2022 NFL Cap Space, By Team
Days away from this year’s trade deadline (3pm CT, Nov. 1), a few teams have made some in-season moves to bolster their rosters. Several squads have also restructured contracts this season to create additional space. That extra room will matter as most teams will consider adding or subtracting costs before Tuesday’s deadline.
Here is how teams’ cap-space numbers (courtesy of OverTheCap) look ahead of the deadline:
- Cleveland Browns: $33.72MM
- Las Vegas Raiders: $10.35MM
- Carolina Panthers: $9.79MM
- Atlanta Falcons: $9.71MM
- Philadelphia Eagles: $9.47MM
- Denver Broncos: $7.79MM
- Pittsburgh Steelers: $7.69MM
- Indianapolis Colts: $7.23MM
- Dallas Cowboys: $7.16MM
- Chicago Bears: $7.08MM
- Green Bay Packers: $6.6MM
- Miami Dolphins: $6.16MM
- New York Jets: $5.71MM
- Los Angeles Chargers: $4.97MM
- San Francisco 49ers: $4.95MM
- Los Angeles Rams: $4.93MM
- Arizona Cardinals: $4.76MM
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $4.3MM
- Washington Commanders: $4.26MM
- Kansas City Chiefs: $3.86MM
- Seattle Seahawks: $3.71MM
- Jacksonville Jaguars: $3.67MM
- New Orleans Saints: $3.61MM
- Cincinnati Bengals: $3.31MM
- New York Giants: $3.26MM
- Detroit Lions: $3.25MM
- Baltimore Ravens: $3.07MM
- New England Patriots: $2.19MM
- Houston Texans: $2.09MM
- Buffalo Bills: $1.93MM
- Tennessee Titans: $1.59MM
- Minnesota Vikings: $852K
The Browns have held the top spot for months, and the gulf between their cap-space figure and the field almost certainly stems from a desire to carry over cap space before Deshaun Watson‘s cap number spikes from $9.4MM to a runaway-record $54.99MM. Cleveland has recently been linked to creating more cap space. Interest has come in for Greedy Williams, who is in the final year of his rookie contract, and Kareem Hunt. Although the Browns did not grant Hunt’s summer trade request, it may now take only a fourth-round pick for Cleveland to deal its backup running back.
Another potential seller could move up on this list while creating some additional space in 2023. The Broncos are believed to have made Jerry Jeudy available. Unlike fellow trade chip Bradley Chubb, Jeudy is under contract for 2023 (on a $4.83MM cap number). Denver appears more likely to move Chubb. That departure would remove the franchise tag from the team’s equation in 2023 — barring a tag for fellow 2023 UFA-to-be Dre’Mont Jones — thus freeing up more free agency funds. It will be interesting if the Broncos, if they are to move Chubb, agree to eat much of his fifth-year option salary. George Paton‘s club took on most of Von Miller‘s 2021 money to increase draft compensation.
The Eagles are still near the top despite acquiring Robert Quinn. Philadelphia is paying just $684K of Quinn’s contract, which now runs through 2022 instead of 2024. Chicago is on the hook for $7.1MM. The Bears are on track to have a gargantuan lead on the field for 2023 cap space. They are projected to hold more than $125MM next year, according to OverTheCap.
New Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney checks in at just $784K on their 2022 cap sheet. The former Giants first-rounder’s figures bump to $1.9MM (2023) and $2.53MM (’24). Kansas City recently restructured Travis Kelce‘s deal, creating some wiggle room for the Toney addition. The Chiefs, who did not touch Patrick Mahomes‘ deal this year, restructured Kelce’s contract twice in 2022. Thursday’s trade hit the Giants with a $2.33MM dead-money charge. Toney will count $3.67MM in dead money for the Giants in 2023.
The Panthers picked up nearly $19MM in 2022 dead money via the Robbie Anderson and Christian McCaffrey trades. Unlike the Eagles and Bears, last week’s Panthers-49ers McCaffrey swap did not involve Carolina taking on additional salary. McCaffrey’s offseason restructure dropped his 2022 base salary to the league minimum; the 49ers have him on their books at just $690K. McCaffrey’s record-setting extension will still represent $18.35MM in dead money on the Panthers’ 2023 cap, but his nonguaranteed base salaries from 2023-25 ($11.8MM, $11.8MM, $12MM) transferred fully from Carolina to San Francisco.
On the subject of 2022 dead money, the Bears lead the way with $80.32MM. The Falcons added to their total this month, however, by trading Deion Jones to the Browns. That deal saddled the Falcons with $11.38MM in additional dead money — accompanying the franchise’s record-setting Matt Ryan dead-money hit ($40.53MM) — and ballooned Atlanta’s overall total to $78.57MM. Ryan is off the Falcons’ books after this year, but Jones will carry a $12.14MM dead-money figure in 2023.
Eagles, Robert Quinn Agree To Remove Two Years From DE’s Deal
The Bears are picking up most of Robert Quinn‘s 2022 salary, agreeing to pay $7.1MM and leaving the Eagles responsible for less than $700K. Although Quinn’s Chicago contract ran through 2024, he and his new team agreed to change that.
Quinn and the Eagles agreed to trim both future years off the deal, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). Quinn is now ticketed for free agency in 2023. Both of Quinn’s final two seasons on this contract — a five-year, $70MM accord agreed to in 2020 — were nonguaranteed.
Previously, Quinn’s deal carried base salaries of $13.9MM in 2023 and $12.9MM in 2024. Instead, this shifts to a contract year for the now-thrice-traded pass rusher. Quinn, 32, has only been a free agent once — in 2020 — and he used that opportunity to land $30MM guaranteed from the Bears. The former Rams first-rounder has sandwiched two shaky seasons with a monster 2021 campaign, one that undoubtedly enticed the Eagles to send the Bears a fourth-round pick. Quinn registered just two sacks in 2020 and has just one through seven Chicago games this season. He set a Bears single-season record with 18.5 last season.
This restructure follows a similar one in Cleveland. The Browns acquired Deion Jones‘ through-2023 contract from the Falcons earlier this month, but the parties agreed to lop off the 2023 season from the deal. Like Quinn, Jones is no longer under contract beyond this season. These arrangements will raise the stakes for the two relocating veterans, though both players loomed as potential cap casualties anyway. These restructures will prevent each team from prolonging a separation. Select players receive this treatment annually. The Giants did so with James Bradberry this year, with a May release leading to an Eagles landing.
The Eagles have exclusive negotiating rights with Quinn until next year’s legal tampering period, a two-day window preceding free agency, but it remains to be seen if they will make this partnership more than a rental agreement. While extensions, cap casualties and possible franchise tags will change the equation, next year’s edge rusher market will feature a mix of players seeking a second contract and various veterans.
It seems unlikely Bradley Chubb will be able to hit free agency. Chubb, a current trade candidate, would stand to be the prize next year. Marcus Davenport is also on track to hit the market after a fifth-year option season. Yannick Ngakoue profiles as another young-ish target, as he will only turn 28 in 2023. 49ers backup Charles Omenihu is also due for free agency. Quinn would join a few other vets — Jadeveon Clowney, Justin Houston, Melvin Ingram and Dante Fowler among them — in the older wing of the market.
Philadelphia has Josh Sweat and Haason Reddick in place as its long-term defensive end duo. Brandon Graham, 34, is signed through 2023. The longtime Eagle wants to continue his career past 2022. It will be interesting how the Eagles proceed with Graham and Quinn. For now, both 30-something vets are in place as rotational rushers for the 6-0 team. Nick Sirianni said Friday (via the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane, on Twitter) that Quinn will likely make his Eagles debut in Week 8, likely in a limited capacity.
NFC East Notes: Commanders, Dillard, Giants
The Commanders are planning to open Chase Young‘s practice window next week, Ron Rivera said Thursday. Designating Young to return off the reserve/PUP list will give the former Defensive Rookie of the Year three weeks to be activated. Young has not played since suffering a right ACL tear, and his reconstructive surgery required a graft from his left patellar tendon. This pushed Young’s timetable to midseason. Washington has used James Smith-Williams (two sacks) alongside Montez Sweat (three) this season. The team has been cautious with Young, who last played on Nov. 14, 2021, doing so despite Rivera not exactly being on a tepid seat.
Here is the latest from the NFC East:
- Washington has discussed demoted cornerback William Jackson in trades, and teams have also expressed interest in Daron Payne. But the Commanders are still planning to hang onto the fifth-year defensive tackle, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com notes. Washington did not progress far with Payne on extension talks but rebuffed trade inquiries this offseason. Its D-tackle equation has changed since then. Second-round rookie Phidarian Mathis is out for the season. Both Payne and longtime D-tackle mate Jonathan Allen lead the Commanders with 3.5 sacks apiece; Payne also tallied a safety this season. One of the NFC’s seven 3-4 teams, the Commanders do not necessarily have to be sellers. But they are in the conference’s toughest division, making a road to the postseason more difficult.
- Staying on the trade front, Andre Dillard continues to generate interest. Mentioned in trade rumors before last year’s deadline, the Eagles’ swing tackle might be available this year. The Eagles are believed to be open to moving the former first-rounder, Fowler adds, but they are likely to want at least a third-round pick to move on. Dillard is in a contract year. He would probably be a starter on several teams but operates as a swingman behind Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson. Dillard’s injury history (23 missed games) also stands to affect his value.
- The Giants will be without one of their tackles for a while. Evan Neal suffered what is believed to be a grade 2 MCL sprain and is expected to miss at least three games, per Fowler and NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (Twitter links). Neal stabilized his rookie season a bit after a disastrous night against the Cowboys’ menacing pass rush, but an IR move might be in the cards here. The Giants used Tyre Phillips as Neal’s replacement against the Jaguars. Formerly the Ravens’ starting left guard, Phillips arrived in New York via waiver claim. He rejoined ex-Baltimore teammate Ben Bredeson in New York, but the Giants’ starting left guard is also set to miss time after a Week 7 injury.
- Daniel Bellinger also left the Giants-Jaguars game due to injury. The team’s starting tight end will soon undergo surgery to repair a fractured eye socket and septum, Paul Schwartz of the New York Post tweets. Brian Daboll said it is too soon to count on Bellinger returning this season, though Schwartz adds this is not believed to be a season-ending malady. Stepping in as a starter despite being a rookie fourth-round pick, Bellinger has 16 receptions (third in an evolving Giants aerial attack) for 152 yards and two touchdowns. The San Diego State alum also has a rushing score this season. Tanner Hudson is the only other Giant tight end with a catch (three) this year.
More On Bears, Robert Quinn Trade
The Eagles made a splash earlier today when they acquired defensive end Robert Quinn from the Bears, and it sounds like Chicago is picking up most of the player’s tab. According to Albert Breer of TheMMQB (on Twitter), the Bears are picking up $7.1MM of Quinn’s remaining 2022 salary. This means Philly will only be responsible for around $700K, which is the veteran’s minimum.
[RELATED: Bears To Trade DE Robert Quinn To Eagles]
It was speculated that the Bears were able to garner a fourth-round pick because they would be covering much of Quinn’s 2022 salary. The lineman is in the middle of a five-year, $70MM deal, but he has non-guaranteed base salaries of $14MM in 2023 and $13MM in 2024.
Quinn was rumored to be on the block for the rebuilding Bears, but considering the player’s salary, it presumably took a bit to find a trade partner. When the team was ultimately offered a fourth-round pick from the Eagles, GM Ryan Poles said he jumped at the opportunity.
“It just made too much sense in what we are trying to do here in building a championship team,” Poles said of his trade haul (via Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com). “I know the Eagles are really fortunate to have him. Part of the tough part about this job is having to make tough decisions. You also know that you are tweaking the fibers of your locker room.
“That’s really where you have to compartmentalize those two different areas,” Poles added (via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin on Twitter). “You know, for the future I think it’s going to give us the ability to continue to grow and build our foundation that we’re trying to build. That is the exciting part.”
Poles provided more insight into trade negotiations, noting that assistant GM Ian Cunningham, who previously worked in the Eagles front office, “was instrumental” in getting the trade done, per Cronin. The general manager also wouldn’t commit to any more trades taking place, adding that “it’s hard to tell” if trades will materialize and “there’s not a ton going on right now.”
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/26/22
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed to active roster: K Rodrigo Blankenship
- Placed on IR: DL Rashard Lawrence
Chicago Bears
- Promoted: G Dieter Eiselen
Cleveland Browns
- Placed on IR: LB Jacob Phillips
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from NFI: LB Damone Clark
- Placed on IR: OL Matt Farniok, CB Jourdan Lewis
Denver Broncos
- Designated for return: OL Tom Compton
Houston Texans
- Designated for return: DB Tavierre Thomas
Indianapolis Colts
- Designated for return: S Trevor Denbow
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed off Raiders practice squad: CB Tevaughn Campbell
Las Vegas Raiders
- Promoted: OT Jackson Barton
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: LB Jeremiah Attaochu
New England Patriots
- Designated for return: OT Yodny Cajuste
New York Giants
- Designated for return: OT Matt Peart, LB Elerson Smith, CB Rodarius Williams
Philadelphia Eagles
- Designated for return: TE Tyree Jackson
- Released: DE Tarron Jackson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed to active roster: S Nolan Turner
Bears To Trade DE Robert Quinn To Eagles
After holding onto Robert Quinn during the initial months of their rebuild, the Bears have found a taker for his contract. The Eagles are acquiring Quinn, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL.com report (on Twitter).
Quinn, 32, is in the third season of his five-year, $70MM deal. The Eagles lost Derek Barnett early this season and have now replaced him with a three-time Pro Bowler. No stranger to in-season trades under GM Howie Roseman, the Eagles are adding a 12th-year veteran coming off an 18.5-sack season.
The Bears will pick up a fourth-round pick for Quinn, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. This mid-round choice will change sides because of the Bears’ willingness to pick up much of Quinn’s $12.8MM salary. Chicago will be on the hook for most of Quinn’s remaining money (less than $9MM), Garafolo adds (on Twitter).
This move is similar to the Broncos’ decision to pay most of Von Miller‘s salary last year. That financial call led to second- and third-round compensation from the Rams. The Eagles will not be responsible for much of Quinn’s 2022 money; he has nonguaranteed salaries ($13.9MM, $12.9MM) in 2023 and ’24. If Quinn fares well during his first games in Philly, it would not surprise to see the Eagles restructure that contract. They have gone to this well numerous times in recent years.
This trade comes seven months after the Bears acquired second- and sixth-round choices for Khalil Mack, who went to the Chargers. Chicago shed several contracts from its veteran front seven this offseason, also moving on from Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman and Danny Trevathan. Quinn did not seem to fit, and the Bears began shopping him again earlier this month. Roquan Smith, who requested a trade this summer, will be the last one left from that talented front seven.
Philadelphia used trades to bolster its 2017 roster, bringing in Ronald Darby shortly before the season and Jay Ajayi during the year. D-linemen Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham remain from that Super Bowl-winning squad, and the Eagles have continued to add pieces to that front in the years since. Quinn will join a line also housing veterans Javon Hargrave, Haason Reddick and Josh Sweat, along with first-rounder Jordan Davis.
Philly now rosters one of the deepest defensive end crews in recent memory. The 6-0 team will be able to throw a Reddick-Sweat-Graham-Quinn wave at teams. The Eagles entered the week ranked fourth in both total defense and points allowed. They are well off the Cowboys’ sack pace, however, sitting on 17. Dallas leads the NFL with 29.
The Bears probably could have gotten more for Quinn had they moved him this offseason, when he was coming off that 18.5-sack season. Quinn excelled as a Cowboys one-and-done in 2019, leading to the Bears contract, but registered only two sacks in 2020. Mack went down with a foot injury midway through last season, and Quinn proceeded to break Richard Dent‘s Bears single-season sack record. That certainly put him back on the map. Despite Quinn skipping minicamp and being linked to wanting a new team, he reported to training camp and said he did not want to be traded for a third time. With the Bears pivoting to a rebuild, however, the move became logical.
Quinn will head to Philly sitting on just one sack and three quarterback hits. Pro Football Focus has not been impressed by his 2022 work, ranking him near the bottom (124th) among edge defenders. The Eagles are obviously betting that is not indicative of what the former Rams first-rounder has left.
It will be interesting to see how the Eagles use Quinn, but he has thrived after trades in the past. Although Quinn’s Rams-to-Dolphins move (2018) did not lead to major production, he totaled 11 sacks with the Cowboys after being dealt during the 2019 offseason. This marks Quinn’s first in-season trade.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/23/22
Here are today’s practice squad transactions:
Atlanta Falcons
- Released: DE Jordan Brailford
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: CB Daryl Worley
Denver Broncos
- Signed: T Christian DiLauro
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: WR Albert Wilson
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: WR Greg Ward
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: T Eric Smith
- Released: OLB Gerri Green
Rams Included Cam Akers In Christian McCaffrey Proposal; Broncos, Eagles Made Offers
It took four picks for the 49ers to pry Christian McCaffrey from the Panthers. No strangers to exiting trade or free agency sweepstakes with wins, the Rams made a similar offer. It came down to a Day 3 pick for San Francisco’s proposal to win out.
The Rams offered the Panthers second- and third-round 2023 picks, along with fourth- and fifth-rounders in 2024, Albert Breer of SI.com reports. The defending Super Bowl champions also included Cam Akers in their proposal, Breer adds, but the Panthers went with the 49ers’ offer because it included a fourth-rounder in 2023 as opposed to 2024.
Last year’s Sony Michel trade stripped the Rams of their 2023 fourth-rounder; the team sent the Patriots fourth- and sixth-round picks for Michel. The Rams have their first-, second- and third-round picks in 2024, for now, but are not believed to have included any of those choices in their McCaffrey proposal. The value of the 2023 selections will come down to how the NFC West teams finish this season, but the Panthers still viewed the 49ers’ offer as more attractive.
[RELATED: Bills Did Not Make Offer For McCaffrey]
Los Angeles is still trying to move Akers, who could be a chip for the teams that missed out on McCaffrey. However, one of the teams involved in the sweepstakes moved on with a cheaper solution. The Broncos signed Marlon Mack on Monday morning, doing so in the wake of losing Mike Boone suffering an ankle injury against the Jets. Denver adding McCaffrey at this point, amid an October freefall, would have made less sense than the All-Pro back going to a 2022 contender.
Mentioned as a McCaffrey suitor, the Broncos joined the Eagles in making noncompetitive offers, Breer adds. Both teams are believed to have made offers involving third- or fourth-round picks to see if the Panthers were keen on taking a discount to move the high-priced running back. Considering what the Rams and 49ers proposed, the Broncos and Eagles’ efforts were nonstarters for the Panthers.
Midway through last season, the Eagles pivoted to a run-based attack around Jalen Hurts. The team has Miles Sanders atop its backfield depth chart, but the former second-round pick is in a contract year. Ditto Boston Scott. Kenneth Gainwell and Trey Sermon are each signed through 2024, though neither is obviously close to McCaffrey’s level. McCaffrey would have been an interesting piece for Philly, given his passing-game prowess. The Eagles’ offense has not involved much usage for backs through the air; Sanders leads Philly’s backs with 11 catches for 42 yards this season. And it does not sound like the Eagles, who have been in many trade derbies under Howie Roseman, were too interested here.
The first team to call the Panthers on McCaffrey, the 49ers put the trade prize to work quickly. McCaffrey received 10 touches Sunday against the Chiefs, despite not going through a full practice with his new team yet. Rather than add Akers as a CMC replacement, the Panthers turned to backups D’Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard in Week 7. The duo combined for a staggering 208 scrimmage yards against the Buccaneers on Sunday. Foreman is on an expiring contract; Hubbard’s rookie deal runs through 2024.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/15/22
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Denver Broncos
- Signed: TE Dalton Keene
- Released: LS Joe Fortunato
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: RB Jake Funk
Philadelphia Eagles
- Placed on practice squad IR: T Jarrid Williams
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/15/22
Today’s minor moves around the league:
Atlanta Falcons
- Activated from IR: CB Isaiah Oliver
- Promoted: TE MyCole Pruitt
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted: LB Jeremiah Attaochu, S Ar’Darius Washington
Carolina Panthers
- Signed to active roster: LB Arron Mosby
- Promoted: QB Jacob Eason, CB Tae Hayes
- Placed on IR: CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed to active roster: LS Matt Overton
- Promoted: TE Sean McKeon, RB Malik Davis
- Placed on IR: WR Simi Fehoko, RB Rico Dowdle
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted: WR Juwann Winfree
- Placed on IR: LB Tipa Galeai
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed to active roster: WR Keke Coutee
- Promoted: RB Phillip Lindsay, RB D’Vonte Price
- Waived: T Luke Tenuta
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted: LB Ty Summers
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed to active roster: CB Dicaprio Bootle
- Promoted: S Zayne Anderson, LB Cole Christiansen
- Placed on IR: DT Tershawn Wharton
Los Angeles Rams
- OL Chandler Brewer, RB Ronnie Rivers
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: T Brandon Shell, T Kion Smith
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: TE Jacob Hollister
New England Patriots
- Promoted: QB Garrett Gilbert, WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to active roster: WR Keith Kirkwood, WR Rashid Shaheen
- Promoted: CB Chris Harris, WR Kevin White
- Placed on IR: WR Deonte Harty
- Waived: QB Jake Luton
New York Giants
- Promoted: DT Ryder Anderson, WR Marcus Johnson
- Placed on IR: S Tony Jefferson
New York Jets
- Promoted: TE Kenny Yeboah
- Waived: WR Lawrence Cager
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: S Andre Chachere
- Placed on IR: DE Janarius Robinson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed to active roster: CB Josh Jackson
- Promoted: S Elijah Riley, CB Quincy Wilson
- Placed on IR: DL DeMarvin Leal
San Francisco 49ers
- Activated from IR: LB Curtis Robinson
- Promoted: CB Dontae Johnson, WR Willie Snead
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: LB Christian Jones
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted: CB Anthony Chesley, S Nolan Turner