Commanders cap space 2023

As NFL teams begin to analyze what’s happened midway through the 2022 season and start to think about how they will get themselves straightened out for 2023, the attention for poorly performing teams gets turned to the salary cap.

It’s a telling piece of information about how NFL front offices run their organizations. The ones that are struggling and have a poor cap outlook usually signify two things: 1) They thought they would be better than they currently are, and 2) they will be forced to drag themselves out of a hole. 

Here are three compelling examples from this season (all cap numbers courtesy of Spotrac):

Jacksonville Jaguars (3-6)

2022 Cap: +$1.9 million (27th in NFL)

Projected 2023 Cap: -$23.237,702 (30th)

After starting the season 2-1, the Jaguars have lost five of their last six games and are set to have the third-least amount of cap room next year. So much of their cap obligations for next year come from contracts signed in 2021 and cannot get out for another year or two. Right now, they are set to take on cap hits of $10 million or more for 11 players.

Carolina Panthers (2-7)

2022 Cap: +$9,294,323 (4th)

Projected 2023 Cap: -$3,442,124 (24th)

Like the spiraling Jaguars, the Panthers have lost five of their last six games and will likely end up with a top-five pick in the NFL draft. They are projected to be more than $3 million over the 2023 cap, the ninth-least amount of space in the league. More than $28 million of their cap obligations in 2023 come from dead-money hits, which resulted from trades they made prior to last week’s deadline. They have a large number of needs and a couple of expensive young players they need to re-sign in the next few years in pass rusher Brian Burns and defensive tackle Derrick Brown.

New Orleans Saints (3-6)

2022 Cap: +$1,755,184 (28th)

Projected 2023 Cap: -$62,680,802 (32nd)

New Orleans is just a game ahead of the Panthers in the NFC South after losing Monday night to the Ravens, the team’s third defeat in the last four games. The Saints clearly underestimated the effect of losing Sean Payton in the offseason as well as Drew Brees two years ago. They made trades in the offseason to acquire players primarily to fill short-term needs. With a 3-6 record, the Saints likely are headed for a top-10 pick (which the Eagles hold), and they have the least amount of available cap room, on paper, in 2023. This represents a fairly significant number of organizational mistakes to have a terrible record and be in this kind of cap situation.

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If there is one area where you can commend the Washington Commanders, it is their management of the salary cap. This offseason, the Commanders issued only $22 million in guaranteed money to free agents — the lowest total in the NFL.

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Now, we can debate whether Washington is just being cheap or choosing to invest wisely in its own free agents. The team is negotiating with star wide receiver Terry McLaurin on a contract extension. While the two sides were far apart two weeks ago, there is optimism a deal will get done.

Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus recently conducted a three-year cap analysis for all 32 NFL teams from 2022-24. Spielberger used five criteria to determine his rankings: rookie-contract players, projected effective cap space (2022-24), total prorated money (including money that will void), top 51 veteran valuation and 2023 free agent projections.

According to Spielberger, the Commanders rank No. 2, behind only the Cincinnati Bengals.

Washington’s annual offseason of distractions is well underway, and wide receiver Terry McLaurin and interior defender Daron Payne‘s contract holdouts are at the top of the list. Most importantly, this means McLaurin hasn’t been able to develop chemistry with new quarterback Carson Wentz as he awaits a well-deserved extension.

All of that said, Washington fares very well in our rankings, perhaps surprisingly well. The Commanders have invested a lot of money and draft capital at premium positions — edge defender, wide receiver, offensive tackle, cornerback, etc. — and they still have a lot of resources available, as the Commanders gave out the fewest total guarantees of any team in the NFL in free agency this offseason at just over $22 million.

The off-ball linebacker position group remains a somewhat glaring weakness outside of 2021 first-round pick Jamin Davis — who is expected to greatly improve on his rookie season — but there really aren’t many other holes to point to on this roster — if Wentz plays well.

The Commanders will have some big decisions to make in the next three years. Quarterback Carson Wentz is under contract for three more seasons, but the team can cut bait after the 2022 season if he struggles. Considering quarterback salaries across the league, Washington certainly hopes Wentz returns to his former glory.

In addition to McLaurin, defensive tackle Daron Payne’s contract is up after the season. The Commanders seemingly chose Jonathan Allen over Payne last year by extending Allen. The team loves Payne, but this is all about asset allocation. Starting in 2023, Washington will face difficult decisions on defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young. Both players will likely be costly, and it could be an uphill battle to retain both pass-rushers.

The Commanders are in a position to make some noise if two things happen in 2022: Wentz plays well, and the defense improves. There is optimism on defense, but Washington’s lack of movement at the linebacker position this offseason is curious.

Regardless, the Commanders should be able to retain most of their key players over the next few years, thanks to good cap management in recent years.

What NFL team will have the most cap space in 2023?

Rex Ryan lost a Patriots-Jets bet and paid up in hilarious fashion. OverTheCap's 2023 projections have the Patriots with the third-most cap space in the league at $52.2 million. The Chicago Bears are No. 1 with an astounding $110.8 million of projected room under the cap.

What is the NHL salary cap for 2023?

The salary cap this season is $82.5 million, $1 million more than the previous three seasons. "We believe that there is a good probability that the escrow will be paid off this season," Commissioner Bettman said.

What will be the NFL salary cap in 2023?

NFL Team Salary Cap Tracker.

Who will have the most cap space next year?

Browns, Raiders Lead NFL Salary Cap Space for All 32 Teams Ahead of Season Openers. The Cleveland Browns' $37.9 million in cap space stands as the most in the NFL heading into the 2022 season.