Although the cap should make the typical jump up in 2022 with the revenue of a new television deal on the way, the fallout of a season impacted by COVID-19 safety protocols is being felt now across the league. Teams now need to release more players than usual into the NFL free-agency pool, where they also will have less outside spending flexiblity.
MORE: Ranking the top 50 NFL free agents
Here’s an updated team-by-team look at the NFL’s notable cap-related cuts:
NFL salary cap cuts tracker 2021
Arizona Cardinals
CB Robert Alford (re-signed by Cardinals)
Atlanta Falcons
S Ricardo Allen, DE Allen Bailey, G James Carpenter
Baltimore Ravens
RB Mark Ingram (signed by Texans)
Buffalo Bills
WR John Brown, DT Quinton Jefferson
Carolina Panthers
S Tre Boston, P Michael Palardy, DE Stephen Weatherly (signed by Vikings)
Chicago Bears
CB Buster Skrine
Cincinnati Bengals
C B. J. Finney (signed by Steelers)
Cleveland Browns
DE Adrian Clayborn
Dallas Cowboys
FB Jamize Olawale
Denver Broncos
CB A. J. Bouye, NT Kyle Peko
Detroit Lions
CB Justin Coleman, TE Jesse James, CB Desmond Trufant
Green Bay Packers
LB Christian Kirksey (signed by Texans), RT Rick Wagner
Houston Texans
FB Cullen Gillaspia, RB Duke Johnson, G Senio Kelemete, C Nick Martin, DE J. J. Watt (signed by Cardinals)
Indianapolis Colts
None
Jacksonville Jaguars
TE Tyler Eifert (declined option)
Kansas City Chiefs
LT Eric Fisher, RT Mitchell Schwartz
Las Vegas Raiders
G Richie Incognito, G Gabe Jackson, WR Tyrell Williams (signed by Lions)
Los Angeles Chargers
CB Casey Hayward, G Trai Turner
Los Angeles Rams
None
Miami Dolphins
LB Kyle Van Noy
Minnesota Vikings
K Dan Bailey, LT Riley Reiff, TE Kyle Rudolph
New England Patriots
None
New Orleans Saints
LB Kwon Alexander, DT Malcom Brown, TE Jared Cook, TE Josh Hill (signed by Lions), CB Janoris Jenkins, P Thomas Morstead, WR Emmanuel Sanders
New York Giants
RB Devonta Freeman (signed by Bills), LB David Mayo, WR Golden Tate, G Kevin Zeitler
New York Jets
DT Henry Anderson
Philadelphia Eagles
DB Blake Countess, DT Treyvon Hester
Pittsburgh Steelers
None
San Francisco 49ers
DE Ronald Blair, LB Mark Nzeocha (declined option)
Seattle Seahawks
DE Carlos Dunlap, WR Josh Gordon, OT Chad Wheeler
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
None
Tennessee Titans
CB Malcolm Butler, WR Adam Humphries, S Kenny Vaccaro
Washington Football Team
QB Alex Smith
