Name: How 10 NFL teams with the least salary cap space can help themselves ahead of 2021 season
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How 10 NFL teams with the least salary cap space can help themselves ahead of 2021 season

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site: media | arena: nfl | pageType: stories |section: | slug: how-10-nfl-teams-with-the-least-salary-cap-space-can-help-themselves-ahead-of-2021-season | sport: football | route: article_single.us |6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/storiesByThe 2021 NFL offseason may feature in free agency, with teams set to navigate a reduced salary cap and pandemic-related uncertainties that could continue to linger. But a handful of teams are likely to be quieter because of their own doing. Unlike the and of the league, who are eager to spend big with all kinds of cap room entering the new year, a dozen different franchises are projected to be over the cap at the official start of the offseason.Below, we've listed the 10 teams with the least amount of projected 2021 cap space, as well as some ways each club can help itself ahead of free agency:Note: Projected cap totals are .Projected over the cap: $65.6 millionNo one is in a deeper hole than the Saints, who are going to need creativity, as well as some tough goodbyes, to get through their predicament. , CBS Sports contributor and former agent and cap expert, the biggest and quickest path to cap relief for the Saints is quarterback officially retiring, which can clear nearly $24 million. Then, it's a matter of axing veteran deals for a little savings here and there: linebacker ($13.2M), defensive tackle ($4.9M), cornerback ($2.6M) and punter ($2.5M) all feel like prime cut candidates. The Saints could also look to restructure or extend players like wide receiver , defensive end and offensive guard in order to free up short-term space. Either way, a mass exodus is in order.Projected over the cap: $41.5 millionThe Eagles will need to do just as much trimming as the Saints considering they don't have the luxury of a big-money QB coming off their books. (Trading , which still seems very possible, if not likely, would only save the team about $800,000 in 2021.) That means some big-name veterans are almost guaranteed to be cut or traded: wide receivers ($8M), ($5.1M) and ($4.5M), as well as tight end ($4.7M), are expected to go. The Eagles can also save money by extending or restructuring big-money vets like , , and . Don't rule out Philly at least exploring a trade of Cox, whose departure would save the club nearly $3 million, if teams call about his availability.Projected over the cap: $25.2 millionThe Rams will carry some big dead-money hits thanks to their unloading of and the last two years, but their cap situation isn't impossible to navigate. It may, however, require a tough decision or two. Restructuring lucrative extensions for , and could free up a few million, and tacking an additional year or two onto deal could do the same. The Rams stand to gain the most money by parting ways with one or both of their tackles, as ($5.3M) and ($5.2M) represent potentially substantial savings. That would be a tough pill to swallow, but if they can identify cheaper alternatives via trade or the draft, it could prove wise.Projected over the cap: $23.2 millionThe savings for potential blockbuster trades of QB and WR would be minimal, if not downright nonexistent, hence Atlanta's commitment to both entering 2021. What's left, then, is the Falcons likely cutting veterans they were rumored to be shopping during the 2020 season: guard ($4M), defensive end ($4.5M) and safety ($6.25M) are three easy examples. From there, Atlanta could approach several big-name vets about restructuring extensions, whether it be , or longtime defender .Projected over the cap: $18.1 millionThe Chiefs could instantly get back under the cap by cutting big names like and , but the more likely scenario is Kansas City surrendering its 2019 title. Instead, right tackle is likely due for a big restructure after an injury-riddled season (cutting him would net more than $6M in savings), while linebacker ($2.2M) and running back ($2.2M) are logical cap casualties. Backup QB ($1.3M) could also be replaced for some additional savings, while pass rusher is another big-money veteran who could be restructured.Projected over the cap: $14.2 millionThis one hinges a lot on whether QB returns for his age-39 season. If he does, he'll almost assuredly be doing so at a significantly lower 2021 cap hit than currently projected ($41.25M), unless Pittsburgh intends to strip the entire roster around him to bare bones. If Ben hangs it up, the Steelers would instantly save about $18.125 million. Otherwise, the team could approach cornerbacks and/or about pay cuts, or part with relatively costly vets like TE ($6M).Projected over the cap: $13.5 millionFresh off a restructure of OT to save more than $8M, the Packers figure to approach several other veterans about new deals, including star WR and pass rusher , who's due $21.5 million in 2021. Green Bay can pretty easily make up the rest of its cap hole by parting ways with guys like ($5.6M), Rick Wagner ($4.25M) and ($3.3M). The draft should provide them opportunities to replenish at those positions.Projected over the cap: $9.7 millionDon't fret, Raiders fans: The team is already well on its way to freeing up money to spend. By wisely planning to cut WR ($11.6M), who saw injuries wipe out his role in 2020, Vegas will put itself in the green. The team can save an additional $8.7 million by releasing safety , as well as a whopping $10.725 million by cutting or trading backup QB . Offensive lineman ($5.475M) and DE ($3.75M) are additional cut candidates.Projected over the cap: $5.1 millionThe Vikings can clear all their negative cap room by cutting veteran TE ($5.1M), which seems like the most likely money-saving move of their offseason. Otherwise, there are plenty of veterans ripe for restructures, including safety (who can be released for a savings of $10.25M), left tackle and linebacker . Should Minnesota outright release Reiff and go younger at LT, the team would instantly save $13.75 million.Projected over the cap: $1.8 millionThey don't have a long way to go to get under the cap, but chances are they'll also want to spend a bit in Dan Campbell's first season at the helm. That could mean parting ways with some of Matt Patricia's final gambles, like CBs ($6.1M) and ($5M). Cutting vets like TE ($2.2M) and backup QB ($2.3M) could also give them breathing room.Gabriel Fernandez• 2 min readShanna McCarriston• 1 min readBryan DeArdo• 1 min readBryan DeArdo• 3 min readJeff Kerr• 5 min readJohn Breech• 5 min read()

site: media | arena: nfl | pageType: stories |section: | slug: how-10-nfl-teams-with-the-least-salary-cap-space-can-help-themselves-ahead-of-2021-season | sport: football | route: article_single.us |6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/storiesByThe 2021 NFL offseason may feature in free agency, with teams set to navigate a reduced salary cap and pandemic-related uncertainties that could continue to linger. But a handful of teams are likely to be quieter because of their own doing. Unlike the and of the league, who are eager to spend big with all kinds of cap room entering the new year, a dozen...

How 10 NFL teams with the least salary cap space can help themselves ahead of 2021 season

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