According to Spotrac, the Philadelphia Eagles take the number one spot — in dead cap money. Assuming a league-wide salary cap of $182.5 million, the team currently totals $49,363,201 in debt entering the 2021 season.
2021 Dead Cap Money
- Philadelphia Eagles – $49,363,201
- Carolina Panthers – $42,658,973
- Detroit Lions – $42,641,228
- Los Angeles Rams – $39,292,098
- New Orleans Saints – $33,935,673
- Pittsburgh Steelers – $24,314,630
- New York Jets – $22,029,995
- Atlanta Falcons – $21,848,332
- Tennessee Titans – $20,397,674
- Chicago Bears – $20,380,991
- Miami Dolphins – $17,377,575
- Las Vegas Raiders – $16,171,125
- Washington Football Team – $15,617,922
- San Francisco 49ers – $14,696,098
- Baltimore Ravens – $12,765,201
- Dallas Cowboys – $10,778,018
- New York Giants – $10,446,507
- Kansas City Chiefs – $10,158,527
- Minnesota Vikings – $9,993,066
- Cincinnati Bengals – $9,652,161
- Denver Broncos – $8,108,962
- New England Patriots – $7,689,294
- Houston Texans – $7,230,354
- Jacksonville Jaguars – $6,999,846
- Arizona Cardinals – $6,328,601
- Seattle Seahawks – $6,308,598
- Buffalo Bills – $5,181,044
- Green Bay Packers – $4,103,141
- Cleveland Browns – $2,675,603
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – $2,199,102
- Los Angeles Chargers – $2,058,008
- Indianapolis Colts – $408,316
WHAT MAKES UP PHILADELPHIA’S DEAD CAP MONEY
The majority of Philadelphia’s dead cap money is a result of quarterback Carson Wentz’s departure. As a No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Wentz played four successful seasons, contending against the most elite quarterbacks in the league.
After a series of injuries, Wentz returned for 2020 and played the worst season to date. The 28-year-old completed 12 games before he was benched for rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts. He finished the year with a 57.4% completion on 2,620 passing yards and 21 total touchdowns. Wentz had a record-high 15 interceptions and 50 sacks.
Controversy followed as the Eagles were not prepared to name their starting quarterback for the upcoming season. In March, Wentz was officially traded to the Indianapolis Colts. As a result, Philadelphia incurred the highest debt in NFL history — $33,820,608.
Although a much smaller amount, the Eagles next three most expensive debts were the result of three releases earlier this offseason. Wide receivers DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery resulted in a dead cap hit of $5,802,000 and $5,590,735, respectively, and defensive tackle Malik Jackson leaves the Eagles with a debt of $3,611,000.
DeSean Jackson had two stints with the Eagles, playing in only eight games during his second stretch. He has since signed with the Los Angeles Rams. Also stricken by injury, Alshon Jeffery had the lowest number of receiving yards (115) and touchdowns (one) last season. He remains a free agent. Malik Jackson will play for the Cleveland Browns in 2021. His time with the Eagles was brief. Jackson suffered a season-ending injury in 2019 after one game, returning for less than a full season in 2020.
The remainder of Philadelphia’s dead cap money is minimal, so to speak.
Philadelphia’s 2021 Dead Cap Money
- Carson Wentz – $33,820,608
- DeSean Jackson – $5,802,000
- Alshon Jeffery – $5,590,735
- Malik Jackson – $3,611,000
- Shareef Miller – $243,264
- Prince Tega Wanogho – $112,257
- Casey Toohill – $69,024
- Elijah Holyfield – $21,117
- Kyle Lauletta – $13,529
- Luke Juriga – $10,666
- Grayland Arnold – $10,000
- Michael Jacquet – $10,000
- Raequan Williams – $10,000
- Elijah Riley – $6,667
- Noah Togiai – $6,667
- Prince Smith – $6,000
- Manasseh Bailey – $5,000
- Adrian Killins – $5,000
- Michael Warren – $5,000
- Julian Good-Jones – $4,667
