Salary Cap Casualties: 5 Big-Name NFL Players Facing Cuts

Russell Wilson

2024 Salary (Including Bonuses): $35.4 Million

Potential Dead Cap: $85.0 Million

It's wild that we even have to consider this, but how the situation has played out between Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos may be an eventuality. Denver could cut ties with Wilson, soaking the $85 million dead cap penalty. 

The relationship between Wilson and the Broncos soured toward the tail-end of the regular season. Denver's brass asked their quarterback to renegotiate his contract, but Wilson declined. Subsequently, the nine-time Pro Bowler was benched, not taking a snap since Week 15. 

He may not be worth what the Broncos are paying him, but Wilson is still a quality starter. The Broncos will be looking for another team to throw them a life jacket as they tread water in this saga, but they're more likely to get weights. Consequently, we could see Wilson become one of the more prominent cap casualties of all time.

Amari Cooper

2024 Salary (Including Bonuses): $23.7 Million

Potential Dead Cap: $11.3 Million

When Kevin Stefanski took over the Cleveland Browns, he had radical ideas to transform the franchise. Stefanski built a community based on accountability and a team-first mentality, needing everyone to make contributions week after week. An indirect consequence is that the Browns' systems don't rely on any singular player to function, which could result in Amari Cooper being a cap casualty.

Cooper had a productive 2023 season. The soon-to-be 30-year-old had the best statistical campaign of his career. He set career-highs in receiving yards (1,250) and yards per reception (17.4) while inching close to previous bests in targets and receptions.

However, the Browns have more affordable players to fill that primary pass-catcher role. Elijah Moore emerged as a top threat, but Cedric Tillman started cutting his teeth in the NFL, and David Njoku remains an elite tight end. 

Heading into his age-30 season and on the edge of regression, the Browns must decide whether Cooper is worth the $23.7 million they're scheduled to pay him in 2024. Stefanski will have no problem replacing Cooper's production if they choose to cut ties. 

Taysom Hill

2024 Salary (Including Bonuses): $15.8 Million

Potential Dead Cap: $16.9 Million

Unlike every other player in the league, Taysom Hill doesn't have a defined role with the New Orleans Saints. We've seen him throw balls, line up as a tight end, rush the ball, and return kicks, but he doesn't truly excel in any position. As such, it's more challenging to defend the $15.8 million the Saints are paying him. 

Hill started seven games last season, accumulating 11 pass attempts, 81 rush attempts, and 40 targets. He was effective in the different roles he was deployed in but hardly deserved the salary the Saints gave him.

Evenly fanning those responsibilities amongst more specialized players should yield improved production at a discounted salary. A team may be willing to pay Hill for his utility abilities, but the Saints need to reconsider if Hill is worth the money this year. 

Jamal Adams

2024 Salary (Including Bonuses): $26.9 Million

Potential Dead Cap: $20.8 Million

The Seattle Seahawks can say they tried everything they could to extract maximum value from Jamal Adams. But at the end of the day, the former All-Pro safety isn't worth the $26.9 million anymore. 

Adams has struggled over the past couple of years. The former sixth-overall selection has appeared in just ten games since 2022, combining for 51 tackles and three passes defended. Still, the more concerning trend emerges from his underlying metrics. Adams allowed an 80.6% completion percentage in coverage this season, for 7.0 yards per completion. 

Adams's best days are behind him. Some teams may be willing to sign him for a fraction of his current salary as a reclamation project, but the Seahawks should be moving on from their safety as soon as possible.

Russell Wilson

2024 Salary (Including Bonuses): $35.4 Million

Potential Dead Cap: $85.0 Million

It's wild that we even have to consider this, but how the situation has played out between Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos may be an eventuality. Denver could cut ties with Wilson, soaking the $85 million dead cap penalty. 

The relationship between Wilson and the Broncos soured toward the tail-end of the regular season. Denver's brass asked their quarterback to renegotiate his contract, but Wilson declined. Subsequently, the nine-time Pro Bowler was benched, not taking a snap since Week 15. 

He may not be worth what the Broncos are paying him, but Wilson is still a quality starter. The Broncos will be looking for another team to throw them a life jacket as they tread water in this saga, but they're more likely to get weights. Consequently, we could see Wilson become one of the more prominent cap casualties of all time.