Welcome to the seventh installment of the cap casualty series. This series reviews each division’s most likely cap casualty. We will review the NFC South.
Note: All the information has been derived from Spotrac and Over The Cap.
Atlanta Falcons cap casualty: QB Taylor Heinicke
- Contract: 2-$14,000,000 (2025 Free Agent)
- Cap Number: $8,960,000
- Cap Savings: $6,960,000
- Why?
First, Heinicke struggled to carve out a role in the offense. Desmond Ridder was the starting quarterback heading into the season. Ridder was benched in Week 8, and Heinicke served as the starting quarterback for Weeks 9-10. However, he suffered a hamstring injury in Week 10. He was demoted to the backup role for Week 12. He was given another opportunity to start in Weeks 16-17 but struggled in Week 17. As a result, he did not start in Week 18.
Heinicke completed 74 out of 136 pass attempts (54.4%) for 890 yards and threw five touchdowns to four interceptions with a 1-3 record.
Second, Heinicke is not Atlanta’s quarterback of the future, as they are expected to acquire one in free agency or the draft. It’s unreasonable to pay someone $8 million if they won’t be starting.
Carolina Panthers cap casualty: TE Ian Thomas
- Contract: 3-$16,950,000 (2025 Free Agent)
- Cap Number: $6,038,433
- Cap Savings: $2,261,765
- Why?
First, Thomas isn’t productive in the passing game and is known for being a blocking tight end. He recorded five receptions for 56 yards in 2023 and has 116 receptions for 1,055 yards and four touchdowns in his six-year NFL career.
Second, Carolina has a talented group of tight ends, including Hayden Hurst and Tommy Tremble.
New Orleans Saints cap casualty: WR Michael Thomas
- Contract: 1-$10,000,000 (2025 Free Agent)
- Cap Number: $12,403,588
- Cap Savings (Pre June 1st): -$7,977,177
- Cap Savings (Post June 1st): $1,210,000
- Why?
First, Thomas hasn’t been able to stay healthy since the 2019 season. He missed nine games in 2020 because of a high-ankle sprain, a hamstring injury, and re-injured his ankle. He missed the entire 2021 season because of ankle surgery and had a setback. He missed 14 games in 2022 because of a toe dislocation. Finally, he missed the last seven games in 2023 because of a knee injury.
Second, Thomas has thrown shade at Carr. Thomas blamed Carr for getting him injured.
Third, New Orleans is in good hands with their receiving corps led by Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and A.T. Perry.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers cap casualty: WR Russell Gage
- Contract: 3-$30,000,000 (2025 Free Agent)
- Cap Number: $13,350,668
- Cap Savings (Pre June 1st): $6,448,000
- Cap Savings (Post June 1st): $10,000,000
- Why?
First, Gage has struggled to stay healthy throughout his tenure with Tampa Bay. He missed four games because of a hamstring injury in 2022 and missed the entire 2023 season because of a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee.
Second, Tampa Bay has his replacement on the roster. Trey Palmer played well in relief of Gage. He recorded 39 receptions for 385 yards and three touchdowns during the regular season, and three receptions for 88 yards and one touchdown in two playoff games.
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