Dead cap hits are typically just throwaway parts of a contract for NFL fans as when will your favorite team decide to move on from a superstar? However, it is becoming more and more common and some guys like Russell Wilson have it happen twice. But what are the biggest dead cap hits that a team had to ensue? We rank the top five in NFL history.
#5: Russell Wilson ($26 Million)
Russell Wilson had a $26 million dead cap hit for the Seattle Seahawks when he was traded before the 2022 season to the Denver Broncos. The team was ready to move on and did not want to pay him a massive contract extension and seemingly made the correct decision if what happened over the last two seasons in Denver was any indication.
The Seahawks got a lot of draft capital in return for the trade so in an unlikely way, it seems that this has been a great decision for the franchise.
#4: Carson Wentz ($33.8 Million)
Carson Wentz was the second pick in the NFL draft and almost won the NFL MVP in the season where the Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl. However, things became a bit wonky as they had to figure out the future for the quarterback position as rumors began swirling about the locker room’s feeling about the star quarterback.
20 months after inking him to a $128 million contract, the Philadelphia Eagles decided to cut their losses and traded him to the Indianapolis Colts. In doing so, the team also paid the then-highest dead cap hit in NFL history but since has been topped three times.
#3: Aaron Rodgers ($40.31 Million)
Aaron Rodgers has been one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history with his ability to throw the football not matched by many people. However, before the 2023 season, the Green Bay Packers decided they wanted to move forward with Jordan Love and dealt the future Hall of Famer to the New York Jets.
Rodgers had a massive contract and the trade forced the Packers to eat more than $40 million in dead cap space. However, with the league’s youngest roster to make the postseason in 2023, they definitely felt the team made the correct decision.
#2: Matt Ryan ($40.53 Million)
The former NFL MVP quarterback was an icon for the Atlanta Falcons as “Matty Ice” was seen as the Falcons franchise star. However, the two sides decided it was time for a change and prior to the 2022 NFL season, the Indianapolis Colts traded for him. This would be costly for the Falcons as they at more than $40.5 million in dead cap space as a result.
Ever since Matt Ryan left, the Falcons have been trying to find a quarterback to replace his talents.
#1: Russell Wilson ($85 Million)
It’s going to be tough to top Russell Wilson’s dead cap hit from the Denver Broncos as they are on the books for $85 million for him to not play for the team. People were questioning the trade as it happened in real time and the only positive is the Broncos can split it up over the course of two years to make it a bit less toll on the franchise.
While his future is going to be questioned, teams seem to like moving on from Russell Wilson.
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