The league’s version of let’s make a deal
The salary cap has been set at $143.28 million US for the 2015 regular season and the NFL’s shopping spree will begin when free agency opens Tuesday.
Here are the teams with the most and least amount of cap space, according to the website overthecap.com.
MOST CAP SPACE
Jacksonville Jaguars: Estimated $68 million US. Coming off a 3-13 season, the Jaguars have plenty of needs to fill except at quarterback, after drafting Blake Bortles in the first round last year. Oakland Raiders: Estimated $64 million US. Another 3-13 team. New coach Jack Del Rio does have promising quarterback Derek Carr and linebacker Khalil Mack. The Raiders finished the 2014 season last in the league in total offence and rushing. They were 31st in scoring at 15.8 points a game. Running back Maurice Jones-Drew announced his retirement Thursday and defensive end LaMarr Woodley was released, giving Oakland even more room to spend. New York Jets: Estimated $53 million US. With several holes to fill, new general manager Mike Maccagnan will have lots of opportunity to improve the Jets, who have a new coach in Todd Bowles. The Jets were criticized for not spending enough last season under former GM John Idzik, when they finished 4-12. Cleveland Browns: Estimated $49 million US. Despite taking Johnny Manziel in the first round last year, the Browns’ quarterback situation is still muddled with Manziel in rehab. The Browns have had 22 different starting quarterbacks since 1999. Tennessee Titans: Estimated $41 million US. Tennessee, which tied for the worst record in the league last season at 2-14, has had only one winning season since last making the playoffs in 2008.
LEAST CAP SPACE
New Orleans Saints: General manager Mickey Loomis has been working to bring the payroll down by more than $20 million US. Veteran running back Pierre Thomas was released on Wednesday. New England Patriots: The Super Bowl champions told defensive tackle Vince Wilfork and cornerback Darrelle Revis that the team would not be picking up their options for 2015, making them eligible for free agency. Revis had a $20-million US price tag on the option, while Wilfork would have got $14 million US over the next two seasons if it had been picked up. Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs saved about $3 million US by parting with veteran linebacker Joe Mays on Thursday. They have made modest savings by also releasing wide receivers Donnie Avery and A.J. Jenkins and tight end Anthony Fasano. Kansas City still could restructure the massive contract of wide receiver Dwayne Bowe after doing so with linebacker Tamba Hali.