Despite another big season, this could be it for Marshawn Lynch in Seattle.
Despite another big season, this could be it for Marshawn Lynch in Seattle. (USATSI)

Players taking pay cuts or getting released because their performances don’t justify their salaries is standard operating procedure in the NFL with the lack of fully guaranteed contracts. When a player is released or traded, the remaining proration of the salary components that are treated like signing bonus immediately accelerate into his team’s current salary cap.

For example, if a player signs a five-year contract with a $5 million signing bonus, $1 million of his signing bonus counts toward the salary cap for each year of his contract. If he is released after the second year of his contract, the $2 million of signing bonus proration from the last two years of the contract automatically accelerates into the club’s current cap so there is a $3 million cap charge for the player. This cap charge for a player who is no longer on a team’s roster is commonly referred to as dead money.

There are two major exceptions to this general rule of bonus proration accelerating. Only the current year’s proration counts toward the cap with players released or traded after June 1. The bonus proration in future contract years is delayed until the following season. A team can also release two players each year prior to June 1 (known as a Post-June 1 designation) that will be treated under the cap as if they were released after June 1. With a post-June 1 designation, a team is required to carry the player’s full cap number until June 2 even though he is no longer a part of the roster. The player’s salary comes off the books at that time unless it is guaranteed.

Here’s a look at 20 players whose immediate futures could be in jeopardy with their current teams in 2015.

Adrian Peterson (RB)-Minnesota Vikings

  • 2015 Salary Cap Number: $15.4 Million
  • 2015 Compensation: $13 Million
  • 2015 Dead Money: $2.4 Million
  • 2015 Salary Cap Savings: $13 Million

There was skepticism of Peterson playing the 2015 season with the Vikings at 30 years old under his six-year, $85.28 million contract extension (with a 2017 base salary escalator worth up to $4 million) prior to his legal troubles because the deal doesn’t bear any relation to the rest of the running back market. He is the NFL’s only $10 million per year running back. Peterson has said that a change of scenery might be best, which suggests that he may be more receptive to playing for less with another team once he is eligible for reinstatement from his suspension on April 15. 2015. The 2012 NFL MVP has expressed an interest in playing for the Dallas Cowboys before retiring.

Larry Fitzgerald (WR)-Arizona Cardinals

  • 2015 Salary Cap Number: $23.6 Million
  • 2015 Compensation: $16.25 Million
  • 2015 Dead Money: $14.4 Million
  • 2015 Salary Cap Savings: $9.2 Million

The Cardinals and Fitzgerald recognize that his contract needs to be addressed in the offseason. Fitzgerald has the NFL’s fourth highest 2015 salary cap number while the Cardinals have the second most 2015 cap commitments at slightly under $150 million. General Manager Steve Keim suggested right after $9.4 million of 2014 cap room was created in Fitzgerald’s February contract restructure that he may need to take a pay cut from the seven-year, $113 million extension he signed in 2011 at some point to remain with the team. The situation will come to a head before Fitzgerald’s $8 million 2015 roster bonus is payable on the fifth day of the league year (mid-March).

Marshawn Lynch (RB)-Seattle Seahawks

  • 2015 Salary Cap Number: $8.5 Million
  • 2015 Compensation: $7 Million
  • 2015 Dead Money: $1.5 Million
  • 2015 Salary Cap Savings: $7 Million

It’s been widely rumored that Lynch is playing his final season in Seattle because of dissatisfaction with his contract, friction with the organization, and Robert Turbin and Christine Michael as his potential successors at running back. Head coach Pete Carroll attempted to put those rumors to rest by declaring that he wants Lynch back in 2015, the final year of his contract. Lynch, who will be 29 years old in 2015, isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. He’s fifth in the NFL in rushing with 852 yards and on pace for career highs of 422 receiving yards and 13 rushing touchdowns. Although signing Russell Wilson to a contact extension that should make him one of the NFL’s highest paid players is an offseason priority, it will not prevent the Seahawks from handling Lynch’s 2015 cap number. Seattle is expected to have close to $40 million of cap room in 2015.

Sam Bradford (QB)-St. Louis Rams

  • 2015 Salary Cap Number: $16.58 Million
  • 2015 Compensation: $12.985 Million
  • 2015 Dead Money: $3.595 Million
  • 2015 Salary Cap Savings: $12.985 Million

The lack of a viable alternative at quarterback could lead to Bradford returning in 2015 despite missing the entire 2014 season after tearing the ACL in his left knee for the second year in a row. A return would likely require him taking a significant pay cut where he could earn back a majority of his lost salary in not likely to be earned incentives that don’t count against the salary cap.

Andre Johnson (WR)-Houston Texans

  • 2015 Salary Cap Number: $16,144,585
  • 2015 Compensation: $11.5 Million
  • 2015 Dead Money: $7,319,585
  • 2015 Salary Cap Savings: $8.825 Million

Johnson could attempt to force a trade in the offseason if his frustration with losing has gotten the best of him. Any team looking to acquire the 33 year old would need enough cap space to absorb his $11.5 million salary before reworking his contract, which expires after the 2016 season.

Percy Harvin (WR)-New York Jets

  • 2015 Salary Cap Number: $10.5 Million
  • 2015 Compensation: $10.5 Million
  • 2015 Dead Money: None
  • 2015 Salary Cap Savings: $10.5 Million

Harvin has nine games to demonstrate that he’s worth the Jets giving up their 2015 fourth round pick in the trade for him and his $10.5 million 2015 salary. The Jets have the leverage to ask Harvin to take a pay cut because there aren’t any negative cap consequences for releasing him and he’s unlikely to find another team willing to pay him anything close to $41.5 million in the remaining four years of his contract after wearing out his welcome with the Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings. If Harvin isn’t kept, the Seahawks will only get the Jets’ 2015 sixth round pick in the trade. It remains to be seen whether general manager John Idzik, who is on the hot seat, will be making the decision on Harvin.

Jake Long (OT)-St. Louis Rams

  • 2015 Salary Cap Number: $10.5 Million
  • 2015 Compensation: $9.25 Million
  • 2015 Dead Money: $2.5 Million
  • 2015 Salary Cap Savings: $8 Million

The Rams signed Long to a four-year, $34 million contract (worth a maximum of $36.5 million through salary escalators and incentives) in 2013 to anchor the offensive line. 2014 second overall pick Greg Robinson has moved from left guard to left tackle, his natural position, with Long tearing the ACL in his right knee for the second time in less than a year. Long wasn’t performing like an elite left tackle prior to re-injury. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), he had given up three sacks and 13 quarterback hurries in seven games. $4 million of Long’s $9.25 million base salary becomes fully guaranteed without an offset on the fifth day of the 2015 league year.

Vincent Jackson's Tampa days could be winding down.
Vincent Jackson's Tampa days could be winding down. (USATSI)

Vincent Jackson (WR)-Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • 2015 Salary Cap Number: $12,209,777
  • 2015 Compensation: $9,777,777
  • 2015 Dead Money: $4.864 Million
  • 2015 Salary Cap Savings: $7,345,777

Rookie Mike Evans rapidly emerging as a primary receiving threat may make the three-time Pro Bowler, who is scheduled to earn $19,555,555 over the next two years, a luxury not a necessity in Tampa. The Philadelphia Eagles reportedly tried to pry Jackson away before the trading deadline.

Dwayne Bowe (WR)-Kansas City Chiefs

  • 2015 Salary Cap Number: $14 Million
  • 2015 Compensation: $11 Million
  • 2015 Dead Money: $9 Million ($3 Million with Post-June 1 treatment)
  • 2015 Salary Cap Savings: $5 Million ($11 Million with Post-June 1 treatment)

Bowe is being paid like an elite wide receiver ($56 million/5 years) but hasn’t been producing as one. He’s on track for his third straight season under 1,000 receiving yards. Bowe’s one game suspension for violating the league’s drug policy voided his $1.5 million 2015 base salary guarantee, which makes it a little easier for the Chiefs to release him next year.

Dashon Goldson (S)-Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • 2015 Salary Cap Number: $8 Million
  • 2015 Compensation: $8 Million
  • 2015 Dead Money: $4 Million (None if traded)
  • 2015 Salary Cap Savings: $4 Million ($8 million if traded)

It appears as if any major acquisition during Mark Dominik’s tenure as general manager is expendable. According to CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason LaCanfora, the Buccaneers will try to find a new home for Goldson in 2015. Goldson’s five-year, $41.25 million contract was the richest deal signed by a defensive player during 2013 free agency. $4 million of his $7.5 million 2015 base salary is fully guaranteed without an offset. Since Goldson’s guarantee doesn’t have an offset, the Buccaneers wouldn’t recoup money and gain additional cap room if he played for another team in 2015 after getting released. The Buccaneers would be relieved of paying the guarantee with a trade.

Ahmad Brooks (OLB)-San Francisco 49ers

  • 2015 Salary Cap Number: $9,648,750
  • 2015 Compensation: $7.3 Million
  • 2015 Dead Money: $5,546,250
  • 2015 Salary Cap Savings: $4,102,500

Brooks was reportedly almost dealt to the Cleveland Browns at the trading deadline. It would be a smooth transition from Brooks to 2014 fifth round pick Aaron Lynch in 2015 because the two of them are splitting time at right outside linebacker now that Aldon Smith has returned from his nine game personal conduct and substance abuse policies suspension. Brooks ranks 46th out of 48 3-4 outside linebacker according to PFF’s ratings. His performance will likely trigger a base salary de-escalator for up to $2.5 million, which affects the cap implications of a trade or release.

Lardarius Webb (CB)-Baltimore Ravens

  • 2015 Salary Cap Number: $12 Million
  • 2015 Compensation: $8 Million
  • 2015 Dead Money: $10 Million ($4 Million with Post-June 1 treatment)
  • 2015 Salary Cap Savings: $2 Million ($8 Million with Post-June 1 treatment)

A lower back injury kept Webb from playing in three of the first four games. There’s been speculation that lingering effects from the injury are responsible for his struggles this season. According to PFF, quarterbacks are completing 71.4 percent of passes (35 completions in 49attempts) against him for a 110.7 passing rating. Webb will have plenty of opportunity to determine his own fate because of Jimmy Smith’s season ending foot injury.

Danny Amendola hasn't lived up to his big deal in New England.
Danny Amendola hasn't lived up to his big deal in New England. (USATSI)

Danny Amendola (WR)-New England Patriots

  • 2015 Salary Cap Number: $5.7 Million
  • 2015 Compensation: $4.5 Million
  • 2015 Dead Money: $3.6 Million ($1.2 Million with Post-June 1 treatment)
  • 2015 Salary Cap Savings: $2.1 Million ($4.5 Million with Post-June 1 treatment)

Amendola was given a five-year, $28.5 million deal (with $10 million in guarantees and an additional $500,000 of incentives each year for receptions) in 2013 to replace Wes Welker. A nagging groin injury, which required offseason surgery, allowed Julian Edelman to fill that role. With Edelman firmly entrenched as a starting wide receiver, Amendola is the NFL’s third most expensive backup wide receiver (by average yearly salary).

LaRon Landry (S)-Indianapolis Colts

  • 2015 Salary Cap Number: $5.75 Million
  • 2015 Compensation: $4 Million
  • 2015 Dead Money: $3.5 Million
  • 2015 Salary Cap Savings: $2.25 Million

Landry, who signed a four-year, $24 million contract in 2013, missed an additional game after serving a four game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance enhancing drugs policy because the Colts used the roster exemption they had with him. Since returning, Landry has been backing up Sergio Brown at free safety and playing sparingly (28 of 131 defensive plays-21.4 percent playtime).

Matt Schaub (QB)-Oakland Raiders

  • 2015 Salary Cap Number: $5.5 Million
  • 2015 Compensation: $5.5 Million
  • 2015 Dead Money: None
  • 2015 Salary Cap Savings: $5.5 Million

Schaub was supposed to provide stability at quarterback when he was acquired from the Houston Texans in the offseason for a 2014 sixth round pick. 2014 36th overall pick Derek Carr somewhat surprisingly won the starting quarterback job with an impressive preseason. Schaub is making a fully guaranteed $8 million in 2014, the first year of a two-year, $13.5 million deal (worth a maximum of $19.5 million through incentives) that was renegotiated as a part of the trade. Matt McGloin, who started six games for the Raiders as an undrafted rookie in 2013, could assume backup quarterback duties in 2015 at a little more than one-tenth of Schaub’s salary for $585,000.

Michael Griffin (S)-Tennessee Titans

  • 2015 Salary Cap Number: $8.1 Million
  • 2015 Compensation: $6.3 Million
  • 2015 Dead Money: $3.6 Million
  • 2015 Salary Cap Savings: $4.5 Million

There was talk during the offseason about the Titans parting ways with Griffin two years into the five-year, $35 million deal he signed in 2012 as a franchise player. The Titans reportedly shopped him prior to the trading deadline because a high priced veteran safety may not be a good fit on a team in a rebuilding mode.

Mike Williams (WR)-Buffalo Bills

  • 2015 Salary Cap Number: $6.8 Million
  • 2015 Compensation: $6.8 Million
  • 2015 Dead Money: None
  • 2015 Salary Cap Savings: $6.8 Million

Giving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a 2014 sixth round pick to acquire Williams was a curious decision considering Bills head coach Doug Marrone kicked him off the team in 2009 when he coached him at Syracuse. General Manager Doug Whaley gave Hadley Engelhard, Williams’ agent, permission to seek a trade after he was deactivated for Week 6’s contest against the New England Patriots. Williams has been a healthy scratch one other time afterward. His $5.2 million 2015 base salary is guaranteed for injury. It becomes fully guaranteed on the third day of the league year. Williams also has a $1 million roster bonus payable at the same time.

Jon Beason's 2014 season was cut short due to injury.
Jon Beason's 2014 season was cut short due to injury. (USATSI)

Jon Beason (MLB)-New York Giants

  • 2015 Salary Cap Number: $7,366,666
  • 2015 Compensation: $5.9 Million
  • 2015 Dead Money: $2,933,334 Million
  • 2015 Salary Cap Savings: $4,433,332 Million

Although Beason has a strong locker room presence, it may be time for the Giants to find someone more reliable at middle linebacker. Beason appeared in four games before having season ending toe surgery. He has only played in 24 games since 2010 because of various injuries.

Scott Wells (C)-St. Louis Rams

  • 2015 Salary Cap Number: $5 Million
  • 2015 Compensation: $4 Million
  • 2015 Dead Money: $1 Million
  • 2015 Salary Cap Savings: $4 Million

Wells took a $2 million pay cut in June to the third year of the four-year, $24 million deal (worth a maximum of $25.5 million through salary escalators) he signed in 2012 to avoid being a cap casualty. Only two centers have a lower rating than the 33 year old under PFF’s grading system.

Cortez Allen (CB)-Pittsburgh Steelers

  • 2015 Salary Cap Number: $6.981 Million
  • 2015 Compensation: $5.631 Million
  • 2015 Dead Money: $5.4 Million ($1.35 Million with Post-June 1 treatment)
  • 2015 Salary Cap Savings: $1.581 Million ($5.631 Million with Post-June 1 treatment)

The Steelers chose to sign Allen to a four-year, $24.6 million contract extension at the start of the regular season instead of addressing Ben Roethlisberger’s contract with two years remaining as they did with his rookie deal. Allen has been relegated to special teams duty since his benching eight games into the season. He is PFF’s lowest rated cornerback for 2014. Most teams are reluctant to admit they made a mistake so quickly after giving a player a new deal, which could be Allen’s saving grace. Allen has a $3 million roster bonus payable on the fifth day of the 2015 league year. It would essentially be giving him a $5.969 million windfall by releasing him because his salary is $7.4 million this year instead of the $1.431 million he was scheduled to make under his rookie contract.


Joel Corry is a former sports agent who helped found Premier Sports & Entertainment, a sports management firm that represents professional athletes and coaches. Before his tenure at Premier, Joel worked for Management Plus Enterprises, which represented Shaquille O'Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon and Ronnie Lott.

You can follow him on Twitter: @corryjoel

You can email him at jccorry@gmail.com