Welcome to the sixth installment of the cap casualty series, in which we will focus on the NFC North division. The Chicago Bears have $64.02 million, the Detroit Lions have $46.56 million, the Green Bay Packers have $40.22 million, and the Minnesota Vikings have $57.94 million cap space. Although all four teams have plenty of space, each team has at least one contract they would like to get rid of.
Also Read: Predicting Each NFC East Team’s Most Likely Cap Casualty for 2025
Note: All information regarding contracts and cap space has been derived from Spotrac and Over The Cap. Also, if a player’s name is in italics, the team doesn’t necessarily have a definitive player who is considered a cap casualty. Finally, the focus is more on players who don’t live up to their contracts, battled injuries, and have less of an impact on the team rather than someone who is cut because they have a high cap hit.
Without further ado, here are the cap casualties for the NFC North.
Chicago Bears: Gerald Everett
- Contract: 2-years, $12,000,000 (2026 Free Agent)
- Cap Hit: $6,480,000
- Cap Savings: $5,480,000 ($1,000,000 dead cap)
First, Gerald Everett was not heavily involved in the passing game compared to years prior with the Los Angeles Chargers and had his worst statistical season as a pro in 2024. Everett caught a career-low eight passes on 13 targets for 36 yards in a measly 22% of offensive snaps. The expectation was that he would complement Cole Kmet and continue his streak of being a reliable pass-catching tight end, but things did not work out.
Second, paying a backup tight end who is coming off a disappointing year does not justify him making $5.06 million in base salary and a $6.48 million cap hit. Since Everett isn’t known for his blocking abilities, he may not fit Ben Johnson’s scheme, leaving his roster spot in jeopardy. Ultimately, it will be up to the new coaching staff to determine whether he remains in Chicago.
Detroit Lions: Za’Darius Smith
- Contract: 2-years, $23,000,000 (2026 Free Agent)
- Cap Hit: $5,727,500
- Cap Savings: $5,727,500
First, Za’Darius Smith will have to rework his contract for him to stay with the Lions. As Jeff Risdon of Lions Wire points out, Smith’s current contract includes a $2 million roster bonus due on the third day of the league new year, as well as a whopping $510,000 per-game bonus, and four void years.
Second, given his age—he turns 33 in September—and his inconsistency in big games, the Lions could still part ways with Smith this offseason and replace him with a superior pass rusher. They have plenty of cap space to sign a big-name free agent, who would be a great complement to Aidan Hutchinson. Notable free agent EDGE rushers include Khalil Mack, Josh Sweat, DeMarcus Lawrence, Dante Fowler Jr., Chase Young, Azeez Ojulari, Matthew Judon, and Malcolm Koonce, among others.
Green Bay Packers: Jaire Alexander
- Contract: 4-years, $84,000,000 (2027 Free Agent)
- Cap Hit: $24,956,354
- Cap Savings Pre-June 1st: $6,838,470 ($18,117,884 dead cap)
- Cap Savings Post-June 1st: $17,079,412 ($7,876,942 dead cap for 2025 and $10,240,942 for 2026)
First, Jaire Alexander has not been able to stay healthy since signing his lucrative contract extension during the 2022 offseason. Alexander has missed 21 of their last 51 regular season games with injury and a one-game suspension. He missed ten regular season and one postseason game during the 2024 season with a PCL injury.
Second, a fresh start is needed for Alexander and the Packers. The Pro Bowl cornerback refused to conduct an exit interview with the media after cleaning out his locker, expressing his uncertain future in Green Bay, and he said he did not have any nice things to say.
Minnesota Vikings: Garrett Bradbury
- Contract: 3-years, $15,750,000 (2026 Free Agent)
- Cap Hit: $6,064,000
- Cap Savings: $3,662,000 ($2,442,000 dead cap for 2025)
First, Garrett Bradbury struggled in pass protection and was graded as one of the worst pass protectors at his position this season. Bradbury surrendered 37 pressures, 27 hurries, six QB hits, four sacks allowed, and a 48.2 pass-blocking grade. He surrendered the most pressures and hurries, the second-most QB hits, the fourth-most sacks, and the third-lowest pass-blocking grade among qualified centers who have played at least 50% of offensive snaps (h/t PFF).
Second, given his struggles at pass protection and since the Vikings have plenty of cap space, they are better off signing a big-name free agent. Notable free-agent centers include Ryan Kelly, Drew Dalman, Austin Corbett, Bradley Bozeman, Josh Myers, and Coleman Shelton.
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