There's no better year for an NFL team to have ample salary cap space than in 2021.
That's because of course most NFL teams do not, due to the salary cap squeeze caused by the pandemic that's left many around the league struggling to get under the new $182.5 million cap number. With the new figure announced on Wednesday, already teams around the league are reacting accordingly.
Because the salary cap consistently goes up, not down, each year, this is a crunch not seen in over a decade. Not since the 2011 lockout year has the NFL salary cap decreased from the seasons prior when, after a $123M cap in 2009 and an uncapped 2010, the cap regressed to $120 million in 2011. It's gone up every year since, until now.
A slew of quality veterans have already been released with many more expected to come on Thursday.
Here's what makes this situation such a striking lightning-in-a-bottle moment. Veterans being released do not have to wait until the March 17 start of free agency to find work; they can sign with a new team immediately.
This is a very rare opportunity for a team like Washington to seize the moment by adding quality starters and/or depth to bolster its rebuild, with very few teams to compete against for their services. Yes, this is the time to strike.
The Washington Football Team has approx. $38.8 million in salary cap space after releasing Alex Smith, the fifth-most in the league, while the Cowboys ($19.6M), Giants ($3.2M) and Eagles (-$17.4M) are fighting to get out of salary cap hell.
Keep an eye on this list as we track the latest reported cuts around the NFL throughout the day.
Notable 2021 Salary Cap Casualties:
G Trai Turner (Chargers)
Age: 27
The Chargers are releasing right guard Trai Turner, a five-time Pro Bowler with ties to Washington head coach Ron Rivera. Prior to joining Los Angeles, Turner spent his first six NFL seasons in Carolina under Rivera. All but one of those seasons resulted in a Pro Bowl nod. According to Ian Rapoport, the Chargers attempted to trade Turner to retrieve something back but were unable to find a partner. His release saves them more than $11 million against their salary cap.
Source: Ian Rapoport, NFL Network
TE Jesse James (Lions)
Age: 26
The Lions released 6-foot-7 tight end Jesse James Thursday night, a move Adam Schefter says could save $3.5-to-$5 million. James caught 14 passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 9.2 yards per catch in 2020.
Source: Adam Schefter, ESPN
CB Justin Coleman (Lions)
Age: 27
The Lions are planning to release Justin Coleman in a move that will save them roughly $11 million against their salary cap. Coleman missed five games last season and, in two seasons with Detroit, recorded 84 total tackles, 14 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and an interception. He has four interceptions in his six-year NFL career.
Source: Tom Pelissero, NFL Network
LT Eric Fisher (Chiefs)
Age: 30
Eric Fisher has spent the entirety of his eight-year career as a starter for the Chiefs, remaining mostly durable until 2019 when he missed eight games due to injury but was still available for Kansas City's Super Bowl run. Fisher is coming off of a torn Achilles which he suffered in this year's AFC Championship Game, causing him to miss the Super Bowl.
Source: Ian Rapoport, NFL Network
RT Mitchell Schwartz (Chiefs)
Age: 31
Mitchell Schwartz is a nine-year starting right tackle who's spent the past five seasons in Kansas City. He hadn't missed a start for the Chiefs until 2020, when fighting through a back injury limited him to six games. Schwartz underwent back surgery in February.
Source: Ian Rapoport, NFL Network
OL Kevin Zeitler (Giants)
Age: 31
Kevin Zeitler is a highly durable nine-year starter who missed only one game in his two seasons for the Giants. His release is strictly a cost-cutting maneuver that will save New York nearly $10 million. Ian Rapoport expects him to be highly in demand.
Source: New York Giants
CB Janoris Jenkins (Saints)
Age: 32
Janoris Jenkins has been a reliable corner throughout his nine-year career with 26 interceptions and nine defensive touchdowns. ESPN's Adam Schefter notes Jenkins' release will save the Saints $7 million against their salary cap.
Source: Adam Schefter, ESPN
LT Riley Reiff (Vikings)
Age: 32
Riley Reiff is a nine-year starter who's spent the past three seasons protecting Kirk Cousins' blind side in Minnesota. He has remained mostly healthy throughout his career, although he's missed six games in total over his past four seasons with the Vikings. Schefter notes Reiff's release saves Minnesota $11 million in salary cap space.
Source: Minnesota Vikings
S Kenny Vaccaro (Titans)
Age: 30
The Titans released starting safety Kenny Vaccaro which, according to Paul Kuharsky of Outkick.com, saves Tennessee $3.9 million. Vaccaro recorded 83 total tackles, six tackles for loss and a sack in 13 games last season.
Source: Ian Rapoport, NFL Network
CB Malcolm Butler (Titans)
Age: 31
The Titans released starting cornerback Malcolm Butler three years into a five-year, $61.2 million deal, saving $10 million in salary cap space. Butler is still playing at a high level, recording four interceptions for 111 return yards with 100 total tackles and one tackle for loss in 2020. He started all 16 games. Butler says he still believes he can help a contender reach the Super Bowl and is not ready to retire.
Source: Tennessee Titans
This is a growing list and will be updated to reflect the latest noteworthy cuts.
