Randy Gregory’s Age Factored Into Broncos’ FA Pursuit; OLB Will Be Limited At Training Camp
The Broncos separated from Von Miller at the trade deadline, moving the top pass rusher in franchise history for second- and third-round picks. That trade helped the Broncos assemble their Russell Wilson package, but Miller was interested in coming back to Denver this offseason.
After alerting the Broncos he would be interested in returning if they were to acquire Wilson or Aaron Rodgers, Miller — long stuck on Denver teams with bottom-tier QBs — did not hear from his longtime team in free agency. That led the future Hall of Famer to Buffalo, after offers emerged from the Rams and Cowboys. Dallas’ edge-rushing plans factored into Denver’s, with Randy Gregory‘s decision to spurn his former team leading the Cowboys to make Miller an offer.
[RELATED: How Will Broncos Sort Out Crowded OLB Corps?]
Gregory being nearly four years younger than Miller factored into the Broncos’ approach. Denver was also linked to Chandler Jones in free agency, but it made Gregory its top OLB target, Troy Renck of Denver7 notes. Jones is 32; Miller is 33. Gregory is not exactly on the young side for a first-time free agent, at 29, but the oft-suspended pass rusher certainly does not have the wear and tear on his body other edge players at his age generally do.
The Broncos gave Gregory a five-year, $70MM deal. While locking down the off-and-on Cowboy is a risk, due to Gregory’s unavailability history and recent injuries, the Broncos have him at $14MM per year. Gregory’s fully guaranteed money ($28MM) ranks just 24th among edge defenders. Gregory staying healthy would likely make Denver’s deal a bargain, but he will not go into training camp at full speed.
Rehabbing offseason shoulder surgery, Gregory will be a limited participant during the first week of Broncos camp, Mike Klis of 9News notes. The team is planning to ease its big-ticket edge acquisition into action, and Klis adds Gregory is not expected to play in the preseason. Teams have become increasingly more willing to sit starters during the preseason, and Gregory being sidelined until the Broncos’ Sept. 12 opener will give him a near-six-month recovery window.
In addition to the shoulder malady, the former Nebraska talent missed 2021 time because of calf injury and underwent knee surgery — to address an underlying problem — shortly after the season ended. As Bradley Chubb‘s 2021 recently illustrated, a two-surgery year is cause for concern. But the Broncos are planning to have Gregory ready to go when they face the Seahawks in Week 1. Gregory, Chubb, Malik Reed, second-rounder Nik Bonitto and relocated inside linebacker Baron Browning represent one of the NFL’s deepest edge-rushing corps. But the team’s top two cogs here are coming off injury-affected seasons and/or offseason surgeries.
Condoleezza Rice Joins Rob Walton’s Broncos Ownership Group
Rob Walton‘s ownership group placed the top bid to acquire the Broncos. While Walton’s son-in-law and daughter — Greg Penner and Carrie Walton Penner — are expected to run the day-to-day operations, others are part of the ownership group that placed the $4.65 billion bid.
The group added a big name recently. The Broncos announced Monday former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice is now part of Walton’s ownership group. Rice is a University of Denver alum, receiving two degrees from the university after spending part of her childhood in the city.
“We’re pleased to welcome former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to our ownership group. A highly respected public servant, accomplished academic and corporate leader, Secretary Rice is well known as a passionate and knowledgeable football fan who has worked to make the sport stronger and better,” the Walton-Penner group said in a statement. “Her unique experience and extraordinary judgment will be a great benefit to our group and the Broncos organization.”
Rice, 67, is a former member of the College Football Playoff committee and was once linked to the Browns’ HC position. The latter connection was quickly dismissed by Rice, a known Browns fan, but she has been involved in the game for a bit. Rice joins Starbucks chairwoman Mellody Hobson as prominent members of Walton’s ownership group. Peyton Manning has also been connected to a role with Walton’s group. The former Broncos quarterback spoke with all four ownership groups who became finalists to acquire the franchise about a role with his former team.
“It is an honor to be part of this ownership group. Football has been an integral part of my life since the moment it was introduced to me, and I am thrilled to be a part of the Broncos organization,” Rice said, via 9News’ Mike Klis (Twitter links). “I spent much of my younger years in Denver so to be able to combine my love of the game with my love for this great city and team is an adventure of a lifetime and a great opportunity.”
Walton’s group is in the process of taking over the Broncos. A vote among the league’s 31 other owners approving the sale is expected to take place in August.
AFC Roster Rumors: Van Roten, Jefferson, Scharping, Reed
As the calendar year ticks away the days, NFL teams are having to start thinking about the difficult decisions they will have to make to eventually get their rosters down to 53 players to start the season. While the teams still have almost two months to make all the necessary cuts, many veterans are entering training camp on roster bubbles.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the players who may find themselves looking for a new team by the time the season begins:
- The Bills brought in free agent offensive guard Greg Van Roten to solidify their depth on the interior of the offensive line. The 32-year-old veteran has starting experience with the last two clubs he’s spent time with, the Panthers and Jets, but he may not even make it to the final 53-man roster in Buffalo, according to Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN. As the Bills figure out just who will receive their coveted roster spots, the final spot will likely become a battle between Van Roten, Greg Mancz, whose experience at center could give him an edge, and rookie sixth-round pick Luke Tenuta.
- The Ravens are overloaded with talent at the safety position. With free agent addition Marcus Williams, first-round pick Kyle Hamilton, and incumbent starters from last year Chuck Clark and Brandon Stephens all crowding the depth chart, veteran Tony Jefferson may find himself on the outside looking in, according to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. Jefferson was released by Baltimore two offseasons ago, following a season mostly lost to a torn ACL, but was brought back last year after starting safety DeShon Elliott went down with a season-ending injury and Baltimore needed another veteran presence in their defensive backfield. Unfortunately, with the influx of new talent combined with the presence of last year’s starters, the Ravens may find that rostering Jefferson is not crucial to their depth at the position.
- After trading cornerback Lonnie Johnson Jr. to the Chiefs this offseason, the Texans‘ 2019 draft class is down to two remaining players: first-round tackle Tytus Howard and second-round guard Max Scharping. While Howard has established himself as a starter on the line, Scharping is not a lock for the 53-man roster, according to Sarah Barshop of ESPN. Scharping stepped up as a starter during his rookie season but could not manage to hold onto the spot in his second year. The 2021 season saw Scharping struggle enough that his roster spot is now in question.
- Over the past three seasons, pass rusher Malik Reed has been a lifesaver for Denver as the Broncos saw stars Von Miller and Bradley Chubb each miss time over the 2019, 2020, and 2021 seasons. Some roster moves by the Broncos, though, seem to be pointing toward some roster danger for Reed, according to ESPN’s Jeff Legwold. Free agent Randy Gregory was brought in on a $70MM contract, Denver drafted rookie Nik Bonitto in the second round this year, and the Broncos moved Baron Browning to outside linebacker after he played his entire rookie season on the inside. That trio will all be under contract until at least 2025, while Reed is in a contract year. This doesn’t necessarily spell doom for the former undrafted free agent, who has done a lot to earn his spot. But, with only one roster spot likely to be available at the position, Reed will potentially be duking it out with 2021 seventh-round pick Jonathon Cooper for the final OLB roster spot.
Cowboys Offered Von Miller Five-Year Deal; Rams’ Proposal Guaranteed Two Years
Von Miller chose the Bills in free agency, signing a six-year deal worth $120MM. The contract included $45MM guaranteed at signing and $51.4MM in total guarantees. The Bills needed to come in with an offer that lured Miller away from Los Angeles and kept him out of Dallas. Both the Cowboys and Rams made strong runs at the future Hall of Fame edge rusher.
Placing a “90%” expectation on the likelihood he would re-sign with the Rams, Miller broke down (via The Athletic’s Dan Pompei; subscription required) the difference in the Rams’ and Cowboys’ offers compared to the one that convinced him to move to Buffalo.
Miller’s Bills contract hit $20MM per year, but a nonguaranteed $29.6MM base salary in the contract’s final season inflated the overall value and per-year salary. The Rams offered Miller a three-year deal he said included a higher through-2024 AAV compared to the Bills’ proposal, but the 12th-year veteran added Los Angeles was only willing to include guarantees through two years. The Bills pushing guaranteed money into Year 3 — Miller’s age-35 season — persuaded the perennial Pro Bowler to make an unexpected move east.
After seeing Randy Gregory renege on their offer, the Cowboys did focus on Miller, a Dallas-area native. They offered Miller the same five-year, $70MM deal Gregory had turned down — due to language tied to guarantee voiding. That proposal came with two years guaranteed, Pompei notes. Miller’s Bills deal includes the fifth-most fully guaranteed money among edge rushers. Gregory’s Broncos pact (also five years and $70MM) ranks 24th on that list, with $28MM fully guaranteed.
“I told them I was ready to come to the Cowboys,” Miller said. “I would have taken less to go to Dallas because it’s Dallas. But I wouldn’t take that much less.”
The Cowboys, who had reached a new agreement to retain DeMarcus Lawrence, ended up giving Dante Fowler a low-cost accord and drafting Sam Williams in the second round. They also re-signed Dorance Armstrong.
The third team Miller was interesting in joining (again) did not show interest. He of eight Pro Bowls as a Bronco, Miller was frequently asked to stump for whatever quarterback the team acquired that offseason. While the Rams were still in the playoffs, Miller sent word to the Broncos that a trade for Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson would put him on board to come back. Miller then teased a Denver return on social media in the offseason. The Broncos had traded Miller to the Rams at last year’s deadline, for second- and third-round picks that became beneficial in the team’s subsequent Wilson acquisition, but Pompei adds Miller’s original team did not contact him during free agency.
Gregory, 29, joined the Broncos, who drafted Nik Bonitto in Round 2. The team also stands to return ex-Miller wingman Bradley Chubb and fill-in starter Malik Reed, along with other George Paton-era draftees, at outside linebacker. In Buffalo, Miller will lead an edge-rushing contingent housing recent first- and second-round picks Gregory Rousseau, Boogie Basham and A.J. Epenesa. The Bills also brought back Shaq Lawson this offseason.
The Bills submitted their offer after a Miller visit, one that Pompei adds included the former No. 2 overall pick nearly backing out. Miller nearly told Sean McDermott and GM Brandon Beane on the visit — a meeting kept quiet — he would not sign with the Bills, but after meeting with the team’s coaching staff and discussing his potential role with Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs, the marquee free agent reconsidered. The end result marked one of the biggest signings in Bills history.
2022 NFL Cap Space, By Team
Between now and training camp, additional free agents will join teams. Several big names — from 2010s All-Decade-teamers Ndamukong Suh and Julio Jones — to longtime starters like Odell Beckham Jr., Jason Pierre-Paul, Trey Flowers and J.C. Tretter remain available as camps approach.
With savings from post-June 1 cuts in the rear-view mirror and fewer than 25 draft picks yet to sign their rookie deals, we have a pretty good idea of teams’ cap-space figures. Here is how the league currently stacks up for available funds:
- Cleveland Browns: $40.9MM
- Carolina Panthers: $25.1MM
- Chicago Bears: $23MM
- Dallas Cowboys: $22.5MM
- Las Vegas Raiders: $21.6MM
- Washington Commanders: $17.7MM
- Green Bay Packers: $16.9MM
- Miami Dolphins: $16.5MM
- Seattle Seahawks: $16.4MM
- Cincinnati Bengals: $15.8MM
- Los Angeles Chargers: $14.5MM
- Pittsburgh Steelers: $14.3MM
- Kansas City Chiefs: $14.3MM
- Atlanta Falcons: $13.4MM
- Philadelphia Eagles: $12.8MM
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $12.4MM
- Indianapolis Colts: $12.3MM
- Tennessee Titans: $11.9MM
- Arizona Cardinals: $11.5MM
- Denver Broncos: $11.5MM
- Minnesota Vikings: $10.9MM
- New Orleans Saints: $10.7MM
- Detroit Lions: $9.8MM
- New York Jets: $9.6MM
- Houston Texans: $9.2MM
- Los Angeles Rams: $7.7MM
- Jacksonville Jaguars: $7.7MM
- New York Giants: $6MM
- Buffalo Bills: $5.6MM
- San Francisco 49ers: $4.7MM
- Baltimore Ravens: $3.9MM
- New England Patriots: $1.9MM
- The Browns reduced Deshaun Watson‘s 2022 base salary to the veteran minimum. The suspension candidate’s cap number checks in at just $10MM, though the figures from the fully guaranteed deal the Browns authorized begin spiking in 2023. Watson’s cap number is set to rise to an NFL-record $54.9MM next year.
- Carolina has been in talks with Cleveland for months regarding a Baker Mayfield trade. The sides have not come to an agreement on how to divide Mayfield’s guaranteed $18.9MM salary. While the Browns are believed to have come up to around $10MM, Mayfield remains on their roster.
- The Bears, Cowboys and Raiders each vaulted into the top five because of post-June 1 cuts. Chicago and Las Vegas were the only teams to designate the maximum two players as post-June 1 releases.
- The Seahawks have been connected to a Mayfield trade, but they have been more likely to pursue the disgruntled QB via free agency — should this process reach that point. A Mayfield free agent signing would not require Seattle to make adjustments to its cap sheet.
- After restructuring Patrick Mahomes‘ contract last year, the Chiefs have not done so in 2022. The superstar passer is attached to a $35.8MM figure — the second-highest 2022 cap charge.
- Atlanta’s cap space factors in the team’s league-leading $63.2MM in dead money, a figure mostly created by Matt Ryan‘s individual dead-cap record ($40.5MM) emerging after the Falcons traded their 14-year starter to the Colts.
- Upon learning Tom Brady would be back for a third Florida season, the Buccaneers did restructure his deal. Brady counts just $11.9MM on Tampa Bay’s 2022 cap sheet, but due to the void years that helped the team save money, that number spikes to $35.1MM in 2023 — when Brady is not under contract.
- San Francisco power brokers have said for months a Jimmy Garoppolo trade is the organization’s goal. With the passer not yet fully cleared, the team — which is preparing for Deebo Samuel and Nick Bosa extensions to come to pass at some point — has a $26.95MM Garoppolo cap charge on its payroll. Releasing Garopppolo would save the 49ers $24.2MM.
- The Ravens have attempted to go forward with a Lamar Jackson extension, but the team has confirmed the quarterback has not expressed much interest in doing a deal now. The sides did discuss the former MVP’s deal during minicamp. Jackson is tied to a $23MM fifth-year option salary.
NFL Teams With Most Dead Cap
The Falcons made history when they traded Matt Ryan to the Colts this offseason. As a result of the trade, the Falcons were left with a record-breaking $40.5MM in dead cap. Thanks to the Ryan trade (as well as the trade of Julio Jones and the release of Dante Fowler), the Falcons lead the NFL with a whopping $63MM in dead cap heading into next season.
For a team that’s probably not looking to compete in 2022, this isn’t the biggest deal in the world. For competitive squads, a hefty dead cap charge could drastically limit their ability to add to their squad following final roster cuts and into the regular season. A team’s current dead cap commitment could also influence who they decide to cut at the end of the preseason.
So which teams have the most dead cap on their books? We’ve listed them in order below (h/t to Sportrac):
- Atlanta Falcons: $63,209,124
- Chicago Bears: $57,643,341
- Philadelphia Eagles: $54,915,221
- Houston Texans: $52,289,341
- Seattle Seahawks: $46,022,390
- New Orleans Saints: $33,347,982
- Pittsburgh Steelers: $30,863,174
- Las Vegas Raiders: $29,441,565
- New York Giants: $29,262,372
- Green Bay Packers: $24,628,608
- Carolina Panthers: $23,507,283
- Dallas Cowboys: $22,713,132
- Minnesota Vikings: $22,092,189
- Jacksonville Jaguars: $21,852,872
- Detroit Lions: $20,324,288
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $19,445,910
- Cleveland Browns: $18,774,054
- Buffalo Bills: $16,601,356
- Denver Broncos: $14,938,136
- Tennessee Titans: $14,290,108
- Los Angeles Rams: $13,522,002
- Baltimore Ravens: $12,292,703
- Arizona Cardinals: $10,278,530
- Cincinnati Bengals: $9,592,578
- New England Patriots: $9,158,009
- Miami Dolphins: $8,483,400
- Kansas City Chiefs: $7,982,236
- Indianapolis Colts: $7,037,428
- San Francisco 49ers: $6,495,221
- Washington Commanders: $6,300,496
- Los Angeles Chargers: $3,661,167
- New York Jets: $2,092,411
Latest On Broncos LB Bradley Chubb
Following a lost season in 2021, Bradley Chubb is ready to return to form during the 2022 campaign. With the Broncos linebacker facing free agency following the upcoming season, reestablishing himself as a Pro Bowler could go a long way in him earning a lucrative second contract. Speaking to Troy Renck of TheDenverChannel.com, Chubb said he believes the 2022 season will be a bounce-back year.
“I feel it for sure,” Chubb said. “It was one of those things that you go through so much, you know what I mean? The dam has to break at some point,” Chubb said. “I feel like things have been building up and building up and it’s finally time to let it all out.”
Chubb had ankle surgery last offseason, delaying his participation in training camp. He hurt his other ankle toward the end of preseason, and after an attempt to play through the pain early in the season, the linebacker went under the knife a second time. However, the 26-year-old has been able to return to his normal routine this offseason, and he’s confident a proper offseason and preseason will prepare him well for the upcoming campaign.
“It’s been huge, to be honest with you, just because I am not worried, ‘Is this going to be OK?'” Chubb said. “You have the mindset that, ‘I am good and I am just going to attack everyday like it’s my last,’ and that’s what I have been doing this offseason, and it’s been working out for me.”
In only seven games last season, Chubb finished with 21 tackles and zero sacks. He was also limited to only four games during his sophomore campaign. However, in his two healthy seasons (in 2018 and 2020), the linebacker collected 19.5 sacks. If he can return to that form, he can expect a lucrative contract next offseason. At the very least, he could be destined for the franchise tag, which was valued around $18.7MM this offseason. Chubb will earn $13.9MM during his fifth-year-option year in 2022.
Chubb is projected to not only enter the coming season healthier than any of the past three, but with his starting spot assured. He will join free agent signee Randy Gregory as the team’s top pass rushers.
Largest 2022 Cap Hits: Defense
After looking at this year’s top salary cap numbers on the offensive side of the ball, here is a rundown of the players counting the most toward their teams’ payrolls in 2022.
As could be expected, the salary figures here start below the quarterbacks. A few pass rushers, however, are tied to notable cap hits. Those numbers that check in within the top 20 leaguewide regardless of position. With the exception of true nose tackles and pure slot cornerbacks, every defensive position is represented here.
Here are the top cap figures on the defensive side for the ’22 season:
- T.J. Watt, OLB (Steelers): $31.12MM
- Chris Jones, DT (Chiefs): $29.42MM
- Joey Bosa, OLB (Chargers): $28.25MM
- Leonard Williams, DL (Giants): $27.3MM
- Aaron Donald, DT (Rams): $27MM
- Jalen Ramsey, CB (Rams): $23.2MM
- Deion Jones, LB (Falcons): $20.1MM
- Bud Dupree, OLB (Titans): $19.2MM
- Justin Simmons, S (Broncos): $18.85MM
- Javon Hargrave, DT (Eagles): $17.8MM
- C.J. Mosley, LB (Jets): $17.5MM
- Cameron Heyward, DL (Steelers): $17.42MM
- Robert Quinn, DE (Bears): $17.14MM
- Matt Judon, OLB (Patriots): $16.5MM
- DeForest Buckner, DT (Colts): $16MM
- Shaquill Griffin, CB (Jaguars): $16.44MM
- Tre’Davious White, CB (Bills): $16.4MM
- J.J. Watt, DL (Cardinals): $15.9MM
- Marcus Peters, CB (Ravens): $15.5MM
- Carl Lawson, DE (Jets): $15.33MM
- Eddie Jackson, S (Bears): $15.1MM
- Lavonte David, LB (Buccaneers): $14.79MM
- Budda Baker, S (Cardinals): $14.78MM
- Romeo Okwara, DE (Lions): $14.5MM
- Trey Hendrickson, DE (Bengals): $14.49MM
- Illustrating how much the cap has climbed over the past several seasons, T.J. Watt is tied to a number nearly twice that of J.J. Watt, who has been tied to $16.7MM-per-year (a defender-record number in 2014) and $14MM-AAV deals as a pro. Trailing his older brother in Defensive Player of the Year honors, T.J. is signed to an edge defender-record $28MM-per-year accord.
- Jones’ four-year Chiefs deal vaults from an $8.5MM cap number in 2021 to the league’s second-highest defensive figure this year. The standout defensive tackle’s cap hit accompanies Patrick Mahomes‘ $35.79MM number, which is well north of his 2021 figure, on Kansas City’s new-look payroll.
- After two franchise tags, Williams scored a monster extension in 2021. The well-paid Giants D-lineman’s cap number this year is way up from his 2021 number ($9.4MM).
- The Rams redid Donald’s contract last month, adding no new years to the through-2024 pact. The all-world defender’s cap hit actually decreases in 2023, dropping to $26MM
- It is not certain Deion Jones will be back with the Falcons, who have jettisoned other Super Bowl LI cornerstones from the roster since the current regime took over in 2021. But they would save just $1MM were they to release the seventh-year linebacker.
- To date, this represents the high-water mark for Mosley cap hits on his Jets deal, which at the time (2019) began a sea change for off-ball linebacker contracts. Mosley’s cap hit, on a pact that runs through 2024 because of the linebacker opting out of the 2020 season, increased by $10MM from 2021-22.
- Hargrave is one of five Eagles pass rushers signed to veteran contracts. The ex-Steeler’s 2021 deal accompanies Brandon Graham, Josh Sweat, Haason Reddick, and Fletcher Cox‘s new agreement on Philadelphia’s defensive front. As cap hits do not reflect average salaries, Hargrave is the only member of this quartet tied to an eight-figure cap number in 2022.
- Quinn has also been connected to a departure, with the 31-year-old pass rusher skipping minicamp after it became known he would like to be traded away from the rebuilding team. His cap hit tops the Bears’ payroll. The Bears would save $12.9MM by trading Quinn, should another team sign up for taking on his full 2022 base salary.
Largest 2022 Cap Hits: Offense
After the COVID-19 pandemic led to the second reduction in NFL salary cap history last year, the 2022 cap made a record jump. This year’s salary ceiling ($208.2MM) checks in $25.7MM north of the 2021 figure.
While quarterbacks’ salaries will continue to lead the way, a handful of blockers and skill-position players carry sizable cap numbers for 2022. A few of the quarterbacks that lead the way this year may not be tied to those numbers once the regular season begins. The 49ers, Browns and Ravens have made efforts to alter these figures via trades or extensions.
Here are the top 2022 salary cap hits on the offensive side of the ball:
- Ryan Tannehill, QB (Titans): $38.6MM
- Patrick Mahomes, QB (Chiefs): $35.79MM
- Kirk Cousins, QB (Vikings): $31.42MM
- Jared Goff, QB (Lions): $31.15MM
- Aaron Rodgers, QB (Packers): $28.53MM
- Carson Wentz, QB (Commanders): $28.29MM
- Jimmy Garoppolo, QB (49ers): $26.95MM
- Russell Wilson, QB (Broncos): $24MM
- Lamar Jackson, QB (Ravens): $23.02MM
- Kenny Golladay, WR (Giants): $21.2MM
- Garett Bolles, T (Broncos): $21MM
- Dak Prescott, QB (Cowboys): $19.73MM
- Derek Carr, QB (Raiders): $19.38MM
- D.J. Humphries, T (Cardinals): $19.33MM
- Keenan Allen, WR (Chargers): $19.2MM
- Taylor Decker, T (Lions): $18.9MM
- Sam Darnold, QB (Panthers): 18.89MM
- Baker Mayfield, QB (Browns): $18.89MM
- Matt Ryan, QB (Colts): $18.7MM
- Ronnie Stanley, T (Ravens): $18.55MM
- Donovan Smith, T (Buccaneers): $18.4MM
- Ezekiel Elliott, RB (Cowboys): $18.22MM
- DeAndre Hopkins, WR (Cardinals): $17.95MM
- Cooper Kupp, WR (Rams): $17.8MM
- Laremy Tunsil, T (Texans): $17.71MM
- The Chiefs’ cap sheet looks a bit different this year, with Tyreek Hill and Tyrann Mathieu off the roster. But Mahomes’ cap number rockets from $7.4MM in 2021 to the league’s second-largest figure in 2022. This marks the first time Mahomes’ 10-year contract is set to count more than $10MM toward Kansas City’s cap, with the AFC West champs not yet restructuring the deal this year.
- Tied to a few lucrative extensions since relocating to Minnesota, Cousins’ third Vikings deal dropped his cap number from $45MM. The fifth-year Vikings QB’s cap number is set to climb past $36MM in 2023.
- Prior to negotiating his landmark extension in March, Rodgers was set to count more than $46MM on the Packers’ payroll.
- The 49ers are aiming to move Garoppolo’s nonguaranteed money off their payroll. That figure becomes guaranteed in Week 1, providing a key date for the franchise. San Francisco is prepared to let Garoppolo negotiate contract adjustments with other teams to facilitate a trade.
- Wilson counts $26MM on the Seahawks’ 2022 payroll, due to the dead money the NFC West franchise incurred by trading its 10-year starter in March.
- Jackson, Darnold and Mayfield are attached to fifth-year option salaries. Jackson’s is higher due to the former MVP having made two Pro Bowls compared to his 2018 first-round peers’ zero. The 2020 CBA separated fifth-year option values by playing time and accomplishments. The Browns and Panthers have engaged in off-and-on negotiations on divvying up Mayfield’s salary for months, while a Jackson extension remains on the radar.
- Golladay’s cap number jumped from $4.47MM last year to the highest non-quarterback figure among offensive players. The Giants wideout’s four-year deal calls for $21MM-plus cap hits from 2023-24.
- Prior to being traded to the Colts, who adjusted their new starter’s contract, Ryan was set to carry an NFL-record $48MM cap hit this year. The Falcons are carrying a league-record $40.5MM dead-money charge after dealing their 14-year starter.
- The Texans restructured Tunsil’s deal in March, dropping his 2022 cap hit from $26.6MM to its present figure. Because of the adjustment, Tunsil’s 2023 cap number resides at $35.2MM
Contract information courtesy of Over The Cap
Wilson Holding Pre-Training Camp Summit
- Although the NFL is amid its quiet period, the Broncos‘ new quarterback will host a pre-training camp of sorts ahead of the team reconvening. Russell Wilson will gather his pass catchers for a mid-July summit in San Diego, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets. The Broncos have their top four wide receivers (Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick, KJ Hamler) and tight end Albert Okwuegbunam back, and Melvin Gordon‘s re-signing kept the team’s 2021 backfield intact. But Denver newcomers Wilson and Nathaniel Hackett‘s presences obviously loom larger, and the 11th-year QB will take advantage of some off time to accelerate his rapport with his new teammates.