Just a few weeks away from the start of free agency, teams will do everything they can to create cap space to improve the roster. Every year, however, that means big-name veterans are let go because of the big contracts they signed at the peak of their powers.
Sometimes, players are released because age has simply caught up to them and they are no longer worth the price tag. Other times, a team just needs to find cap space wherever they can get it, and moving on from some big contracts can help do so.
Who are some potential cut candidates among veterans in the 2024 NFL offseason? What players could become cap casualties and hit the free market earlier than expected? Let's find out.
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Cut Candidates For The 2024 NFL Offseason
Cincinnati Bengals RB Joe Mixon
Cap Savings: $5.75 million
Bengals running back Joe Mixon is in real danger of being let go this offseason after he took a pay cut last offseason and teammate Chase Brown emerged at the end of the season. Cincinnati has to figure out how they can bring back receiver Tee Higgins without limiting the rest of the team, and Mixon seems like a logical place to start. While his price tag is reasonable for his production, the Bengals are likely to move on this offseason.
New | With $8.5M on the cap and a $3M roster bonus next month, decision time on Joe Mixon rapidly approaches for the #Bengals (again).
This shouldn’t be hard.
Why keeping him around as currently constructed would willfully jeopardize their title hopes.https://t.co/gX64rpt43K
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) February 21, 2024
Denver Broncos S Justin Simmons
Cap Savings: $14.5 million
The Denver Broncos are in a tough spot with the salary cap, as they are likely to incur a significant amount of dead cap for Russell Wilson to play elsewhere, and they aren't looking to go all-in for 2024. Justin Simmons has played very well during his tenure with the team, but he no longer fits their timeline, and Denver can find a replacement-level safety to hold them over for the cap savings.
Arizona Cardinals S Budda Baker
Cap Savings: $14.6 million
Cardinals safety Budda Baker was fantastic in 2022, but he regressed slightly this past season. Set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2025, it makes sense for Arizona to explore moving on if they don't plan on retaining him past this season. Regardless, his play didn't justify his $18.5 million cap hit, and they will likely rework the deal if nothing else.
Los Angeles Chargers WR Mike Williams
Cap Savings: $20.0 million
Currently $22 million over the cap, the Chargers will have to make some key house-cleaning moves this offseason to create the space to sign a draft class at the minimum. With $20 million in potential savings for letting go of 30-year-old Mike Williams, it's almost guaranteed he will be released. Due to tougher decisions with players like Keenan Allen, Khalil Mack, and Joey Bosa, Williams is a no-brainer cut.
Chargers trading down makes a lot of sense to me. I'm counting 8 starters from last year as free agents before the likely cut candidates of Joey Bosa, Mike Williams, and Eric Kendricks.
I see Harbaugh wanting to build this from the trenches outward. Need more picks to do so.
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) February 17, 2024
Miami Dolphins CB Xavien Howard
Cap Savings: $18.5 million (post-June 1st)
Miami is another team with work to do this offseason, as they currently sit $50 million over the cap. Xavien Howard's cap hit is around $26 million in 2024, and his recent decline in play makes this decision even easier. While the Dolphins will have to wait until after June 1st to save the full $18.5 million, it's the biggest cap savings move they can make to help get into the positive.
Philadelphia Eagles S Kevin Byard
Cap Savings: $13 million
While the Eagles are great at using void years to lessen cap hits, that wasn't the case with Kevin Byard, who was acquired via trade at the deadline. He didn't play quite to the level they were expecting, and this is the only time Philadelphia can move on to save money. None of his money next season is guaranteed, and this should be a simple decision for the Eagles.
Green Bay Packers LT David Bakhtiari
Cap Savings: $20.9 million
A true legend of the franchise, it seems like David Bakhtiari is a sure-fire cut this offseason. The veteran left tackle played just one game last season before suffering an injury, and he hadn't played 1,000 snaps in a season since 2019. Saving $20 million for the cap this year is just too helpful to keep an aging veteran who can't stay on the field.
The #Packers are expected to release All-Pro tackle David Bakhtiari soon, per @TheAthletic
Should the #Jets pick him up? pic.twitter.com/iHKtPEzCJB
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 18, 2024
New England Patriots CB J.C. Jackson
Cap Savings: $14.4 million
J.C. Jackson returned to the Patriots in a trade this past season after signing a deal with the Chargers that keeps him locked up until 2026. New England is still in the early stages of a rebuild, and 2023 first-round pick Christian Gonzales is more than capable of replacing a veteran who doesn't fit the timeline. It's very unlikely New England will take on the cap hit of around $14 million annually to keep him with his recent regression.
Minnesota Vikings S Harrison Smith
Cap Savings: $11.4 million
The Minnesota Vikings have a few big-money priorities this offseason, from possibly extending star receiver Justin Jefferson and giving him north of $30 million annually to giving Kirk Cousins big money to return for another run. Harrison Smith's age is catching up to him, and it would make a lot of sense to cut the 35-year-old to save $11 million towards mega-extensions.
Seattle Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett
Cap Savings: $17.0 million (post-June 1st)
Seattle has gone through a lot of changes already this offseason, and there's no reason to think it will stop. Tyler Lockett has been a great playmaker for the last few years with the Seahawks, but he's aging and starting to show signs of decline. Lockett could be cut before June 1st and save around $7 million, but they can save $17 million post-June 1st. Maybe they opt to keep as many playmakers as possible for Geno Smith, but Lockett is a name to watch as Seattle changes.
The Seahawks could have a decision to make with receiver Tyler Lockett, whose contract is due to carry a $27.845 million salary-cap hit in 2024.
From @bcondotta: https://t.co/Tw5y7cidJV
— Seattle Times Sports (@SeaTimesSports) February 22, 2024
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