The NFL offseason is here, and while 14 teams prepare for their playoff journey, the rest of the league is already looking ahead to 2025. Salary cap space plays a huge role in shaping rosters, and teams with the most financial flexibility can add top talent to fuel a playoff push.
Let’s dive into the salary cap landscape and explore who has the most room to spend.
Top Salary Cap Spenders for 2025
According to OverTheCap, these teams have the most salary cap space heading into the 2025 offseason:
- New England Patriots: $126.13 million
- The Patriots lead the league in cap space, giving them ample resources to reload their roster. With this much flexibility, New England could target top free agents or lock down long-term extensions.
The Patriots will have the most salary cap space in the NFL next year. @spotrac pic.twitter.com/qUoN6acOao
— PatsNews (@Secure_America_) January 3, 2025
- Las Vegas Raiders: $97.79 million
- The Raiders are just shy of the $100 million mark. This breathing room positions them well to fill gaps on both sides of the ball and remain competitive in the AFC West.
- Washington Commanders: $81.75 million
- Washington’s cap space gives them an opportunity to build around their young core or pursue game-changing free agents in a bid to challenge for the NFC East title.
- Arizona Cardinals: $77.26 million
- The Cardinals, coming off a rebuilding phase, can use this financial advantage to make a leap forward with key signings in free agency.
- Chicago Bears: $66.63 million
- Chicago continues to have a healthy cap situation, allowing them to add more pieces to complement their emerging stars and strengthen their playoff hopes.
- Minnesota Vikings: $65.16 million
- The Vikings are in a great spot financially. They can address their defensive needs or bolster their offensive firepower.
2025 NFL Salary Cap Space updatehttps://t.co/QY7dJmlkfp pic.twitter.com/xIbjVFn5xA
— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) January 5, 2025
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Other Notable Teams in Good Salary Cap Shape
Several teams are also well-positioned financially:
- Los Angeles Chargers: $61.88 million
- San Francisco 49ers: $54.59 million
- Tennessee Titans: $52.60 million
- Green Bay Packers: $52.48 million
- Cincinnati Bengals: $51.94 million
- Detroit Lions: $51.25 million
- Los Angeles Rams: $50.30 million
Each of these franchises has over $50 million to spend, which allows them flexibility to strengthen their rosters in critical areas.
Also Read: NFL League Minimum Salary In 2024
Teams in the Middle Ground
Teams like the New York Giants ($46.56 million), Pittsburgh Steelers ($45.36 million), and Denver Broncos ($45.25 million) have moderate cap space. While not at the top of the list, these franchises have enough room to make strategic moves in free agency.
Other teams include:
- Jacksonville Jaguars: $39.67 million
- Indianapolis Colts: $38.70 million
- New York Jets: $26.25 million
- Philadelphia Eagles: $23.59 million
- Carolina Panthers: $22.74 million
Tight Budgets and Negative Caps
Some teams face tighter financial constraints or even negative cap space:
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $16.62 million
- Dallas Cowboys: $11.49 million
- Baltimore Ravens: $9.50 million
- Kansas City Chiefs: $8.29 million
- Houston Texans: $4.68 million
- Buffalo Bills: $3.29 million
At the bottom of the list, teams with negative cap space include:
- Atlanta Falcons: -$7.17 million
- Miami Dolphins: -$10.81 million
- Seattle Seahawks: -$12.30 million
- Cleveland Browns: -$24.54 million
- New Orleans Saints: -$66.03 million
The Saints have the league’s worst cap situation, requiring significant restructuring to get under the cap for 2025.
Big Names in 2025 Free Agency
The free agent market features some high-profile players who could shift the league’s balance of power:
- Sam Darnold (QB, Minnesota)
- Tee Higgins (WR, Cincinnati)
- Stefon Diggs (WR, Houston)
- Javon Hargrave (DL, San Francisco)
- Jevon Holland (S, Miami)
- Khalil Mack (OLB, Los Angeles Chargers)
Sam Darnold will NOT remain a Minnesota Viking past the season
— Marissa Myers (@Marissa_M27) January 7, 2025
Instead he will be tagged and TRADED to the Miami Dolphins
Full prediction for @TWSN___ https://t.co/s6xBaTeJKq
- Charvarius Ward (CB, San Francisco)
- Ronnie Stanley (OT, Baltimore)
- Chris Godwin (WR, Tampa Bay)
- Amari Cooper (WR, Buffalo)
- Trey Smith (G, Kansas City)
- Keenan Allen (WR, Chicago)
- Haason Reddick (Edge, New York Jets)
- Carlton Davis (CB, Detroit)
What to Expect in 2025
The 2025 offseason promises to be action-packed as teams with financial flexibility race to sign marquee players. The Patriots, Raiders, and Commanders are poised to dominate the market, while teams like the Saints must make tough decisions. With so much talent available, expect surprises and big moves to shape the league’s future.
Also Read: What Is Dead Cap Money in The NFL? Understanding Its Role In Contracts And Salary Cap Space
