There is a reason that some say the National Football League really stands for ‘Not For Long’. The NFL is a cold business, and some of the biggest stars from yesterday are now cut candidates. In no particular order, let’s go over 10 former stars that might have played their last down with their current team.
Top 10 NFL Cut Candidates Around the League
1. Michael Thomas
As is normally the case at this time in the season, the New Orleans Saints are dramatically over the salary cap and need to move on from a few familiar faces. Michael Thomas is all but guaranteed to be one of those players, as the wide receiver recently restructured his contract to earn an extra bit of guaranteed money. In doing this, he also created a $31.75 million roster bonus for 2024 that becomes guaranteed on March 17th. By cutting him with a post-June 1st designation, the Saints will save $1.365 million in cap space and not have to pay him over $30 million next year.
2. Matt Ryan
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. One-time MVP Matt Ryan is clearly over the hill, and the Indianapolis Colts are clearly planning on adding a new quarterback via the NFL Draft. Perhaps the team signs a veteran quarterback, but it certainly won’t be Ryan. The former Falcon carries a $35.2 million cap hit, and the Colts can save $17.2 million by cutting him.
3. Ezekiel Elliott
Ezekiel Elliott hasn’t played like his old self in a few years, and we may finally be at the end of his Dallas tenure. Tony Pollard is clearly the better back, and Jerry Jones recently said that they will utilize the franchise tag to keep him around. It’s foolish to spend that much money on two running backs, and the Cowboys can save $10.9 million in cap space with a post-June 1st cut designation.
The #Cowboys will franchise tag RB Tony Pollard if the two sides cannot work out a long-term deal by the Tuesday deadline, sources say. Dallas has been clear the tag is an option, and they aren't in the business of letting great players walk. Pollard will be there in 2023.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 4, 2023
4. Joe Mixon
Speaking of running backs on the back nine, 27-year-old Joe Mixon has probably played his last snap in Cincinnati. The Bengals can save $7.29 million by parting ways with the veteran, and with the abundance of running back talent available in both free agency and the draft, this is a no-brainer.
5. La’el Collins
Sticking with the Bengals, it’s safe to say that the La’el Collins experiment did not live up to expectations. The longtime Cowboy finished the season with the 68th-best PFF grade out of 81 eligible NFL tackles, and that type of performance makes him an easy cut candidate. With Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins both due for contract, the Bengals need every penny they can get.
6. Donovan Smith
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers did not live up to expectations in 2022, and Donovan Smith was no exception. The longtime left tackle had a brutal season and, with the team well over the salary cap, is likely on his way out. Tampa Bay has $15.25 million reasons to designate him as a post-June 1st cut, and his play does not justify that type of cap hit.
We gotta do something about Donovan Smith man. pic.twitter.com/YQvl6NacwV
— 𝗗𝗝 (@DJBucsFan) January 19, 2023
7. Frank Clark
The Chiefs are right at the salary cap line, but that doesn’t give them enough money to navigate free agency. However, once they release Frank Clark, they’ll have an extra $21 million of spending money. Clark is a fine player that has come up in big NFL games, but he’s an easy cut candidate at that price.
8. Shaq Thompson
Typically, you don’t want to cut players that are coming off of 135-tackle seasons. However, when you’re over the salary cap and can clear $13.1 million with one transaction, you really don’t have a choice. Thompson will find a home somewhere, but he’ll have to take a big pay cut in the process.
9. Byron Jones
Byron Jones effectively retired via Twitter last week, so now it’s time to make everything official. The cornerback claims that he can no longer run or jump, and designating him as a post-June 1st cut will save $13.6 million in much-needed cap space. Perhaps some of that money could be used to acquire Aaron Rodgers.
Much has changed in 8 years. Today I can’t run or jump because of my injuries sustained playing this game. DO NOT take the pills they give you. DO NOT take the injections they give you. If you absolutely must, consult an outside doctor to learn the long-term implications. https://t.co/g5TTHDQGSY
— Byron Jones (@TheByronJones) February 25, 2023
Main Photo: Mark J. Rebilas – USA Today Sports
