NFL 2025 Salary Cap Deep Dive: Key Decisions, Big Names, and Team Strategies

With the NFL 2025 season on the horizon, teams are buckling down to tackle the complexities of the salary cap. From potential star trades to tough cut decisions, here’s a breakdown of the most pressing cap-related questions for each team in the league.

AFC East

Buffalo Bills

Question: Will the Bills move on from Von Miller? Analysis: Miller, who turns 36 next month, hasn’t lived up to his pricey contract. Cutting him would save the Bills $8.397 million in cap space. Given his reduced role in 2024, it seems like a logical move.

Miami Dolphins

Question: Who in Miami is up for contract extensions? Analysis: The Dolphins are over the cap by $11.6 million and will likely look to extend players like Terron Armstead, Jaelan Phillips, and Bradley Chubb to create cap flexibility.

New England Patriots

Question: How will the Patriots spend their league-high cap room? Analysis: With over $120 million in cap space, New England could be major players in free agency. WR upgrades and offensive line help are top priorities.

New York Jets

Question: What’s the cap impact of moving on from Aaron Rodgers? Analysis: Cutting Rodgers would result in $49 million in dead cap. A post-June 1 designation would spread the hit across two years, easing the immediate burden.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens

Question: Is Mark Andrews a cap cut candidate? Analysis: Andrews’ $16.9 million cap hit is steep, but his contributions to the Ravens’ offense make a cut unlikely. A restructure or extension is more probable.

Cincinnati Bengals

Question: Can the Bengals extend Ja’Marr Chase and re-sign Tee Higgins? Analysis: Yes, but it will require creative cap management. Higgins could be franchise-tagged while they work out a long-term deal with Chase.

Cleveland Browns

Question: What’s the plan with Myles Garrett? Analysis: Trading Garrett would result in a massive $36 million dead cap hit. Waiting until after June 1 would allow the Browns to split the charge over two years.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Question: Will T.J. Watt become the NFL’s highest-paid defender again? Analysis: Watt’s $30.4 million cap number could be reduced with an extension, but the Steelers might wait to see how the edge rusher market unfolds.

AFC South

Houston Texans

Question: Which contracts can be restructured for cap relief? Analysis: Danielle Hunter, Nico Collins, and Tytus Howard are prime candidates for restructures, which could free up nearly $22 million in cap space.

Indianapolis Colts

Question: Can the Colts make a run at Tee Higgins? Analysis: With around $28 million in cap space, the Colts are in a position to pursue Higgins, though it’s unclear if they’ll break the bank for him.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Question: Will Christian Kirk be cut? Analysis: Kirk’s $16.5 million salary and recent injury make him a likely cap casualty. The Jaguars could save $11 million by releasing him.

Tennessee Titans

Question: Could the Titans draft a QB and sign a free agent passer? Analysis: Drafting a QB first overall and signing a veteran bridge option is feasible. The Titans have the cap space to pull it off.

AFC West

Denver Broncos

Question: Are the Broncos out of the dead-cap woods? Analysis: The Broncos still have $32 million in dead cap from the Russell Wilson release, but they’re in a much better position than last year.

Kansas City Chiefs

Question: What’s the cap impact if Travis Kelce retires? Analysis: Kelce’s retirement before March 15 would save the Chiefs $17 million against the cap, but they’re unlikely to rush a franchise legend out the door.

Las Vegas Raiders

Question: What’s the most likely path with Maxx Crosby’s contract? Analysis: An extension that aligns Crosby with the top edge rushers in the league is the most probable outcome. The Raiders view him as a cornerstone player.

Los Angeles Chargers

Question: Will the Chargers cut Joey Bosa? Analysis: Bosa’s $25.36 million cap hit makes him a candidate for release, but the Chargers might prioritize keeping him given their pass rush needs.

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys

Question: Will the Cowboys extend Micah Parsons soon? Analysis: Parsons’ extension would lower his $24 million cap number and create space for Dallas. The Cowboys could make him the NFL’s highest-paid defender.

New York Giants

Question: Should the Giants pick up Kayvon Thibodeaux’s fifth-year option? Analysis: Thibodeaux has shown promise, and the $16.06 million option is reasonable for a player of his potential. The Giants are likely to exercise it.

Philadelphia Eagles

Question: Can the Eagles afford to bring back all their defensive free agents? Analysis: Unlikely. Cap constraints will force the Eagles to make tough choices on veterans like Darius Slay and James Bradberry.

Washington Commanders

Question: Should the Commanders spend big to maximize Jayden Daniels’ rookie deal? Analysis: Yes. With over $78 million in cap space, Washington should invest in offensive line help and defensive playmakers to support their young QB.

NFC North

Chicago Bears

Question: Does D’Andre Swift’s contract prevent the Bears from adding a top RB? Analysis: No. Swift’s $8 million salary won’t stop Chicago from drafting a running back early or exploring the free agent market.

Detroit Lions

Question: Will the Lions make a splashy edge rusher move? Analysis: The Lions have the cap space to pursue a big-name edge rusher, but their history suggests they’re more likely to take a targeted approach.

Green Bay Packers

Question: Will the Packers make a splash at wide receiver? Analysis: The Packers prefer to develop their own WRs, but they could pounce if a value opportunity arises in free agency.

Minnesota Vikings

Question: How would keeping Sam Darnold impact the Vikings’ cap? Analysis: Franchising Darnold would cost $40 million in 2025. Signing him long-term would reduce the cap hit but still complicate Minnesota’s plans.

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons

Question: What’s the best way to minimize the cap hit from Kirk Cousins’ contract? Analysis: Trading Cousins before March 17 would save the Falcons $37.5 million in dead cap charges, making it the most viable option.

Carolina Panthers

Question: Will Jaycee Horn get an extension? Analysis: Horn’s fifth-year option is set to pay him $12.472 million in 2025, but the Panthers are expected to work on a long-term deal to keep him in Carolina.

New Orleans Saints

Question: How deep will the Saints’ cap cuts go? Analysis: The Saints are $50 million over the cap and could be forced to make tough decisions on veterans like Derek Carr and Cameron Jordan.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Question: Could Chris Godwin get the franchise tag? Analysis: Unlikely. Franchising Godwin would cost nearly $40 million, making it an impractical option for the Bucs.

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals

Question: Could Arizona be a sneaky player in the veteran WR market? Analysis: With ample cap space and a young WR room, the Cardinals could pursue a veteran like Davante Adams or Deebo Samuel to bolster their offense.

Los Angeles Rams

Question: What would trading Cooper Kupp mean for the Rams’ cap space? Analysis: Trading Kupp before March 17 would save the Rams $12.52 million in cap space, making it a tempting move given their financial constraints.

San Francisco 49ers

Question: What happens if the 49ers can’t trade Deebo Samuel? Analysis: Releasing Samuel and designating him a post-June 1 cut is the only feasible option, resulting in a $10.75 million dead cap hit in 2025.

Seattle Seahawks

Question: Who are the Seahawks’ cut candidates? Analysis: Tyler Lockett and Dre’Mont Jones are top candidates, with their $17 million and $25.645 million cap hits, respectively.

As teams navigate the 2025 salary cap, expect a mix of tough cuts, creative restructures, and blockbuster moves that will shape the NFL landscape for years to come.