Potential salary cap casualties this NFL offseason

With Rob Gronkowski making a retirement decision, this might not be the best time for the Patriots to jettison a veteran tight end. However, Allen has not proved worthy of his salary. The Patriots owe him $7.4 million in 2019, and all of this could be shed from the Super Bowl champions' 2019 cap sheet by releasing the former Colt. The soon-to-be 29-year-old Allen caught three passes last season, and blocking tight ends do not make this kind of money. Of course, the Pats could approach Allen about another pay cut — like they did last year.

This would be the final season of Bulaga's five-year contract. It's a tough call for the Packers. They have one of the NFL's best right tackles, when he's healthy. Bulaga did play 14 games in 2018 but missed 11 in 2017, seven in 2012 and the entire 2013 season. Green Bay also does not have a plug-and-play option here; former second-rounder Jason Spriggs has underwhelmed. Bulaga has just a $5.8 million base salary. This might be worth betting on his health, but general manager Brian Gutekunst is more willing to spend in free agency than Ted Thompson was. A Bulaga release saves the Packers $6.75M.

Attached to a bizarre in-the-moment, three-year contract worth $33.2 million, Burfict has since struggled with more suspension issues and has dealt with concussion trouble. The embattled linebacker missed nine games last season and has not played more than 11 games in a season since 2013. The Bengals have stood by the controversial linebacker for years, but if they cut the cord soon, they will save nearly $7M. 

Still the highest-paid off-ball linebacker, Collins has obviously not delivered on that contract. The deal, which pays Collins $12.5 million per year, was a Sashi Brown-era investment. General manager John Dorsey has purged the roster of many of his predecessor's players, and it would not be a surprise to see a linebacker-stocked Cleveland team cut Collins. The 29-year-old outside 'backer, who missed almost all of the 2017 season due to injuries, has a $10M 2019 base salary. Removing that from the Browns' books adds $9M-plus to an $80M war chest of cap space.

This could be it for "Sacksonville" as we know it. The Jaguars' extravagant spending in recent offseasons has caught up to them, and at least one of their defensive linemen will be cut. With extensions coming for Yannick Ngakoue and Myles Jack (and possibly Jalen Ramsey), Dareus' $10.5 million cap number — which can be shed without any dead money incurred — is one the Jaguars (currently over the projected 2019 cap) will consider removing from their payroll. If Dareus is released, the soon-to-be-29-year-old defensive tackle (one sack in 2018) will not be the only big-name cut.

This is one of the NFL's most onerous contracts. The Ravens will have to eat $16 million if they trade or cut Flacco. But another team may not be willing to take on the middling quarterback's salary ($79M remains on the through-2021 deal), which would force the Ravens to release their 11-season starter. There does not seem to be an ideal fit for Flacco at this price, and while the 34-year-old passer may restructure his contract to facilitate a trade, a free agency stay may be in the cards. 

The Vikings are mid-quandary. They authorized an unprecedented three-year, fully guaranteed deal for Kirk Cousins and missed the playoffs. Minnesota has barely $6 million in cap space and numerous veterans signed to extensions. One of those is Griffen, whose stock took a hit after his bizarre midseason episode that forced him away from the team for five games. The 31-year-old defensive end can be cut to free up $10.7M in cap room. Griffen redid his deal in 2017 for extra up-front money, and as a result the Vikings can make this move without much dead money. 

The Cardinals' Humphries experiment has not worked out. After a redshirt rookie season (Arizona's NFC championship game run), the former first-round pick has missed 21 games the past three years. The Cards gave Humphries three seasons to work as a starter, on some abominable offensive lines, and injuries have continued to plague him. The team can release the tackle, who wound up on injured reserve with a knee malady in December, should he pass a physical by March 13. Arizona would recoup Humphries' $9.6M fifth-year option salary if this occurs.

One of the modern game's foremost deep-passing enthusiasts, Bruce Arians wants Jackson back in Tampa Bay (but likely not on his $10 million 2019 salary). Jackson requested a trade last year and has been non-committal on whether he would want to play a third season with the Buccaneers; he even singled out another team for which he would rather play. Jackson and Jameis Winston have never established a strong rapport, and the Bucs are up against the cap. They could save all $10M by releasing the 32-year-old deep threat prior to the final year of his contract.

A starter on the 2015 Broncos' all-time defense, Jackson admitted he took the best offer (a six-year, $85 million deal) in agreeing to join the then-woeful Jaguars a month later. He was part of the Jags' revitalized 2017 effort that fell just shy of Super Bowl LII, but with the team having now reverted to its losing ways and over the cap, some veterans will have to go. Jackson expects to be one of those cuts, which would save the franchise $11M. The defensive tackle notched eight sacks in 2017 but just 3.5 this past season. However, he is only 29. There will be suitors waiting.

Like Humphries in Arizona, Johnson has not been on the field enough (31 missed games since 2016) to justify the Texans' 2015 first-round investment. Differing from the Cardinals' situation, Johnson's condition may not allow for a release. The Houston cornerback suffered a severe concussion in Week 1 and missed the rest of last season. Should he not be able to pass a physical in the next five weeks, his $9.1 million, fifth-year option vests. The Texans can move on, free of charge — though, this would be a cold maneuver — if Johnson passes said physical. This would spike the Texans' cap space north of $70M.

One of the linemen paid well on 2017's robust guard market, Lang made the Pro Bowl in his first Lions season but missed 10 games in 2018. Set for his age-32 campaign, the former Packer is set to carry a cap number north of $11 million next season. That will be untenable for Detroit, and a release — netting the Lions more than $8M in cap space — is likely coming. A concussion and a neck injury sidelined Lang last season, and it is fair to wonder if he will return to an NFL field. 

Also part of that 2017 guard group, Leary finished both of his Broncos seasons on injured reserve. Leary's 2018 slate ended after six games, putting Denver to a decision on the highest-paid guard in franchise history. The former Cowboys lineman has played well when healthy for his second NFL team, but the Broncos would save $7.5 million by releasing him. However, this is not an easy decision. Denver could lose top lineman Matt Paradis in free agency and will need some competent blockers to open lanes for Phillip Lindsay. A Paradis- and Leary-less line would basically mean starting over.

The longest-tenured Cowboys position player may be on his way out. Dallas has Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch on rookie contracts, and Lee was not a reliable presence in 2018. Multiple hamstring-related absences limited Lee to seven games last season. The nine-year Cowboy may have to accept a substantial pay cut or risk being a cap casualty. The Cowboys twice restructured Lee's deal for short-term relief, and that created a $10M 2019 cap figure. That will not be a number Dallas can afford entering a complex offseason, with several young talents up for extensions.

Liuget has not lived up to the five-year, $58.5 million extension he signed in 2015. The Chargers already cut his pay in 2018, eliminating a year from the then-suspended defensive tackle's contract. As a result of that adjustment, Liuget's 2019 season is now an option year. The Bolts can save $8M by releasing the eight-year veteran (who is only 28). With third-round pick Justin Jones struggling as a rookie, the Chargers may consider keeping Liuget for one more year. But after his past performance, Liuget will likely soon become a free agent.

From a talent standpoint, the Buccaneers severing ties with their best defender of several years would not be a good idea. McCoy is soon to turn 31 and has made six Pro Bowls, recording at least six sacks in each of the past six seasons (though, the Bucs are moving to a 3-4 defense). Still, Tampa Bay is near the projected 2019 salary ceiling, and general manager Jason Licht did not guarantee the popular defensive tackle would be back for a 10th season. The Bucs, who generally avoid signing bonuses and thus have no guarantees left on a McCoy deal that runs through 2021, would save $13M by releasing their longest-tenured defender.

This move will happen. Long an underwhelming cog in Miami, Parker was a healthy scratch before injuries hit other Dolphins wide receivers last season. The 2015 first-round pick did show promise in 2016 (56 receptions, 744 yards, four touchdowns) but has not performed well enough to play on a fifth-year option salary of $9.4 million. The revamped Dolphins are also planning on tanking pursuing a quarterback in the 2020 draft, so expenses are expected to be tamped down by a team usually aggressive in free agency.

One of the biggest disconnects between Pro Football Focus and the traditional media came in Peat's 2018 season. PFF graded Peat as the NFL's worst guard this season, but the Saints' left guard went to his first Pro Bowl as an alternate (despite missing three games and then suffering a finger injury in Week 17). The Saints don't have many needs, but they are down to barely $11 million in cap space. By cutting their 2015 first-round pick prior to his fifth-year option vesting, the team would pocket $9.6M (and create another need area). 

Jon Gruden cut ties with numerous Raiders acquired during Reggie McKenzie's GM tenure. Penn went through August issues with both regimes, holding out for a better contract in 2017 — a process that ended with a two-year, $21 million extension — and then balking at a pay cut last year. The Raiders drafted Brandon Parker in the 2018 second round, perhaps signaling a Penn cut is near. The Pro Bowl left tackle moved to right tackle last season to accommodate first-rounder Kolton Miller and will turn 36 in April. The Raiders would save $5.5M by cutting Penn, leaving barely few players left from the McKenzie era.

The Eagles stacking their roster in recent years obviously paid off, via the Super Bowl LII title, but the bill is coming. Philadelphia is more than $16 million over the projected cap. Even if the team tables Carson Wentz's extension until 2020, some veterans have to go now. Peters is a tricky case. The Eagles can save $10.2M by cutting their 37-year-old left tackle; after all, they won a Super Bowl largely without him. But Peters is far better than a Philly alternative option. This will be one of a few tough calls for the Eagles. That is, if Peters does not retire.

For a team not going out of its way to field a strong team in 2019, cutting a talented (but overpaid) player and saving $12.9 million seems obvious. The Dolphins do intend to release Quinn, whom they acquired from the Rams last year, while also cutting Andre Branch (to save an extra $7M). Suddenly, the Dolphins' crowded defensive end room will thin out. Miami has often spent recklessly in modern free agency. Its 2019 offseason may be a much-needed course correction. Quinn played in 16 games with Miami and notched 6.5 sacks, but he has not lived up to the contract the Rams gave him after his All-Pro year.

Never an elite tight end but always a well-regarded one, Rudolph is going into the final year of his contract. Should the Vikings (they of an expensive roster) cut their eight-year starting tight end, they will save more than $7.5 million and incur no dead-money charge. Rudolph, 29, amassed the 10th-most receiving yards among tight ends last season (630) and provides a competent third option for Kirk Cousins. The Vikings do not have a surefire heir apparent, though, and may opt to let the incumbent play out his contract. 

Sanders makes sense as a cap casualty, but he is vital to his team. The Broncos' midseason win streak screeched to a halt when they lost Sanders and Chris Harris in a four-day span. Sanders, though, suffered one of the toughest injuries to surmount — a torn Achilles — and will be 32 in March. Easily Denver's top aerial weapon last season, Sanders is set to make $12.9 million in 2019. While Bronco youngsters Courtland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton may not be able to win enough battles on their own, the team would save $10.25M by cutting its top wideout. This process would also create a need area.

The Tannehill era lasted seven seasons, with a 2017 hiatus, but did not produce what the Dolphins hoped. They are unlikely to find a trade partner for the 30-year-old quarterback and will, then, have to release the former first-rounder. A 2018 restructure increased Tannehill's 2019 cap hit to a whopping $26.6 million, but the Dolphins are moving on. The team will save $13.1M while taking on $13.4M in cap penalties. Tannehill stands to be an option for another team seeking a bridge starter — which, ironically, the Dolphins are — albeit on a lower salary.

One of this era's most dependable wide receivers (116 straight games played), Thomas tore his Achilles tendon barely two weeks after longtime teammate Emmanuel Sanders did. A fill-in for Will Fuller, the high-salaried Thomas was not a candidate to come back to the Texans next season. The franchise could save nearly $14 million in cap space with this move, depending on when it releases the nine-year veteran (for injury protection purposes). Houston could possess more than $80M in cap space. The longtime Broncos stalwart, 31, said recently he does not plan to retire.