NFL Trade Rumors
Part of the annual process for every team is reviewing the roster for potential salary cuts. Like any layoffs, it tends to be cold and harsh. Some teams have to slash payroll to get out from under past contract mistakes. But it’s not just the obvious deals. Teams will rarely pass up the opportunity to save a buck if they don’t think the production matches the salary, even if they have plenty of cap space and even if the player still has gas in the tank.
It’s a tough time for a lot of players. However, it’s also an opportunity. One team’s trash can be another team’s treasure, and every year there are several players who are cut who go on to have successful seasons.
Here’s the first look at all 32 teams and which players could be at risk of being caught up as cap casualties next year:
The heavy cutting for the 49ers was done this past offseason as they revamped their roster, shedding aging veterans like WR Deebo Samuel and DT Javon Hargrave and adding nearly a dozen rookies to the roster. As a result, there aren’t many more high-priced veterans to let go in 2026, as the guys San Francisco kept got guaranteed money on new deals.
The exception might be Huff. The 49ers inherited the rest of the three-year, $51 million deal he signed with the Eagles in 2024, and Huff is owed $17.1 million in the last year of that deal next season. He’s been a nice find as a trade acquisition with four sacks in nine games and ranking 13th in ESPN’s pass rush win rate among edge rushers. Still, $17.1 million is a lot of savings. A win-win for both parties might be a new deal, lowering Huff’s cap hit and giving him some more long-term security.
The Bears used a first-round pick on TE Colston Loveland this past April and he’s been platooning with Kmet while he gets used to the league. Going forward, the Bears probably expect Loveland to be top dog over Kmet, and that’s a lot of money for a No. 2 tight end.
Swift may have played his way into the team’s 2026 plans after they didn’t have a choice but to inherit him for this year given his guaranteed salary. He’s currently averaging a career-high 70 yards rushing per game and has 134 carries for 634 yards and four touchdowns in nine games. Swift is also running as hard as he has in his career after a criticism early on was that he would go down on contact too easily. While $7.5 million is notable savings, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Bears add a more physical complement alongside Swift, not replace him outright.
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