 loss of cap space for San Francisco this season, as they previously had Samuel on the books for $15,825,505 (now $31,020,600). The highest cap hit on the 49ers books for 2025 is currently Fred Warner, at $29,174,000. There’s a very good chance Samuel holds that belt when the dust settles this offseason.

Prior to the trade, the 49ers entered March with around $51M of Top 51 cap space. That stands to drop to around $36M once this trade is processed (-$15M).

 

Anthony Edwards Receives One-Game Suspension Following 16th Technical Foul

Scott AllenFebruary 28, 2025

Anthony Edwards receives a one-game suspension for receiving his 16th technical foul during the Timberwolves-Lakers game on Feb 27th, 2025.

Edwards will lose $242,939 for the one-game suspension.

nba minnesota timberwolves anthony edwards suspension

Projected 2026 5th-Year Options

Michael GinnittiFebruary 28, 2025

Since the ratification of the 2020 CBA, NFL 1st Rd 5th-Year option values have been tied to Playing Time & Pro Bowl selections. We'll take a run down the entire first round, making note of the player's status in terms of 3-year playing time (see below), any (initial) Pro Bowl selections, & a projected cost for their 2026 option salary. All 5th-year options must be decided by May 2025. Per this latest CBA, the salary becomes fully guaranteed as soon as it's exercised.

TIER 1: A player is selected to two or more Pro Bowls. The 5th-Year Option price is the same as the franchise tag salary at their position from the previous year.

TIER 2: A player is selected to one Pro Bowl. The 5th-Year Option price is the same amount as the transition tag salary from the previous year.

TIER 3: A player takes 75% of the team’s offensive or defensive snaps in 2 of their first 3 seasons, OR 50% of the snaps played in each of the 3 seasons, OR a 75% average over all three seasons. The 5th-Year Option price is the 5-year average of the 3rd-20th highest paid players at their position.

TIER 4: A player does not meet any of the above criteria. The 5th-Year Option price is the 5-year average of the 3rd-25th highest paid players at their position.

Pick Team Player POS Status 2026 Option Salary
1 JAX Travon Walker OLB Tier 3 $14,751,000
2 DET Aidan Hutchinson DE Tier 2 $19,872,000
3 HOU Derek Stingley Jr. CB Tier 2 $17,595,000
4 NYJ Ahmad Gardner CB Tier 1 $20,187,000
5 NYG Kayvon Thibodeaux OLB Tier 3 $14,751,000
6 CAR Ikem Ekwonu LT Tier 3 $17,560,000
7 NYG Evan Neal T Tier 4 $16,685,000
8 ATL Drake London WR Tier 3 $16,817,000
9 SEA Charles Cross T Tier 3 $17,560,000
10 NYJ Garrett Wilson WR Tier 3 $16,817,000
11 NO Chris Olave WR Tier 4 $15,493,000
12 DET Jameson Williams WR Tier 4 $15,493,000
13 PHI Jordan Davis DT Tier 4 $12,938,000
14 BAL Kyle Hamilton S Tier 1 $18,601,000
15 HOU Kenyon Green T Tier 4 $16,685,000
16 PHI Jahan Dotson WR Tier 3 $16,817,000
17 LAC Zion Johnson G Tier 3 $17,560,000
18 TEN Treylon Burks WR Tier 4 $15,493,000
19 NO Trevor Penning RT Tier 4 $16,685,000
20 PHI Kenny Pickett QB Tier 4 $22,117,000
21 KC Trent McDuffie CB Tier 3 $13,632,000
22 GB Quay Walker LB Tier 3 $14,751,000
23 BUF Kaiir Elam CB Tier 4 $12,682,000
24 DAL Tyler Smith G Tier 2 $21,271,000
25 BAL Tyler Linderbaum C Tier 1 $23,402,000
26 NYJ Jermaine Johnson DE Tier 4 $13,922,000
27 JAX Devin Lloyd LB Tier 3 $14,751,000
28 GB Devonte Wyatt DT Tier 4 $12,938,000
29 NE Cole Strange G Tier 4 $16,685,000
30 KC George Karlaftis DE Tier 3 $15,196,000
31 CIN Daxton Hill S Tier 4 $9,267,000
32 MIN Lewis Cine S N/A Released


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