Cap Heaven vs Cap Hell

[SlowGettingUp]

So here's a summary of team's draft capital plus 2024 cap space - Patriots are in the top 4 here (and that Cardinals cap space number looks too high to me).

From here (but paywalled):

Evaluating which NFL teams are best set up for the 2024 offseason based on draft capital and cap space | NFL News, Rankings and Statistics | PFF

A look at effective cap space and 2024 NFL Draft capital for all 32 NFL teams heading into the 2024 offseason.

www.pff.com

But that's not the whole story - Patriots have among the best cap space 2024, 2025 and 2026. Now some of that is because we haven't got that many players signed, but it does mean the new Coach/GM have a lot of flexibility in building a team.

The top cap situations in the NFL look to belong to the Colts, Commanders, Patriots, Titans, Bears, and Bengals. They each have a great amount of roster flexibility whether they decide to stand firm with their rosters, cut players and/or restructure contracts. Basically, they can do whatever they want with extensions and free agent signings as long as it is within their cash budget.

Looking at Salary Cap Flexibility and Potential Scenarios in 2024 | Over the Cap

Looking at Salary Cap Flexibility and Potential Scenarios in 2024 | Over the Cap

overthecap.com

And here is cap space in each year:

 

[jmt57]

Denver is in a tough spot with Russell Wilson. They gave up a lot to get him and it is going to be difficult to dump him any time soon.

Russell Wilson

Russell Wilson contract and salary cap details, full contract breakdowns, salaries, signing bonus, roster bonus, dead money, and valuations.

www.spotrac.com

The Jets are in an unenviable position, especially considering they are a sub-.500 team.

New York Jets 2024 Salary Cap

A real-time breakdown of the New York Jets 2024 salary cap, including salaries, bonuses, reserve lists, dead cap, cap space and more.

www.spotrac.com

One thing I have noticed in past years is that the amount of cap space available can sometimes be deceiving. Often it means that team has more soon to be free agents compared to other teams. Fewer players under contract means more money is going to be needed to be spent - either re-signing a player, or on his replacement.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

cap space available can sometimes be deceiving. Often it means that team has more soon to be free agents compared to other teams. Fewer players under contract means more money is going to be needed to be spent - either re-signing a player, or on his replacement.

Absolutely. The Browns, for example, have many players they are paying in 2026 - $245 million worth, while the Pats have only $34m worth. So it all becomes a question of whether those players will still be any good two years from now and how much of that will be dead money.

But one thing is clear - lots of cap space gives you a lot of flexibility to rejigger your team. You aren't locked in with what you have already. By contrast, the Eagles and Saints have little flexibility - their current roster is pretty much set.

From overthecap:

The top cap situations in the NFL look to belong to the Colts, Commanders, Patriots, Titans, Bears, and Bengals. They each have a great amount of roster flexibility whether they decide to stand firm with their rosters, cut players and/or restructure contracts. Basically, they can do whatever they want with extensions and free agent signings as long as it is within their cash budget.

The Saints are by far the least flexible team. Yes they will likely do the max restructure thing to get to $34M and will make a cut to get a shade higher and probably restructure another contract for June 1 cap relief, but what exactly does it accomplish as they struggle to be over 500.

The Bills cap situation has devolved over the last two seasons and they have some really hard decisions to make with this team. Pushing more money to be able to sign a free agent or two would be a mistake in my opinion. They need to get back on the more flexible side which probably means sacrificing a year of being active with signings and restructures.

Both Dallas and Miami look to be in difficult spots as well. Dallas’ numbers are very much tied to Dak Prescott and they probably need to work an extension out with him to help in the future. I would be stunned if Miami does not go all in again next year.

Finally, the Eagles round out the bottom five. Since they have already structured most of their contracts to maximize savings they have created a roster that every year is basically going to carry over from year to year with small releases and retirements along the way.

 

[Pape]

Those future numbers for available cap space will decrease as we either re-sign or extend players we want to keep in New England.

Barmore alone could take up a sizeable chunk of the 2025 cap when they have to decide to re-up him... Maybe it would be prudent to try an extend him in 2024, take the cap hit a year earlier and save on future dollars...

 

[oldrover]

 

[Ross12]

I think the key point is - the team is extremely moldable. Very good draft pick this year, plus copious cap space in next several years. They need a lot of players/pieces, but the new regime has lots of room to work with to be able to pick the pieces they want.

 

[hornetfb85]

Our 2024 includes JC Jackson’s 14.5 million as well with no dead cap I do believe

 

[Ross12]

Our 2024 includes JC Jackson’s 14.5 million as well with no dead cap I do believe

Yep, in all likelihood he will be released and there's zero dead cap from that move. Would put them around $80M in cap space in 2024, over $200M in 2025 and over $260M in 2026.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

We got spoilt on cap issues with Brady - he took a significant discount so rest of team could be better, and also vets were willing to take a discount to come here and play with him and Belichick. Since Brady we have had to pay market rates, and Bill never adjusted to that. Our cash spend has been low, and we declined to play the void years game.

 

[Ring 6]

So here's a summary of team's draft capital plus 2024 cap space - Patriots are in the top 4 here (and that Cardinals cap space number looks too high to me).

From here (but paywalled):

Evaluating which NFL teams are best set up for the 2024 offseason based on draft capital and cap space | NFL News, Rankings and Statistics | PFF

A look at effective cap space and 2024 NFL Draft capital for all 32 NFL teams heading into the 2024 offseason.

www.pff.com

But that's not the whole story - Patriots have among the best cap space 2024, 2025 and 2026. Now some of that is because we haven't got that many players signed, but it does mean the new Coach/GM have a lot of flexibility in building a team.

Looking at Salary Cap Flexibility and Potential Scenarios in 2024 | Over the Cap

Looking at Salary Cap Flexibility and Potential Scenarios in 2024 | Over the Cap

overthecap.com

And here is cap space in each year:

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The players signed with the 2024 cap space will take up more cap space in 2025 and 2026.
Whoever Bendover Bob puts in charge could destroy the next 5 years in one offseason

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Are those cap numbers with the earned incentives added already ie ours wont go down anymore until we start signing people?

 

[javajunky]

Although I would have preferred Vabrel as a coach, Mayo does give us an advantage in maximizing cap space. Mayo's inside knowledge and player loyalty will let him maximize the roster's cap value. We won't lose anyone worth keeping this offseason.

 

[Clonamery]

Yep, in all likelihood he will be released and there's zero dead cap from that move. Would put them around $80M in cap space in 2024, over $200M in 2025 and over $260M in 2026.

At least someone left that in good order.

 

[upstater1]

Look at the Bills and Dolphins. Ooooof.