Monitoring the financial health of all 32 NFL franchises for the 2026 season ($301.2M Cap Limit). Tracking trapped payroll sitting on Injured Reserve, unit-level talent deficits (Offense vs. Defense), and remaining cap space for emergency injury replacements.
Pick a team, get its full report — Injured Reserve first, then Out, Doubtful, and game-time Questionables. Return timelines are ESPN estimates; treat Questionable as a monitor, not a scratch. Tap a team chip to switch.
| Rank | Franchise | Trapped Cap on IR / Out | Unit Hit (Off / Def) | Available Cap Space | Active Payroll & Dead $ | Top Injured Cap Hits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |
Green Bay Packers
|
$98,420,597
32.7% of Cap • 23 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $107,765,688
DEF $77,254,712
|
$11,250,694
3.7% Room Remaining
🟡 Moderate Room ($10M-$25M)
|
$254,995,874
Dead $: $48,012,896
|
DE Micah Parsons $19.2M (Out) RB Josh Jacobs $14.5M (Out) RB Josh Jacobs $14.5M (Out)
|
| #2 |
Atlanta Falcons
|
$98,149,591
32.6% of Cap • 21 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $47,076,525
DEF $46,653,602
|
$33,530,988
11.1% Room Remaining
🟢 High Flexibility (>$25M)
|
$224,400,377
Dead $: $46,915,283
|
G Chris Lindstrom $14.5M (Questionable) LB Divine Deablo $8.9M (Questionable) QB Michael Penix Jr. $6.2M (Out)
|
| #3 |
Carolina Panthers
|
$87,013,714
28.9% of Cap • 21 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $91,507,747
DEF $97,282,841
|
$5,732,311
1.9% Room Remaining
🟠 Tight Space ($5M-$10M)
|
$281,570,566
Dead $: $24,680,837
|
OT Taylor Moton $21.1M (Out) OT Ikem Ekwonu $17.6M (Out) G Damien Lewis $16.7M (Doubtful)
|
| #4 |
Cleveland Browns
|
$86,007,841
28.6% of Cap • 22 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $31,287,869
DEF $64,284,846
|
$14,109,197
4.7% Room Remaining
🟡 Moderate Room ($10M-$25M)
|
$205,110,645
Dead $: $119,227,505
|
DT Mason Graham $9.3M (Questionable) S Grant Delpit $9.1M (Questionable) OT Tytus Howard $6.0M (Questionable)
|
| #5 |
New York Giants
|
$77,166,195
25.6% of Cap • 20 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $79,196,298
DEF $167,789,098
|
$11,694,652
3.9% Room Remaining
🟡 Moderate Room ($10M-$25M)
|
$246,512,291
Dead $: $41,988,391
|
CB Paulson Adebo $24.2M (Injured Reserve) CB Paulson Adebo $24.2M (Questionable) LB Brian Burns $21.4M (Out)
|
| #6 |
San Francisco 49ers
|
$76,085,712
25.3% of Cap • 25 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $106,611,133
DEF $88,984,718
|
$44,149,829
14.7% Room Remaining
🟢 High Flexibility (>$25M)
|
$255,389,581
Dead $: $41,023,689
|
DE Nick Bosa $23.0M (Out) DE Nick Bosa $23.0M (Questionable) OT Trent Williams $20.0M (Questionable)
|
| #7 |
Washington Commanders
|
$70,127,423
23.3% of Cap • 25 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $55,149,492
DEF $152,598,260
|
$26,100,783
8.7% Room Remaining
🟢 High Flexibility (>$25M)
|
$275,839,045
Dead $: $26,228,538
|
DT Daron Payne $27.9M (Questionable) DT Javon Kinlaw $16.2M (Questionable) DT Javon Kinlaw $16.2M (Questionable)
|
| #8 |
Houston Texans
|
$63,562,248
21.1% of Cap • 27 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $44,221,493
DEF $46,684,768
|
$6,681,442
2.2% Room Remaining
🟠 Tight Space ($5M-$10M)
|
$231,710,816
Dead $: $71,669,810
|
WR Nico Collins $14.9M (Out) DE Jadeveon Clowney $5.3M (Out) DE Jadeveon Clowney $5.3M (Questionable)
|
| #9 |
New England Patriots
|
$54,360,348
18.0% of Cap • 24 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $36,549,701
DEF $89,616,328
|
$7,796,809
2.6% Room Remaining
🟠 Tight Space ($5M-$10M)
|
$301,019,003
Dead $: $43,473,283
|
DT Christian Barmore $17.1M (Questionable) DT Christian Barmore $17.1M (Questionable) LB Robert Spillane $12.3M (Questionable)
|
| #10 |
Los Angeles Chargers
|
$52,570,231
17.5% of Cap • 23 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $107,747,115
DEF $50,315,817
|
$29,714,081
9.9% Room Remaining
🟢 High Flexibility (>$25M)
|
$267,014,906
Dead $: $8,404,443
|
OT Rashawn Slater $23.8M (Questionable) OT Rashawn Slater $23.8M (Questionable) CB Donte Jackson $8.5M (Questionable)
|
| #11 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|
$49,812,783
16.5% of Cap • 16 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $59,436,008
DEF $23,226,061
|
$16,277,652
5.4% Room Remaining
🟡 Moderate Room ($10M-$25M)
|
$284,223,372
Dead $: $16,194,483
|
QB Baker Mayfield $34.0M (Out) LB Anthony Nelson $5.4M (Questionable) TE Cade Otton $4.1M (Questionable)
|
| #12 |
New Orleans Saints
|
$49,608,053
16.5% of Cap • 27 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $59,285,965
DEF $52,491,851
|
$6,267,166
2.1% Room Remaining
🟠 Tight Space ($5M-$10M)
|
$194,492,291
Dead $: $116,246,009
|
RB Alvin Kamara $11.4M (Questionable) DE Chase Young $9.6M (Questionable) WR Chris Olave $9.6M (Questionable)
|
| #13 |
Buffalo Bills
|
$49,281,658
16.4% of Cap • 27 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $82,882,304
DEF $107,692,222
|
$5,770,063
1.9% Room Remaining
🟠 Tight Space ($5M-$10M)
|
$248,128,646
Dead $: $47,172,892
|
QB Josh Allen $44.2M (Questionable) DT Ed Oliver $13.7M (Questionable) CB Christian Benford $7.4M (Questionable)
|
| #14 |
Dallas Cowboys
|
$47,564,465
15.8% of Cap • 22 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $23,485,192
DEF $37,463,783
|
$21,461,001
7.1% Room Remaining
🟡 Moderate Room ($10M-$25M)
|
$264,480,134
Dead $: $45,411,952
|
G Tyler Smith $10.3M (Injured Reserve) S Malik Hooker $6.6M (Out) S Jalen Thompson $4.6M (Out)
|
| #15 |
Chicago Bears
|
$47,445,899
15.8% of Cap • 23 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $88,886,006
DEF $84,013,381
|
$7,493,442
2.5% Room Remaining
🟠 Tight Space ($5M-$10M)
|
$278,379,197
Dead $: $23,503,895
|
CB Jaylon Johnson $24.5M (Questionable) DE Dayo Odeyingbo $13.5M (Questionable) CB Kyler Gordon $12.9M (Out)
|
| #16 |
Minnesota Vikings
|
$42,848,840
14.2% of Cap • 23 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $101,983,609
DEF $51,024,922
|
$6,810,145
2.3% Room Remaining
🟠 Tight Space ($5M-$10M)
|
$258,317,787
Dead $: $49,256,797
|
WR Justin Jefferson $21.2M (Questionable) LB Andrew Van Ginkel $19.2M (Questionable) OT Brian O'Neill $14.6M (Questionable)
|
| #17 |
Arizona Cardinals
|
$41,280,233
13.7% of Cap • 19 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $47,378,574
DEF $50,635,613
|
$13,994,127
4.6% Room Remaining
🟡 Moderate Room ($10M-$25M)
|
$231,901,072
Dead $: $81,614,125
|
LB Josh Sweat $16.4M (Out) RB Jeremiyah Love $9.6M (Questionable) C Hjalte Froholdt $7.9M (Questionable)
|
| #18 |
Seattle Seahawks
|
$40,936,074
13.6% of Cap • 24 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $124,193,779
DEF $33,312,914
|
$14,158,492
4.7% Room Remaining
🟡 Moderate Room ($10M-$25M)
|
$297,375,369
Dead $: $2,879,912
|
QB Sam Darnold $37.9M (Doubtful) QB Sam Darnold $37.9M (Questionable) WR Cooper Kupp $17.5M (Questionable)
|
| #19 |
Indianapolis Colts
|
$39,978,057
13.3% of Cap • 15 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $64,772,845
DEF $51,199,891
|
$21,908,829
7.3% Room Remaining
🟡 Moderate Room ($10M-$25M)
|
$261,473,864
Dead $: $19,681,329
|
CB Charvarius Ward $19.9M (Questionable) CB Charvarius Ward $19.9M (Questionable) WR Alec Pierce $9.2M (Injured Reserve)
|
| #20 |
Los Angeles Rams
|
$39,011,225
13.0% of Cap • 20 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $102,546,170
DEF $45,916,099
|
$2,322,945
0.8% Room Remaining
🔴 Cap Constrained (<$5M)
|
$298,994,627
Dead $: $12,290,258
|
OT Alaric Jackson $25.4M (Questionable) OT Alaric Jackson $25.4M (Questionable) TE Colby Parkinson $9.1M (Questionable)
|
| #21 |
New York Jets
|
$38,638,379
12.8% of Cap • 23 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $48,330,529
DEF $63,434,799
|
$13,436,439
4.5% Room Remaining
🟡 Moderate Room ($10M-$25M)
|
$194,439,550
Dead $: $115,162,439
|
LB Jamien Sherwood $11.5M (Questionable) RB Breece Hall $11.5M (Questionable) RB Breece Hall $11.5M (Questionable)
|
| #22 |
Philadelphia Eagles
|
$36,417,474
12.1% of Cap • 16 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $77,317,289
DEF $32,124,457
|
$12,689,247
4.2% Room Remaining
🟡 Moderate Room ($10M-$25M)
|
$228,104,216
Dead $: $75,303,172
|
WR DeVonta Smith $10.7M (Questionable) G Landon Dickerson $10.3M (Injured Reserve) TE Dallas Goedert $10.2M (Out)
|
| #23 |
Baltimore Ravens
|
$33,417,908
11.1% of Cap • 19 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $63,457,347
DEF $61,852,584
|
$4,461,467
1.5% Room Remaining
🔴 Cap Constrained (<$5M)
|
$290,751,385
Dead $: $18,851,123
|
DT Nnamdi Madubuike $29.9M (Questionable) LB Trey Hendrickson $15.0M (Questionable) OT Ronnie Stanley $9.9M (Out)
|
| #24 |
Detroit Lions
|
$33,047,554
11.0% of Cap • 21 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $28,914,508
DEF $70,166,555
|
$38,084,554
12.6% Room Remaining
🟢 High Flexibility (>$25M)
|
$252,339,238
Dead $: $31,992,779
|
CB D.J. Reed $17.9M (Questionable) CB D.J. Reed $17.9M (Questionable) TE Sam LaPorta $6.7M (Questionable)
|
| #25 |
Denver Broncos
|
$27,690,447
9.2% of Cap • 19 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $28,836,715
DEF $21,745,185
|
$6,845,248
2.3% Room Remaining
🟠 Tight Space ($5M-$10M)
|
$290,247,927
Dead $: $6,424,353
|
RB J.K. Dobbins $6.0M (Questionable) RB J.K. Dobbins $6.0M (Questionable) LB Jonathon Cooper $5.8M (Out)
|
| #26 |
Pittsburgh Steelers
|
$26,978,888
9.0% of Cap • 15 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $41,572,450
DEF $81,190,686
|
$13,155,737
4.4% Room Remaining
🟡 Moderate Room ($10M-$25M)
|
$289,130,401
Dead $: $18,805,421
|
CB Jalen Ramsey $19.5M (Questionable) CB Jalen Ramsey $19.5M (Questionable) RB Jaylen Warren $7.0M (Questionable)
|
| #27 |
Miami Dolphins
|
$26,400,180
8.8% of Cap • 23 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $23,476,251
DEF $46,352,845
|
$8,079,655
2.7% Room Remaining
🟠 Tight Space ($5M-$10M)
|
$117,441,811
Dead $: $182,592,412
|
DT Zach Sieler $11.0M (Questionable) LB Jordyn Brooks $6.2M (Questionable) DT Kenneth Grant $5.0M (Injured Reserve)
|
| #28 |
Cincinnati Bengals
|
$24,320,961
8.1% of Cap • 12 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $101,840,071
DEF $58,275,399
|
$11,111,041
3.7% Room Remaining
🟡 Moderate Room ($10M-$25M)
|
$294,564,752
Dead $: $11,688,726
|
QB Joe Burrow $37.6M (Questionable) WR Tee Higgins $26.5M (Questionable) WR Ja'Marr Chase $26.2M (Questionable)
|
| #29 |
Las Vegas Raiders
|
$22,355,806
7.4% of Cap • 18 on IR/Out
🟠 Elevated IR Cap (3.5%-8%)
|
OFF $38,335,366
DEF $30,723,804
|
$8,372,246
2.8% Room Remaining
🟠 Tight Space ($5M-$10M)
|
$248,084,722
Dead $: $57,975,117
|
DE Kwity Paye $9.4M (Questionable) RB Ashton Jeanty $8.2M (Questionable) RB Ashton Jeanty $8.2M (Questionable)
|
| #30 |
Jacksonville Jaguars
|
$20,710,919
6.9% of Cap • 18 on IR/Out
🟠 Elevated IR Cap (3.5%-8%)
|
OFF $48,162,731
DEF $27,348,874
|
$5,334,295
1.8% Room Remaining
🟠 Tight Space ($5M-$10M)
|
$244,130,911
Dead $: $60,683,262
|
LB Foyesade Oluokun $17.1M (Questionable) G Patrick Mekari $7.4M (Injured Reserve) WR Jakobi Meyers $6.2M (Questionable)
|
| #31 |
Kansas City Chiefs
|
$17,574,485
5.8% of Cap • 16 on IR/Out
🟠 Elevated IR Cap (3.5%-8%)
|
OFF $66,734,674
DEF $125,888,693
|
$3,286,870
1.1% Room Remaining
🔴 Cap Constrained (<$5M)
|
$282,833,761
Dead $: $15,449,452
|
DT Chris Jones $44.9M (Questionable) DT Chris Jones $44.9M (Questionable) QB Patrick Mahomes $34.7M (Questionable)
|
| #32 |
Tennessee Titans
|
$17,019,618
5.7% of Cap • 16 on IR/Out
🟠 Elevated IR Cap (3.5%-8%)
|
OFF $65,315,728
DEF $23,137,582
|
$31,647,648
10.5% Room Remaining
🟢 High Flexibility (>$25M)
|
$275,948,467
Dead $: $35,342,268
|
WR Wan'Dale Robinson $11.3M (Questionable) WR Carnell Tate $9.3M (Questionable) RB Tony Pollard $9.2M (Questionable)
|