The broadcast walks right past it: every week, hundreds of millions in payroll sits on Injured Reserve while teams dress a bench and call it a plan. I watch the depth chart and the checkbook — which franchises are wearing a salary-cap body cast, which ones have room to sign someone off your street, and which players are one snap from a bonus. Cold numbers, warm delivery. wink
| Rank | Franchise | Trapped Cap on IR / Out | Unit Hit (Off / Def) | Available Cap Space | Active Payroll & Dead $ | Top Injured Cap Hits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |
Carolina Panthers
|
$60,938,607
20.2% of Cap • 8 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $55,240,414
DEF $48,706,166
|
$8,631,754
2.9% Room Remaining
🟠Tight Space ($5M-$10M)
|
$279,011,444
Dead $: $24,340,516
|
OT Taylor Moton $21.1M (Out) DT Tershawn Wharton $18.6M (Out) OT Ikem Ekwonu $17.6M (Out)
|
| #2 |
Green Bay Packers
|
$58,461,075
19.4% of Cap • 13 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $41,388,224
DEF $31,747,015
|
$27,941,342
9.3% Room Remaining
🟢 High Flexibility (>$25M)
|
$238,506,909
Dead $: $47,811,213
|
DE Micah Parsons $19.2M (Out) RB Josh Jacobs $14.5M (Out) RB Josh Jacobs $14.5M (Out)
|
| #3 |
Arizona Cardinals
|
$32,572,365
10.8% of Cap • 11 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $28,153,721
DEF $23,920,522
|
$30,471,003
10.1% Room Remaining
🟢 High Flexibility (>$25M)
|
$216,028,379
Dead $: $81,009,942
|
LB Josh Sweat $16.4M (Out) RB Jeremiyah Love $9.6M (Questionable) RB James Conner $4.8M (Injured Reserve)
|
| #4 |
Chicago Bears
|
$29,739,608
9.9% of Cap • 15 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $10,154,535
DEF $60,495,415
|
$4,043,952
1.3% Room Remaining
🔴 Cap Constrained (<$5M)
|
$283,387,964
Dead $: $21,944,618
|
CB Jaylon Johnson $24.5M (Questionable) CB Kyler Gordon $12.9M (Out) S Coby Bryant $6.0M (Injured Reserve)
|
| #5 |
Houston Texans
|
$23,997,611
8.0% of Cap • 15 on IR/Out
🔴 Critical Trapped Cap (≥8%)
|
OFF $17,515,206
DEF $20,291,873
|
$22,642,449
7.5% Room Remaining
🟡 Moderate Room ($10M-$25M)
|
$215,995,290
Dead $: $71,424,329
|
DE Jadeveon Clowney $5.3M (Questionable) OT Braden Smith $5.0M (Injured Reserve) LB E.J. Speed $4.0M (Out)
|
| #6 |
Washington Commanders
|
$22,723,319
7.5% of Cap • 12 on IR/Out
🟠Elevated IR Cap (3.5%-8%)
|
OFF $31,910,305
DEF $34,254,460
|
$39,409,377
13.1% Room Remaining
🟢 High Flexibility (>$25M)
|
$263,841,699
Dead $: $24,917,290
|
OT Laremy Tunsil $11.9M (Injured Reserve) LB K'Lavon Chaisson $11.5M (Questionable) LB Odafe Oweh $9.2M (Questionable)
|
| #7 |
San Francisco 49ers
|
$21,611,658
7.2% of Cap • 11 on IR/Out
🟠Elevated IR Cap (3.5%-8%)
|
OFF $53,092,619
DEF $42,882,245
|
$64,745,818
21.5% Room Remaining
🟢 High Flexibility (>$25M)
|
$235,061,442
Dead $: $40,755,839
|
DE Nick Bosa $23.0M (Questionable) TE George Kittle $14.1M (Questionable) RB Christian McCaffrey $10.9M (Questionable)
|
| #8 |
Detroit Lions
|
$20,892,612
6.9% of Cap • 9 on IR/Out
🟠Elevated IR Cap (3.5%-8%)
|
OFF $19,627,681
DEF $38,132,264
|
$10,326,807
3.4% Room Remaining
🟡 Moderate Room ($10M-$25M)
|
$275,904,428
Dead $: $36,185,336
|
CB D.J. Reed $17.9M (Questionable) TE Sam LaPorta $6.7M (Questionable) S Brian Branch $6.5M (Out)
|
| #9 |
New Orleans Saints
|
$19,951,237
6.6% of Cap • 13 on IR/Out
🟠Elevated IR Cap (3.5%-8%)
|
OFF $29,621,591
DEF $20,437,280
|
$11,216,550
3.7% Room Remaining
🟡 Moderate Room ($10M-$25M)
|
$190,478,235
Dead $: $115,310,681
|
RB Alvin Kamara $11.4M (Questionable) WR Jordyn Tyson $5.9M (Injured Reserve) LB Pete Werner $3.9M (Questionable)
|
| #10 |
Los Angeles Chargers
|
$15,309,283
5.1% of Cap • 9 on IR/Out
🟠Elevated IR Cap (3.5%-8%)
|
OFF $41,036,217
DEF $3,072,641
|
$40,542,131
13.5% Room Remaining
🟢 High Flexibility (>$25M)
|
$256,627,030
Dead $: $7,964,269
|
OT Rashawn Slater $23.8M (Questionable) PK Cameron Dicker $5.7M (Questionable) WR Quentin Johnston $4.5M (Questionable)
|
| #11 |
Cleveland Browns
|
$13,421,921
4.5% of Cap • 12 on IR/Out
🟠Elevated IR Cap (3.5%-8%)
|
OFF $9,885,232
DEF $13,987,904
|
$25,658,513
8.5% Room Remaining
🟢 High Flexibility (>$25M)
|
$193,963,289
Dead $: $118,825,545
|
DE Alex Wright $4.0M (Injured Reserve) LB Carson Schwesinger $2.7M (Questionable) RB Quinshon Judkins $2.6M (Questionable)
|
| #12 |
Miami Dolphins
|
$13,119,831
4.4% of Cap • 10 on IR/Out
🟠Elevated IR Cap (3.5%-8%)
|
OFF $7,839,631
DEF $37,343,404
|
$18,968,641
6.3% Room Remaining
🟡 Moderate Room ($10M-$25M)
|
$107,547,269
Dead $: $181,597,968
|
DT Zach Sieler $11.4M (Questionable) LB Jordyn Brooks $6.2M (Questionable) DT Kenneth Grant $5.0M (Injured Reserve)
|
| #13 |
Seattle Seahawks
|
$12,998,116
4.3% of Cap • 14 on IR/Out
🟠Elevated IR Cap (3.5%-8%)
|
OFF $9,506,760
DEF $11,881,285
|
$27,701,566
9.2% Room Remaining
🟢 High Flexibility (>$25M)
|
$284,380,914
Dead $: $2,331,293
|
S Nick Emmanwori $2.6M (Questionable) WR Jake Bobo $2.3M (Injured Reserve) RB Zach Charbonnet $2.2M (Out)
|
| #14 |
Philadelphia Eagles
|
$11,669,752
3.9% of Cap • 7 on IR/Out
🟠Elevated IR Cap (3.5%-8%)
|
OFF $24,148,972
DEF $16,105,404
|
$22,387,005
7.4% Room Remaining
🟡 Moderate Room ($10M-$25M)
|
$218,458,624
Dead $: $75,251,006
|
WR DeVonta Smith $10.7M (Questionable) LB Jonathan Greenard $6.3M (Out) WR Makai Lemon $3.8M (Questionable)
|
| #15 |
Jacksonville Jaguars
|
$11,135,760
3.7% of Cap • 8 on IR/Out
🟠Elevated IR Cap (3.5%-8%)
|
OFF $27,416,718
DEF $2,283,995
|
$14,225,628
4.7% Room Remaining
🟡 Moderate Room ($10M-$25M)
|
$235,520,550
Dead $: $60,402,290
|
G Patrick Mekari $7.4M (Injured Reserve) WR Jakobi Meyers $6.2M (Questionable) WR Brian Thomas Jr. $4.0M (Questionable)
|
| #16 |
Denver Broncos
|
$10,982,022
3.6% of Cap • 8 on IR/Out
🟠Elevated IR Cap (3.5%-8%)
|
OFF $8,194,334
DEF $13,679,141
|
$35,968,208
11.9% Room Remaining
🟢 High Flexibility (>$25M)
|
$261,564,867
Dead $: $5,984,453
|
LB Jonathon Cooper $5.8M (Out) CB Riley Moss $3.9M (Questionable) C Luke Wattenberg $3.6M (Questionable)
|
| #17 |
New York Giants
|
$10,780,000
3.6% of Cap • 6 on IR/Out
🟠Elevated IR Cap (3.5%-8%)
|
OFF $20,969,490
DEF $47,337,704
|
$10,392,701
3.5% Room Remaining
🟡 Moderate Room ($10M-$25M)
|
$261,190,088
Dead $: $28,612,545
|
CB Paulson Adebo $24.2M (Questionable) CB Greg Newsome II $8.0M (Questionable) WR Malik Nabers $8.0M (Questionable)
|
| #18 |
Atlanta Falcons
|
$10,455,257
3.5% of Cap • 9 on IR/Out
🟠Elevated IR Cap (3.5%-8%)
|
OFF $7,598,219
DEF $14,801,795
|
$34,986,445
11.6% Room Remaining
🟢 High Flexibility (>$25M)
|
$223,272,075
Dead $: $46,588,128
|
QB Michael Penix Jr. $6.2M (Questionable) LB Jalon Walker $4.7M (Injured Reserve) DT Da'Shawn Hand $3.0M (Questionable)
|
| #19 |
Pittsburgh Steelers
|
$9,535,881
3.2% of Cap • 5 on IR/Out
🟡 Minor Trapped Cap (<3.5%)
|
OFF $11,521,302
DEF $36,673,381
|
$23,773,245
7.9% Room Remaining
🟡 Moderate Room ($10M-$25M)
|
$278,541,504
Dead $: $18,776,810
|
CB Jalen Ramsey $19.5M (Questionable) S DeShon Elliott $6.1M (Injured Reserve) S Jaquan Brisker $5.5M (Questionable)
|
| #20 |
New England Patriots
|
$8,403,558
2.8% of Cap • 8 on IR/Out
🟡 Minor Trapped Cap (<3.5%)
|
OFF $4,059,640
DEF $10,918,987
|
$30,971,194
10.3% Room Remaining
🟢 High Flexibility (>$25M)
|
$278,531,074
Dead $: $42,786,827
|
CB Christian Gonzalez $4.8M (Questionable) S Brenden Schooler $3.0M (Out) RB TreVeyon Henderson $2.5M (Questionable)
|
| #21 |
Tennessee Titans
|
$8,332,679
2.8% of Cap • 9 on IR/Out
🟡 Minor Trapped Cap (<3.5%)
|
OFF $26,185,610
DEF $12,460,948
|
$43,854,707
14.6% Room Remaining
🟢 High Flexibility (>$25M)
|
$264,051,549
Dead $: $35,032,127
|
WR Wan'Dale Robinson $11.3M (Questionable) WR Carnell Tate $9.3M (Questionable) QB Mitchell Trubisky $4.2M (Questionable)
|
| #22 |
Los Angeles Rams
|
$6,207,176
2.1% of Cap • 9 on IR/Out
🟡 Minor Trapped Cap (<3.5%)
|
OFF $38,149,272
DEF $11,750,000
|
$10,000,998
3.3% Room Remaining
🟡 Moderate Room ($10M-$25M)
|
$291,446,157
Dead $: $12,160,675
|
OT Alaric Jackson $25.4M (Questionable) DE Myles Garrett $8.4M (Questionable) WR Puka Nacua $5.8M (Questionable)
|
| #23 |
Las Vegas Raiders
|
$6,003,467
2.0% of Cap • 8 on IR/Out
🟡 Minor Trapped Cap (<3.5%)
|
OFF $19,707,335
DEF $3,812,410
|
$16,098,679
5.3% Room Remaining
🟡 Moderate Room ($10M-$25M)
|
$240,676,066
Dead $: $57,657,340
|
RB Ashton Jeanty $8.2M (Questionable) RB Ashton Jeanty $8.2M (Questionable) WR Dont'e Thornton Jr. $1.3M (Injured Reserve)
|
| #24 |
New York Jets
|
$5,895,846
2.0% of Cap • 9 on IR/Out
🟡 Minor Trapped Cap (<3.5%)
|
OFF $19,586,962
DEF $15,943,584
|
$25,064,489
8.3% Room Remaining
🟢 High Flexibility (>$25M)
|
$183,588,237
Dead $: $114,385,702
|
RB Breece Hall $11.5M (Questionable) DE Joseph Ossai $5.5M (Questionable) TE Kenyon Sadiq $4.1M (Questionable)
|
| #25 |
Baltimore Ravens
|
$5,734,155
1.9% of Cap • 5 on IR/Out
🟡 Minor Trapped Cap (<3.5%)
|
OFF $24,883,496
DEF $36,335,639
|
$15,688,167
5.2% Room Remaining
🟡 Moderate Room ($10M-$25M)
|
$279,714,701
Dead $: $18,661,107
|
DT Nnamdi Madubuike $29.9M (Questionable) WR Zay Flowers $7.9M (Questionable) WR Zay Flowers $7.9M (Questionable)
|
| #26 |
Kansas City Chiefs
|
$5,544,782
1.8% of Cap • 7 on IR/Out
🟡 Minor Trapped Cap (<3.5%)
|
OFF $76,842,120
DEF $63,209,419
|
$13,845,213
4.6% Room Remaining
🟡 Moderate Room ($10M-$25M)
|
$272,255,834
Dead $: $15,469,036
|
DT Chris Jones $44.9M (Questionable) QB Patrick Mahomes $34.7M (Questionable) G Trey Smith $24.5M (Questionable)
|
| #27 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|
$5,194,427
1.7% of Cap • 6 on IR/Out
🟡 Minor Trapped Cap (<3.5%)
|
OFF $18,981,496
DEF $6,407,510
|
$20,260,317
6.7% Room Remaining
🟡 Moderate Room ($10M-$25M)
|
$280,896,540
Dead $: $15,538,650
|
TE Cade Otton $4.1M (Questionable) WR Emeka Egbuka $4.1M (Questionable) RB Sean Tucker $3.5M (Questionable)
|
| #28 |
Minnesota Vikings
|
$4,930,518
1.6% of Cap • 8 on IR/Out
🟡 Minor Trapped Cap (<3.5%)
|
OFF $15,295,056
DEF $6,078,739
|
$20,524,936
6.8% Room Remaining
🟡 Moderate Room ($10M-$25M)
|
$244,950,773
Dead $: $48,909,020
|
QB J.J. McCarthy $6.0M (Questionable) QB J.J. McCarthy $6.0M (Questionable) OT Caleb Tiernan $1.2M (Questionable)
|
| #29 |
Dallas Cowboys
|
$4,621,280
1.5% of Cap • 5 on IR/Out
🟡 Minor Trapped Cap (<3.5%)
|
OFF $6,786,280
DEF $9,651,966
|
$15,893,584
5.3% Room Remaining
🟡 Moderate Room ($10M-$25M)
|
$270,084,384
Dead $: $45,375,119
|
OT Tyler Guyton $3.6M (Questionable) DT Jonathan Bullard $1.9M (Questionable) DT Jonathan Bullard $1.9M (Questionable)
|
| #30 |
Indianapolis Colts
|
$4,035,981
1.3% of Cap • 5 on IR/Out
🟡 Minor Trapped Cap (<3.5%)
|
OFF $23,516,170
DEF $22,394,475
|
$29,241,956
9.7% Room Remaining
🟢 High Flexibility (>$25M)
|
$254,672,440
Dead $: $19,149,626
|
CB Charvarius Ward $19.9M (Questionable) WR Alec Pierce $9.2M (Questionable) TE Tyler Warren $4.8M (Questionable)
|
| #31 |
Buffalo Bills
|
$1,743,369
0.6% of Cap • 3 on IR/Out
🟡 Minor Trapped Cap (<3.5%)
|
OFF $24,269,902
DEF $13,546,336
|
$10,912,266
3.6% Room Remaining
🟡 Moderate Room ($10M-$25M)
|
$243,157,137
Dead $: $47,002,198
|
DE Michael Hoecht $7.0M (Questionable) WR Khalil Shakir $6.8M (Questionable) LB Terrel Bernard $5.4M (Questionable)
|
| #32 |
Cincinnati Bengals
|
$1,154,455
0.4% of Cap • 2 on IR/Out
🟡 Minor Trapped Cap (<3.5%)
|
OFF $53,275,337
DEF $20,970,412
|
$18,660,318
6.2% Room Remaining
🟡 Moderate Room ($10M-$25M)
|
$287,015,475
Dead $: $11,688,726
|
WR Tee Higgins $26.5M (Questionable) WR Ja'Marr Chase $26.2M (Questionable) S Bryan Cook $10.7M (Questionable)
|