The Comprehensive QB Carousel Guide

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertFebruary 04, 2021
© USA TODAY Sports

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.

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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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