At the outset of the 2022 NFL offseason, here's how much cap space each NFL team currently has to work with according to Over The Cap:
AFC East
Cole Beasley's future in Buffalo is uncertain.
(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Miami Dolphins Cap Space: $63.81 million
New York Jets Cap Space: $48.20 million
New England Patriots Cap Space: $8.33 million
Buffalo Bills Cap Space: -4.95 million
As the Bills look to remain one of the NFL's elite teams, they'll need to do some financial maneuvering this offseason. Cole Beasley, Mitch Morse and A.J. Klein could all be cap casualties.
AFC North
The Bengals need to get Joe Burrow more offensive line protection.
(Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Cincinnati Bengals' Cap Space: $57.31 million
Pittsburgh Steelers' Cap Space: $31.21 million
Cleveland Browns' Cap Space: $25.01 million
Baltimore Ravens' Cap Space: $8.77 million
Joe Burrow will become eligible for a new contract after the 2022 regular season, but for now, the Bengals have the third most cap space in the NFL and would be wise to make major investments on their offensive line.
AFC South
Deshaun Watson's future in Houston is uncertain.
(Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Jacksonville Jaguars' Cap Space: $59.25 million
Indianapolis Colts' Cap Space: $37.38 million
Houston Texans' Cap Space: $17.56 million
Tennessee Titans' Cap Space: -$7.17 million
Deshaun Watson will make $35 million in 2022, so it goes without saying that general manager Nick Caserio and the Texans are especially motivated to reach a resolution with Watson this offseason.
AFC West
Mike Williams' future with the Chargers is uncertain.
(Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Chargers' Cap Space: $56.30 million
Denver Broncos' Cap Space: $38.05 million
Las Vegas Raiders' Cap Space: $20.54 million
Kansas City Chiefs' Cap Space: $3.45 million
The Chargers are in a division where both the Chiefs and Raiders made the playoffs and the Broncos are a star quarterback away from potentially being Super Bowl contenders. As they look to keep up in the most loaded division in the NFL -- while also knowing that a long-term deal for Justin Herbert isn't far off -- the Chargers would be wise to reach a new contract with wide receiver Mike Williams, who had 76 catches for 1,146 yards in a walk year.
NFC East
Kenny Golladay's contract looks poor a year after it was given.
(Harry How/Getty Images)
Washington Commanders' Cap Space: $31.90 million
Philadelphia Eagles' Cap Space: $21.53 million
New York Giants' Cap Space: -$12.02 million
Dallas Cowboys' Cap Space: -$21.45 million
Even with a quarterback still on his rookie contract and a team that went 4-13 in 2021, new Giants' general manager Joe Schoen is inheriting a cap disaster. Perhaps the worst deal is for injury-prone wide receiver Kenny Golladay, who will carry a $21.15 million cap number in 2022. If the Giants cut Golladay before June 1, they would be left with $23.6 million in dead cap money. So the Giants are stuck with him for at least another season.
NFC North
Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers both have uncertain futures in Green Bay.
(Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Chicago Bears' Cap Space: $28.65 million
Detroit Lions' Cap Space: $22.74 million
Minnesota Vikings' Cap Space: -$15.34 million
Green Bay Packers' Cap Space: -$50.79 million
The Packers may be "all-in" on Aaron Rodgers for 2022, but they are going to have a hell of a team convincing the four-time NFL MVP that they'll be able to put a championship-caliber team around him next season given their cap situation. Two-time All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams, Rodgers' favorite target, is set to become a free agent.
NFC South
Will the Saints retain Taysom Hill?
(Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Carolina Panthers' Cap Space: $16.58 million
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Cap Space: $3.08 million
Atlanta Falcons' Cap Space: -$7.32 million
New Orleans Saints' Cap Space: -76.00 million
Sean Payton probably was burned out in New Orleans, but his decision to walk away was made easier by the fact that the Saints have the worst cap situation in the NFL. Taysom Hill will carry a $12.33 million hit in 2021, but the Saints would be left with $19 million in dead cap money if they released him before June 1. It's entirely possible Michael Thomas has played his last game with the Saints, but if they trade the former All-Pro wideout before June 1, he'll leave them with $22.7 million in dead cap money next season. 2022 projects to be a lean year for Mickey Loomis, Dennis Allen and the Saints.
NFC West
Von Miller will become a free agent this offseason.
(Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks' Cap Space: $36.44 million
Arizona Cardinals' Cap Space: -813,256
San Francisco 49ers' Cap Space: -4.48 million
Los Angeles Rams' Cap Space: -17.80 million
Even if Andrew Whitworth retires, Les Snead will have his work cut out trying to retain Von Miller and Odell Beckham Jr., two major in-season additions that helped the Rams to win Super Bowl LVI.
