After winning the NFC East in 2020, what is the Washington Football Team’s salary cap situation heading into the 2021 NFL league year? Let’s take a look at Washington’s salary cap situation and how they could look to open up more cap space in 2021.
The Washington Football Team projects to be around $42 million under the salary cap in 2021
As of February 28th, the 2021 salary cap projects to be around a minimum of $185 million. Washington will carry over $15.8 million in cap space to the 2021 season. Therefore, Washington’s current salary cap projects to be $200.8 million.
As it stands, Washington has just over $153.6 million in commitments to their top 51 highest-paid players, with an additional $4.9 million in dead money. Therefore, Washington is currently around $42 million under the salary cap heading into 2021.
To view the most up-to-date numbers for the Washington Football Team’s salary cap space, check out our team by team 2021 salary cap space article, which is updated daily.
Washington Football Team has a handful of potential options for releasing players
Washington is in an interesting position with plenty of salary cap space, but also the opportunity to open up more if they want to.
Could Alex Smith be released this offseason?
Alex Smith stunned the world when he returned to the field in 2020, winning the NFL Comeback Player of the Year. However, his return was not something that Washington was prepared for and his reliability entering 2021 is questionable.
Smith expects to count $23.3 million against Washington’s cap space in 2021. They can create $14.7 million if they were to release him. However, with Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen on the roster, will Smith’s experience be deemed too valuable to lose?
Where else could Washington clear salary cap space in 2021?
Washington has a few other options if they want to create cap space in 2021. Linebacker Jon Bostic would clear $2.7 million in salary cap space. However, after playing over 90 percent of the defensive snaps in 2020, it seems unlikely he would be released. Deshazor Everett played around 40 percent of the snaps last season. Releasing Everett could save Washington $1.3 million.
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On offense, Washington may have a choice to make between J.D. McKissic and Peyton Barber. Releasing McKissic would save $1.2 million, while releasing Barber would save $1.3 million. Of the two, Barber is more likely to see his release this offseason.
The Washington Football Team has players they can extend or restructure to create cap space in 2021
With a new general manager in place to go alongside head coach Ron Rivera, we could see Wahington look to extend and restructure deals for players they want to keep around long-term.
Washington could make a decision on two defensive linemen
Washington has two of its first-round defensive linemen in a position where decisions are necessary. Jonathan Allen will be playing on his fifth-year option in 2021. His salary cap number for Washington in 2021 will be $10.1 million. An extension could allow Washington to save around $7 million this season. In the unlikely event they choose to release Allen, none of his salary becomes guaranteed until the new league year begins.
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Then, there is Daron Payne, who will play on the fourth year of his rookie deal in 2021. Washington will have the option to pick up his fifth-year option, which would cost $8.5 million in 2022. His salary cap number for Washington in 2021 is $4.6 million, of which $1.2 million they could conceivably save with an extension.
Could Washington extend Logan Thomas ahead of the season?
Tight end Logan Thomas was somewhat of a revelation in 2020. He became one of Washington’s top weapons and was a player all of the quarterbacks could rely on. However, he enters 2021 with just one year remaining on his deal.
His salary cap number for Washington in 2021 expects to be $3.6 million. Washington could only save around $1 million with an extension, but given the way he played in 2020, they should consider making the move regardless of the cap space they could open up.
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