Largest 2025 Cap Hits: Offense

Last offseason brought about a record-breaking jump in the salary cap. This year, the ceiling rose to $279.2MM, another notable spike. The market at a number of positions will benefit from the ongoing surge in spending power available to teams, with quarterbacks obviously the largest standout in that respect.

In 2024, a pair of signal-callers surpassed the $50MM mark in terms of cap charges for the season. That will not be the case this time around, but to little surprise quarterbacks once again lead the way in terms of representing the largest share of many teams’ financial commitments for 2025. Positions such as receiver and offensive tackle have also generally not reached the same peak in terms of cap commitments as last year.

Leading up to training camp, are the NFL’s top 25 cap charges for offensive players:

1. Dak Prescott, QB (Cowboys): $50.52MM
2. Matthew Stafford, QB (Rams): $47.47MM
3. Joe Burrow, QB (Bengals): $46MM
4. Lamar Jackson, QB (Ravens): $43.5MM
5. Kyler Murray, QB (Cardinals): $43.33MM
6. Kirk Cousins, QB (Falcons): $40MM
7. Geno Smith, QB (Raiders): $40MM
8. Tua Tagovailoa, QB (Dolphins): $39.18MM
9. Justin Herbert, QB (Chargers): $37.35MM
10. Josh Allen, QB (Bills): $36.34MM
11. Deshaun Watson, QB (Browns): $35.97MM
12. Jared Goff, QB (Lions): $32.6MM
13. Taylor Moton, RT (Panthers): $31.35MM
14. Jordan Love, QB (Packers): $29.69MM
15. Patrick Mahomes, QB (Chiefs): $28.06MM
16. Calvin Ridley, WR (Titans): $28MM
17. Tyreek Hill, WR (Dolphins): $27.7MM
18. Jawaan Taylor, RT (Chiefs): $27.39MM
19. Baker Mayfield, QB (Buccaneers): $26.48MM
20. Terry McLaurin, WR (Commanders): $25.5MM
21. Mike Evans, WR (Buccaneers): $25.36MM
22. D.J. Moore, WR (Bears): $24.9MM
23. Tee Higgins, WR (Bengals): $24.06MM
24. Ja’Marr Chase, WR (Bengals): $23.57MM
25. Trey Smith, RG (Chiefs): $23.4MM

Prescott’s last-minute 2024 Cowboys extension made him the first player in NFL history to carry an AAV of $60MM. That pact will have lasting impacts well beyond the coming campaign, as the team looks to also fit in the big-ticket extension CeeDee Lamb inked last summer and the one Micah Parsons is in position to sign at some point before Week 1.

Once again, Stafford and the Rams entered the spring with plenty of uncertainty. Retirement was a consideration quickly done away with in the case of the 37-year-old, but it remained to be seen if he would remain in Los Angeles. Trade offers came in from numerous suitors, and the chance existed for Stafford to land a more lucrative deal elsewhere. In the end, though, team and player reached agreement on another reworked pact. Stafford is now in line to receive $84MM over the next two years, including guaranteed money in 2026. A bit of continuity will thus be in place under center for the Rams.

2020 draft classmates Burrow, Tagovailoa and Herbert are understandable top-10 players on this list given their respective deals. All three are on the books for years to come as they look to unseat the Chiefs atop the AFC. Burrow spoke about restructuring his pact...