2025 NFL Dead Money, By Team
As we head toward the playoffs, three NFL teams are carrying more than $100MM in dead money. That represents more than a third of the salary cap. The 49ers are also on track to make the playoffs with more than $100MM allocated to players no longer on their 53-man roster. Here is where the 32 teams stand for dead money (via OverTheCap) with three weeks left in the regular season:
- New Orleans Saints: $107.83MM
- San Francisco 49ers: $103.77MM
- New York Jets: $102.1MM
- Las Vegas Raiders: $87.79MM
- Philadelphia Eagles: $87.27MM
- Seattle Seahawks: $86.1MM
- Jacksonville Jaguars: $85.49MM
- Cleveland Browns: $83.22MM
- Miami Dolphins: $72.45MM
- Houston Texans: $66.44MM
- Tennessee Titans: $59.42MM
- Green Bay Packers: $57.98MM
- Los Angeles Rams: $56.23MM
- New England Patriots: $50.56MM
- Denver Broncos: $42.78MM
- Dallas Cowboys: $41.34MM
- Detroit Lions: $40.71MM
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $40.39MM
- Los Angeles Chargers: $38.78MM
- Baltimore Ravens: $38.38MM
- Buffalo Bills: $37.58MM
- Carolina Panthers: $36.55MM
- New York Giants: $33.74MM
- Pittsburgh Steelers: $33.7MM
- Minnesota Vikings: $30.6MM
- Washington Commanders: $27.29MM
- Atlanta Falcons: $27MM
- Cincinnati Bengals: $20.99MM
- Kansas City Chiefs: $20.33MM
- Indianapolis Colts: $17.37MM
- Arizona Cardinals: $16.51MM
- Chicago Bears: $8.6MM
The $100MM trio dwarfs last year’s leaders — the Broncos — in this unwanted area. The Saints began taking some overdue medicine for their cap-gymnastics past by trading Marshon Lattimore last year. That move coming after June 1 pushed $31.67MM onto New Orleans’ 2025 cap sheet. Derek Carr also counts $19.2MM on this year’s Saints cap, while Ryan Ramczyk‘s retirement covers more than $11MM.
The Carr punishment covers $55.88MM in total, meaning nearly $37MM from the QB’s retirement will land on New Orleans’ 2026 payroll. Mickey Loomis‘ spree of restructures on that contract created that inflated figure.
Deebo Samuel brought a receiver-record dead money total to the 49ers, who absorbed $34.12MM by trading the seventh-year veteran in March. The second leg of the post-June 1 Arik Armstead transaction from 2024 created a $15MM dead cap hit this year, with void years on Charvarius Ward‘s deal covering more than $12MM.
Gang Green took on barely $20MM combined from the Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams trades and will do the same next year, reflecting the low signing bonus figure on the Gardner extension. The Jets, though, have taken $56MM in total from the Aaron Rodgers release ($21MM this year, $35MM next). That is the second-highest total dead cap hit in NFL history.
The team that authorized the highest dead money sum in league annals — Denver, via the 2024 Russell Wilson release — is still carrying $32MM on that contract. It comes off the books next year, and the Broncos do not have any other player counting more than $3MM in dead cap on their 2025 payroll.
The Eagles and Seahawks are also moving toward the playoffs with higher dead money counts compared to the 2024 Broncos, though it should be noted the cap’s $24MM increase from last year plays into this. Philadelphia is still carrying a combined $26MM from the 2024 Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox retirements. Josh Sweat void years also comprise $16.44MM of this year’s cap. The Seahawks’ D.K. Metcalf trade brought $21MM in dead cap, while Geno Smith, Tyler Lockett and Dre’Mont Jones combine to cover more than $41MM in dead money.
Amari Cooper and Za’Darius Smith‘s 2024 Cleveland exits via trade tagged the Browns with more than $36MM in dead money together, while the Dolphins are dealing with more than $30MM combined from the post-June 1 designations on Xavien Howard and Jalen Ramsey. The latter counts $15.7MM in dead money this year and $20.9MM in 2026. That eclipses Lattimore’s defender-record total for dead cap.
Bengals’ Duke Tobin Not On Hot Seat; Zac Taylor Likely To Be Retained For 2026
The Bengals have plunged into an ignominious place, being set to miss three straight playoff brackets in Joe Burrow‘s 20s. The team’s status received additional scrutiny after some puzzling comments from the superstar quarterback last week. Although Burrow attempted to clarify the disillusionment he expressed was not directed at the Bengals, antennae around the NFL sprang up after the press conference.
Sitting 4-10, the Bengals have regressed considerably from a 2024 season that featured a woeful defense deny Burrow playoff access after an MVP-caliber season. Cincinnati’s defense has dipped from 2024, as Trey Hendrickson has missed much of this season with a hip injury. For most franchises, a housecleaning would be considered. But the Bengals do not operate like most clubs.
While rumblings about de facto GM Duke Tobin‘s job security emerged midway through this season, The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. counters by noting the executive VP is not going anywhere. The Bengals view Tobin “like family,” per Dehner.
Tobin, 55, has been with the Bengals since 1999. The team did not win a playoff game for 20-plus years into Tobin’s stay with the team. In most cases, the person in the GM seat would have been fired long ago. But the Bengals have kept Tobin around; success during the Burrow era followed, but the team is certainly in a rut.
Hired in 2019, Taylor will end this season 2-for-7 in playoff qualification. Burrow injuries have defined much of Taylor’s tenure, however, and the team made back-to-back AFC championship game berths for the first time in franchise history on the current HC’s watch. This included a narrow Super Bowl LVI defeat. Since the Bengals’ 2022 AFC title game loss to the Chiefs, they are 22-26. Like Tobin, however, Taylor should be viewed as likely to remain in his post beyond this season, per Dehner.
Taylor’s extension carries two more years, as Dehner adds the contract runs through the 2027 season instead of 2026. The sides agreed on a five-year extension in 2022, but Dehner notes the parties huddled up again on an amended deal following the 2022 slate; this tacked on a year to the previous agreement. That additional bump could prove to be significant regarding Taylor’s future.
When the Bengals last made a coaching change, Marvin Lewis coached a lame-duck season. This left no guaranteed money for the longtime HC, giving the Bengals a clean out after the 2018 season. Most teams do not proceed this way, but the Bengals certainly have a reputation for thriftiness under Brown. Firing Taylor with two seasons left on his deal would be out of character, though it would stand to reason the HC’s seat would be reasonably warm come 2026.
Burrow lobbied aggressively for the Bengals to retain Tee Higgins and then stumped for a Hendrickson payday. Hendrickson is on track for free agency, seeing his extension push fail when the Bengals refused to include guaranteed salary beyond Year 1 of a new deal. His raise has led to a seven-game season; the Pro Bowl pass rusher is now on season-ending IR. Higgins has played well when healthy, though he has sustained two concussions this season. It will be interesting to see if Burrow pushes for any additional moves, as many roster updates will be required after this wildly disappointing season.
Additionally, Dehner notes DC Al Golden is more likely to stay than go in 2026. Although DVOA had Golden’s defense ranked as the worst in NFL history through 10 weeks, the Bengals have shown some improvement recently.
The team ranked last in EPA per drive and points allowed per drive before its bye week; it is now 23rd and 19th in those categories, respectively, since. Those are not exactly impressive statistics, but the Bengals have employed Golden on multiple occasions. The former Notre Dame staffer is likely to be given a chance to repair the unit in 2026.
A stay-the-course path certainly will be risky for the Bengals, who have seen some prime Burrow years squandered due to injuries, poor defensive performance and slow starts. It will be interesting to see if any real chatter about Burrow visiting the Carson Palmer playbook surfaces. For the time being, the high-end QB is not taking any aggressive tactics with regard to his Cincinnati status. He will also keep playing despite Cincy’s playoff elimination, even as yet another season of his became defined by injury (this one turf toe). But plenty of heat will be on the Bengals’ top decision-makers coming out of this double-digit loss season.
NFL Minor Transactions: 12/16/25
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed to active roster: WR Jalen Brooks
Cincinnati Bengals
- Claimed off waivers (from Steelers): WR Ke’Shawn Williams
Houston Texans
- Signed to active roster: RB Jawhar Jordan
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed off Panthers’ practice squad: RB DeeJay Dallas
- Opened practice window: LB Jalen McLeod
- Placed on IR: LB Jack Kiser
Las Vegas Raiders
- Waived: DT Leki Fotu
New England Patriots
- Signed off Colts’ practice squad: LB Chad Muma
New York Jets
- Signed to active roster: S Jarius Monroe
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: S D’Anthony Bell
Tennessee Titans
- Claimed off waivers (from Browns): G Garrett Dellinger
A steady presence in Arizona a couple years ago, Fotu started four of six game appearances for the Raiders this year. The occasional starts were not indicative of his true usage, though, as he hasn’t gotten consistent time on the field for Las Vegas in 2025. The Raiders will move on from the veteran as they shift focus in a lost season towards evaluating young talent with more gametime.
As a practice squad elevation this weekend, Jordan became the first Texans running back to eclipse the century mark in a game this year. Houston wasted little time in returning him to the active roster
Updated 2026 NFL Draft Order
Sunday’s action provided more clarity on a number of fronts relating to the playoff pushes in each conference. The list of teams still in contention for the top pick in the 2026 draft remains long, however.
Week 15 saw the Broncos and Rams clinch a postseason berth. Meanwhile, the Chiefs, Bengals and Vikings have each officially been eliminated from the playoffs. They will join the group of teams turning their attention to offseason planning. That of course includes extensive evaluation of the top prospects in this year’s class; several have already turned pro (with some exceptions).
Sunday’s results mean there are nine teams with two, three or four wins. Each of them remain candidates to secure the No. 1 selection, although victories by the Saints and Commanders yesterday will greatly hinder their chances of moving to the top of the order. Jockeying amongst teams like the Raiders, Jets and Cardinals (each on track to pursue a new quarterback this spring) will be a storyline worth following closely down the stretch.
For non-playoff teams, the draft order is determined by the inverted 2025 standings plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule. Playoff squads are slotted by their postseason outcome and the reverse order of their regular season record.
Here is an updated look at the first-round order:
- New York Giants (2-12)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2-12)
- Tennessee Titans (2-12)
- Cleveland Browns (3-11)
- New York Jets (3-11)
- Arizona Cardinals (3-11)
- New Orleans Saints (4-10)
- Washington Commanders (4-10)
- Cincinnati Bengals (4-10)
- Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons)
- Miami Dolphins (6-8)
- Kansas City Chiefs (6-8)
- Minnesota Vikings (6-8)
- Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1)
- Baltimore Ravens (7-7)
- Carolina Panthers (7-7)
- Detroit Lions (8-6)
- New York Jets (via Colts)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6)
- Philadelphia Eagles (9-5)
- Houston Texans (9-5)
- Dallas Cowboys (via Packers)
- Buffalo Bills (10-4)
- Chicago Bears (10-4)
- Los Angeles Chargers (10-4)
- San Francisco 49ers (10-4)
- Cleveland Browns (via Jaguars)
- New England Patriots (11-3)
- Seattle Seahawks (11-3)
- Los Angeles Rams (11-3)
- Denver Broncos (12-2)
Bengals QB Joe Burrow Not Seeking Trade, Not Considering Retirement
10:10pm: When speaking to the media after today’s shutout loss, Burrow confirmed (via Dehner) his recent comments were tied to “football” rather than “Cincinnati” specifically. Burrow reiterated his belief in the organization – one which has now officially been eliminated from the playoffs for the third year in a row – to make the needed improvements during the offseason.
10:56am: In Week 13, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow returned from injured reserve much earlier than originally expected and led his club to a victory over the division-rival Ravens, thus keeping Cincinnati’s slim playoff hopes alive. A week later, he threw an interception in consecutive fourth-quarter possessions – one of them a pick-six – in a heartbreaking loss to the Bills.
The defeat all but eliminated the Bengals from playoff contention, and during a press conference on Wednesday, a typically-contemplative Burrow offered a few comments that raised eyebrows about his future in the league (or at least in Cincinnati).
“If I want to keep doing this, I have to have fun doing this,” Burrow said (via Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic (subscription required)). “I have been through a lot. If it’s not fun, then what am I doing it for? That is the mindset I am trying to bring to the table.”
When asked what was bothering him, Burrow said, “[t]here are just a lot of things going on right now. A lot of things going on.”
He was then asked if he was referring to personal or football matters, and he succinctly replied, “all of the above.”
The presser took place on Burrow’s 29th birthday, which is the same age that Andrew Luck was when he suddenly announced his retirement in 2019. However, multiple reporters subsequently made it clear Burrow is not considering that route, nor does he want to leave the Bengals (he is currently under contract through 2029).
One source told Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports that the retirement/trade demand speculation that grew out of Burrow’s comments was “blown out” of proportion and simply “crazy.”
“He was emotional on his birthday and pissed that for as much as he’s worked, he’s still not able to win,” the source said. “That’s all he wants to do. … If he cannot win he’s miserable.”
Burrow has missed significant time due to injury in three of his six professional seasons, and though fully-healthy campaigns in 2021 and 2022 led to a Super Bowl appearance and a run to the AFC Championship game, respectively, Cincinnati is on track to miss the playoff field for the third straight year. It would not be surprising if the health woes and the on-field losses have taken a mental toll.
Even if that’s the case, Dianna Russini of The Athletic (subscription required) hears that the two-time Pro Bowl passer has not so much as hinted at retirement, nor does he want out of Cincinnati. Although he previously has expressed frustration with some aspects of the franchise’s operation – such as the fact that the Bengals employ the NFL’s smallest coaching and scouting staffs – those concerns were not behind his Wednesday remarks.
A source close to Burrow said, “[w]hen was the last time Joe made two mistakes to lose a game for any team he’s been on? He knows he has to be perfect for this team to win, and he wasn’t perfect.”
Another source familiar with Burrow’s thinking said, “[e]veryone is being a little dramatic. This isn’t mental health, this isn’t depression, this is ‘I want to win.'”
Jones reports that, the Bengals’ history with unhappy players like QB Carson Palmer notwithstanding, there is no panic within the organization about Burrow’s future in the Queen City. Team sources tell ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that Burrow had an excellent week of practice, and they believe he wants to be there. Even so, ESPN colleague Adam Schefter said on his podcast that rival clubs did take note of Burrow’s words.
“I could tell you this: other teams in the league took notice of [Burrow’s presser],” Schefter said (h/t Charlie Baduini of The Sporting News). “I could tell you that for a fact, I know that because I was texting with some of them.”
Most teams in the league would be interested in acquiring Burrow if he were to become available. At the moment, however, it seems the former Heisman Trophy winner and CFP national champion was merely expressing his frustrations over another lost season in the pros and will remain in tiger stripes for the long haul.
Indeed, Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase has seen no change in, or negativity from, his longtime friend and teammate, per ESPN’s Ben Baby. Meanwhile, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network (video link) echoed the Jones and Russini reports and said Burrow’s comments stemmed solely from his frustration with on-field results.
NFL Minor Transactions: 12/12/25
Here are Friday’s minor moves:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from IR: LB Shaka Heyward
Miami Dolphins
- Signed to active roster: CB Isaiah Johnson
- Placed on IR: LB Caleb Johnson
Philadelphia Eagles
- Activated from IR: LS Charley Hughlett
The Eagles had already waived Hughlett’s injury replacement, Cal Adomitis, when they opened Hughlett’s practice window, so this was a fully expected move in Philadelphia. Shortly after returning to practice, Hughlett resumes his role as the team’s primary long snapper.
In Miami, Isaiah takes Caleb’s spot on the 53-man roster. This is convenient for the Dolphins because Isaiah had run out of standard gameday practice squad elevations back in early-November. With his promotion today, the three-game limit will no longer restrict his ability to suit up.
NFL Minor Transactions: 12/11/25
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: WR Chris Blair, S Jammie Robinson
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on IR: DE Trey Hendrickson (story)
Denver Broncos
- Waived: TE Marcedes Lewis
New York Giants
- Claimed off waivers (from Buccaneers): WR Ryan Miller
Philadelphia Eagles
- Designated for return from IR: OT Cameron Williams
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: DL Adam Gotsis, S J.T. Gray
Marcedes Lewis is being temporarily let go by the Broncos, but the 41-year-old tight end won’t be a free agent for long. According to Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post, Lewis is expected to quickly land back on Denver’s practice squad. However, the team may have some difficulty adding him back to the active roster. Since the Broncos have already exhausted Lewis’s three elevations, the team would have to sign him to the 53-man roster in order for him to make another appearance. Gabriel says the more likely scenario is Lewis sticking around on the taxi squad, with the organization valuing the player’s “leadership [and] character.”
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/10/25
Today’s NFL practice squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: G Wyatt Bowles, G Tyler Cooper
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: S Jordan Fuller
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LB Ty Summers
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: WR Xavier Johnson
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DT Maurice Hurst
- Released: DT Simeon Barrow Jr.
Houston Texans
- Signed: FB Jakob Johnson
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: C Jimmy Morrissey
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: RB Jaret Patterson, DT Kyle Peko
New England Patriots
- Activated from practice squad/injured list: RB Jashaun Corbin
- Placed on practice squad/injured list: RB Craig Reynolds
New York Giants
- Signed: WR Xavier Gipson
- Released: WR Ray-Ray McCloud
New York Jets
- Signed: QB Adrian Martinez, TE Nick Muse
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: T David Sharpe
- Released: RB Trey Sermon
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: CB Isaiah Bolden
Washington Commanders
- Signed: CB Kevon Seymour
Gipson is changing clubs for the third time this season after getting claimed off waivers by the Giants for the second time this year. After starting the season with the Jets and getting cut after a crucial fumble in Week 1, Gipson found his way across town to the other New York team. The Giants waived him after about two and a half weeks, and he was claimed by Philadelphia. His stint with the Eagles has been his longest with any team this year, but he’ll return to the Giants after getting waived once again.
Bengals Designate Shemar Stewart To Return From IR
The Bengals designated rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart to return from injured reserve on Wednesday, per ESPN’s Ben Baby.
Stewart was placed on injured reserve on November 15 with a knee injury. He is returning to practice as soon as he is eligible and could play on Sunday against the Ravens, according to head coach Zac Taylor.
Stewart, the No. 17 overall pick in April’s draft, has dealt with a number of bumps in his rookie year. First was a contract dispute that sidelined him for offseason workouts and the first week of training camp. He played in the first two games of the regular season before an ankle sprain sidelined him for four weeks. He returned in Week 7 but went down against in Week 9 and missed another month.
Those absences may have hindered Stewart out of the game. The Texas A&M product was considered a raw prospect coming out of college who would need significant development to unlock his physical potential. But the stop-and-start nature of his rookie season seem to have impacted his performance. Stewart has just six tackles and one quarterback hit in five games and 177 offensive snaps this year as part of the Bengals’ overall lackluster defensive effort.
On the other hand, the Bengals need every bit of help they can get to keep their season alive. They host the Ravens this weekend after handily winning their first matchup on Thanksgiving. In that game, Cincinnati turned in one of their best performances of the season, forcing five turnovers and holding Baltimore to just 14 points, all without their starting defensive end duo of Stewart and Trey Hendrickson. If at least one is back in the fold on Sunday, the Bengals defense could have another strong day and keep the team’s playoff hopes alive.
Stewart will have 21 days to practice with the team before he must be activated to the 53-man roster or revert to season-ending injured reserve.
Updated 2026 NFL Draft Order
Week 14’s action brought about a few notable updates to the standings at both ends of the NFL’s conferences. Another four teams are officially out of playoff contention, while wins by Tennessee and New Orleans could prove to be rather important once the campaign has ended.
The Jets, Browns, Falcons and Commanders were eliminated from the postseason through the results of recent days. Of course, each of those teams have been out of the running for a playoff push for some time now. Still, that group will be worth watching closely over the closing four weeks of the season as the top-10 order for Day 1 of the draft gradually comes into focus.
Uncertainty regarding the quarterback class of 2026 will no doubt remain a talking point over the coming months. Fernando Mendoza strengthened his case to be QB1 in April’s draft, although it remains to be seen if other top signal-callers like Dante Moore and Ty Simpson will turn pro or elect to remain in school for one more season. Decisions on those fronts will be central storylines carrying significant implications for the teams near the top of the order which find themselves in need of a quarterback investment.
For non-playoff teams, the draft order is determined by the inverted 2025 standings plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule. Playoff squads are slotted by their postseason outcome and the reverse order of their regular season record.
Here is an updated look at the first-round order:
- New York Giants (2-11)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2-11)
- Tennessee Titans (2-11)
- Cleveland Browns (3-10)
- New Orleans Saints (3-10)
- Washington Commanders (3-10)
- New York Jets (3-10)
- Arizona Cardinals (3-10)
- Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons)
- Cincinnati Bengals (4-9)
- Minnesota Vikings (5-8)
- Miami Dolphins (6-7)
- Baltimore Ravens (6-7)
- Kansas City Chiefs (6-7)
- Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1)
- Carolina Panthers (7-6)
- Detroit Lions (8-5)
- New York Jets (via Colts)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6)
- Philadelphia Eagles (8-5)
- Houston Texans (8-5)
- Chicago Bears (9-4)
- Buffalo Bills (9-4)
- Los Angeles Chargers (9-4)
- San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
- Cleveland Browns (via Jaguars)
- Dallas Cowboys (via Packers)
- Seattle Seahawks (10-3)
- New England Patriots (11-2)
- Los Angeles Rams (10-3)
- Denver Broncos (11-2)