Colts, Texans, Browns Lead NFL In Cap Space
On Tuesday morning, the NFL released a report of every team’s cap space. The total number accounts for the top-51 cap numbers on every team’s roster. Therefore, these numbers will naturally change before next week as teams set their 53-man rosters (although the 52nd- and 53rd-ranked cap numbers (and beyond) for each team will hardly change anything).
It’s also worth noting that there have been a handful of extensions, trades, signings, and cuts since this report was released. However, there weren’t any significant moves that would drastically alter these rankings.
Why are these numbers important at this time of year? Well, rosters will be trimmed on Saturday, meaning an influx of players will hit the open market. While we can’t imagine any roster casualties earning a lucrative contract from a new team, these numbers can help illustrate the monetary advantage one organization has over another. These numbers are also useful in regards to any potential trades or extensions.
With help from TheMMQB.com’s Albert Breer on Twitter, we’ve listed the league’s cap space totals (as of Tuesday morning) below:
- Indianapolis Colts: $56.6MM
- Houston Texans: $37.0MM
- Cleveland Browns: $34.6MM
- Dallas Cowboys: $26.1MM
- Tennessee Titans: $26.0MM
- San Francisco 49ers: $25.5MM
- Buffalo Bills: $23.3MM
- Miami Dolphins: $22.1MM
- Chicago Bears: $22.1MM
- Washington Redskins: $21.7MM
- Detroit Lions: $21.5MM
- Kansas City Chiefs: $21MM
- Cincinnati Bengals: $19.7MM
- Seattle Seahawks: $19.5MM
- Philadelphia Eagles: $18.6MM
- Jacksonville Jaguars: $18.2MM
- Oakland Raiders: $17.3MM
- Los Angeles Chargers: $16.4MM
- Green Bay Packers: $15.2MM
- New York Jets: $14.9MM
- New England Patriots: $14.1MM
- Baltimore Ravens: $13.4MM
- New Orleans Saints $7.5MM
- Carolina Panthers $5.9MM
- Los Angeles Rams $5.6MM
- New York Giants $5.5MM
- Pittsburgh Steelers $4.9MM
- Minnesota Vikings $4.7MM
- Arizona Cardinals $4.7MM
- Denver Broncos $4.4MM
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers $4.3MM
- Atlanta Falcons $3.4MM
Latest On Dolphins’ Pursuit Of Jadeveon Clowney
Reports just two days ago suggested that the Dolphins would not trade offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Texans for Jadeveon Clowney, and earlier this week, Miami reportedly assured Tunsil’s camp that the former first-rounder would not be dealt.
However, Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald notes that the Tunsil-to-Houston rumors will not go away. It sounds as if Miami is still strongly considering a Clowney trade, but if the team deals Tunsil — one of the best and most-liked players on the team — Beasley says the Dolphins could have a mutiny on their hands.
Beasley’s source said, “[t]he backlash would be amazing. Guys would legit revolt.”
Beasley added the Fins will only include Tunsil in a Clowney trade if they are blown away by the offer. In other words, Houston would have to send back Clowney and premium draft capital if it wants to land the 25-year-old Ole Miss product. The Texans have been persistent in their efforts to pry Tunsil away, but the Dolphins are holding the line for now.
Miami clearly believes Tunsil can be a key component of its next competitive roster, but a package of draft picks could allow the team to assure itself of one of the top QB prospects in the 2020 draft, which would obviously help accelerate the rebuild. If the Dolphins are convinced to part with Tunsil, though, new HC Brian Flores will apparently face the first real chemistry test of his head coaching career.
Texans Discussing Jadeveon Clowney Trade With Five Teams
Trade talks involving Texans pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney are rapidly heating up. The Texans have spoken with at least five teams about the former No. 1 overall pick so far: the Jets and Redskins are in communications with Houston brass, in addition to the previously reported talks with the Seahawks, Eagles, and Dolphins. 
[RELATED: Jadeveon Clowney Willing To Miss Regular Season Games]
The Dolphins believe they are the favorites to land Clowney, and that makes sense given that GM Chris Grier and head coach Brian Flores have met with him in recent weeks. At the same time, Clowney is said to prefer the Seahawks and Eagles. Of course, Clowney is not a free agent, but he effectively holds the cards – he has yet to sign his franchise tender and is reportedly willing to miss regular season games until he gets his way.
The Redskins would also make some sense as an interested party, but they’re not in the mix for him at this time, per Wilson. They remain unwilling to trade Trent Williams, and that’s a big barrier when considering the Texans’ need for offensive line help.
The Clowney/Texans beef started sizzling again this week, sometime around when Clowney fired former agent Bus Cook. On that front, Wilson hears that Clowney is willing to represent himself, at least for now.
Jadeveon Clowney Willing To Miss Regular Season Games
It doesn’t seem like there’s an end in sight to the Jadeveon Clowney saga. The Texans have been looking to trade the former first overall pick, but he holds some leverage in trade negotiations because he needs to sign his franchise tender before he can be moved. Clowney was originally slated to report to the Texans after Week 3 of the preseason, but we heard earlier today Clowney changed his mind once he found out Houston was looking to deal him.
Clowney has been telling people he’s willing to drag his holdout into the regular season, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, who has spoken to multiple sources around the star outside linebacker (Twitter link). In a follow-up tweet, Garafolo’s NFL Network colleague Ian Rapoport writes that he’s heard the same.
As Garafolo points out, he has no financial incentive to sit out games. The deadline has passed for franchise-tagged players to get extensions from their current teams, so he won’t be getting any more money from the Texans in 2019. In fact, he’ll be forfeiting about $1MM for each game he misses since he’s slated to earn $15.967MM under the tag in 2019.
Garafolo reports that Clowney is genuinely hurt by the Texans’ desire to trade him, and that they allowed him to meet with the Dolphins. Houston is clearly planning for life without Clowney, giving his backup Brennan Scarlett an extension earlier today. We’ll keep you updated as we hear more, but as of right now it looks like there’s a very good chance he isn’t on anyone’s active roster come Week 1.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/28/19
We’ll keep track of today’s roster shuffling here as teams gear up for major cuts at the end of the week:
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on IR: DE Mike Love
- Waived: P Corey Carter
- Waived from IR: OL De’Ondre Wesley
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: LS Andrew DePaola
- Placed on IR: DT Destiny Vaeao
Chicago Bears
- Claimed off waivers: OL Tommy Doles
Detroit Lions
- Signed: RB James Williams
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: CB Jackson Porter
- Waived (failed physical): LB Nicholas Grigsby
Houston Texans
- Waived: DB Deante Burton, DB Derrick Jones
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Waived from injured reserve: RB Roc Thomas
New England Patriots
- Waived from injured reserve: WR Maurice Harris
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: OT Riley Mayfield
- Placed on IR: WR Charles Johnson
Tennessee Titans
- Waived: TE Cole Wick
- Waive/injured: OLB Josh Smith
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: T Will Holden, DE Logan Tago
- Waived: DT Jay-Tee Tiuli
Texans, Brennan Scarlett Agree To Extension
The Texans have agreed to an extension with outside linebacker Brennan Scarlett, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). With the new deal, Scarlett is now under contract through the 2020 season. 
Earlier this year, the Texans used the restricted free agent tender to lock Scarlett down for $2.25MM in 2019. The extension will take him through the following season at a rate of $3.75MM.
Scarlett, a Stanford product, has had a strong offseason, and he has been rewarded for his efforts.
“Brennan, he has improved a whole lot, especially from last year to this year,” Texans veteran Whitney Mercilus said recently (via the Houston Chronicle). “He’s embraced his role. His pass rush has been on point. His pass coverage has been on point. I’m excited to see exactly what he does this year.”
Last year, the former UDFA was called upon to make three starts. If teammate Jadeveon Clowney gets traded, then he’ll be seeing even more time on the field.
Latest On Texans’ Jadeveon Clowney
Texans pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney wants out, and now we know why. The star defender planned to report this week, until he found out the team wanted to trade him, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears.
[RELATED: Dolphins Consider Themselves Favorites For Jadeveon Clowney]
Originally, Clowney was slated to report after Week 3 of the preseason. Now, no one knows when – or if – Clowney will show up.
Trade rumors have swirled around Clowney for some time now, but, this summer, it sounds like he was operating under the assumption that he would stay put. The Texans’ recent front office shakeup undoubtedly played a role in Clowney’s situation – former GM Brian Gaine was in favor of giving Clowney a new deal, but head coach Bill O’Brien was reportedly against it. Clowney has been extension-eligible since January 2017 but, so far, the Texans have been unwilling to commit.
Clowney recently met with Dolphins head coach Brian Flores and the Fins view themselves as the favorites to land the former No. 1 overall pick. Meanwhile, Clowney is reportedly eyeing the Seahawks and Eagles.
Dolphins Won’t Give Up Laremy Tunsil In Jadeveon Clowney Trade
The Dolphins are interested in Jadeveon Clowney, but they’ll only go so far to get him. The Dolphins are unwilling to part with offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil in any potential trade with the Texans, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter) hears. 
[RELATED: Jadeveon Clowney Wants To Join Eagles Or Seahawks]
That could be a potential roadblock for the Dolphins in their pursuit of Clowney, since the Texans are in need of offensive tackle help. But, as Wilson notes, the Texans could also use assistance at running back after losing Lamar Miller to a season-ending injury. If the Dolphins are willing to discuss tailbacks like Kalen Ballage, that could give them ammo in a Clowney deal.
Clowney, still only 26, has 29 career sacks despite playing in just 60 of 80 possible career games. Most of those missed games came in his rookie season and he has missed just three games in the last three years.
Texans’ Jadeveon Clowney Wants Trade To Seahawks Or Eagles
Jadeveon Clowney wants the Texans to trade him, and he has a couple of destinations in mind. The standout edge rusher views the Seahawks and Eagles as his preferred destinations, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (Twitter link) hears. 
Meanwhile, Clowney has also met in person with Dolphins head coach Brian Flores and other members of Miami’s brass, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Wilson hears the same thing, though he notes that the Dolphins are not his first-choice destination. On the flipside, the Dolphins would be open to working out a lucrative extension with Clowney, once he’s eligible.
As an unsigned franchise player, Clowney does have some leverage in this matter. The Texans have been unwilling to commit to him for the last few offseasons and he might have enough juice to force a trade to the Seahawks, Eagles, or another contender.
The Texans, ideally, would like to keep Clowney, though they’ve previously set an asking price. In the spring, it was believed that Clowney could be had for a second-round pick (Twitter link via Albert Breer of The MMQB).
After firing his agent on Tuesday afternoon, it appears that Clowney is serious about landing the long-term deal he desires.
Texans’ Jadeveon Clowney Fires Agent
Texans star Jadeveon Clowney fired longtime agent Bus Cook, sources tell Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). Clowney was unhappy with the way talks were going with the team and, presumably, will seek new representation to take over. 
The franchise tag extension deadline has already passed, so it’s too late for Clowney to ink a long-term deal before the start of the season. However, his future will once again be a topic of discussion after the 2019 season. And, in the interim, Clowney can negotiate off of his one-year, $15.967MM tender.
Clowney filed the termination letter for Cook over five days ago, the NFL.com duo hears, so he’s already eligible to sign with a new agent. Clowney’s next agent will try to get the edge rusher out of a scenario in which he is franchise tagged for a second straight season and re-upped on a one-year team option for a third straight season.