We’ve seen a few recent developments that have impacted some salary cap situations. The Pittsburgh Steelers, for example, finally agreed to a new three-year, $123 million extension with star pass-rusher T.J. Watt that will make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history.
On Monday, the Denver Broncos and receiver Courtland Sutton agreed to a new four-year, $92 million extension.
Other deals are likely to occur between now and the end of the preseason. The Cincinnati Bengals, for example, haven’t reached a new agreement with reigning sacks leader Trey Hendrickson. However, the standout pass-rusher did finally report to camp.
“According to a source, Hendrickson’s impending arrival serves as a good faith gesture to spark negotiations with the team,” ESPN’s Ben Baby wrote on Tuesday.
We may see top unsigned free agents like Justin Simmons, Keenan Allen. Amari Cooper, Brandon Scherff and Asante Samuel Jr. sign before the end of the preseason too.
Now, the raw numbers might suggest that several teams have the financial flexibility to make multiple moves before the start of the regular season. However, it’s important to note that franchises are still working under the top-51 rule.
During the offseason, only the top 51 contracts on a team’s payroll count against a team’s salary cap. This means that a full 90-player roster has 39 contracts that aren’t considered. It also means that many franchises have the freedom to swap low-level contracts in and out at will.
If a player is added to a roster and his contract value isn’t among the top 51, he won’t count against the offseason cap.
Beginning on August 26 at 4 p.m. ET, however, all players on the active roster will count against the base cap of $279.2 million. That could lead to some teams keeping the 53 most sensible contracts instead of the 53 best players.
According to Spotrac, the New England Patriots, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets are the only teams with their entire offseason rosters under the salary cap. They should have true flexibility when it comes to keeping and/or adding players in the coming weeks.
Conversely, the Buffalo Bills, New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins are the most likely to part with players for purely financial reasons. Each possesses a 90-player roster that is more than $20 million over the cap.
The Cleveland Browns have the league’s most expensive offseason roster at $342.5 million. Because Cleveland rolled over unused cap space from the 2024 season, however, it’s in a very manageable situation entering the preseason.