Updated NFL Salary Cap Outlook After 2025 Trade Deadline
The NFL's 2025 trade deadline passed at 4 p.m. and, unlike some previous years, it largely met expectations with significant moves impacting salary cap situations for several teams.
Top Teams by Salary Cap Space
- Kansas City Chiefs: $3.3 million
- Indianapolis Colts: $2.8 million
- Los Angeles Chargers: $2.2 million
Cap data sourced from Spotrac.
Major Trades Affecting Salary Cap
The most notable trade was between the New York Jets and the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts received cornerback Sauce Gardner, sending two first-round picks and 2024 second-round pick Adonai Mitchell to the Jets.
"Gardner, of course, can help a Colts defense that ranks 26th in passing yards allowed."
Despite the cost in draft capital and salary, this trade minimally affected the Colts' 2025 cap because Gardner is in the fourth year of his rookie contract. His four-year, $120.4 million extension begins in 2027, so the cap impact this season is limited.
Another impactful trade involved the Jets sending defensive lineman Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys. In return, New York received a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith.
Additionally, Dallas acquired linebacker Logan Wilson from the Cincinnati Bengals. Before these moves, Dallas had the second-most cap space in the league.
Summary
The 2025 NFL trade deadline featured high-profile player moves that reshaped salary cap outlooks, with the Colts’ deal for Gardner and the Cowboys’ acquisitions standing out most prominently.
Author’s Summary
The 2025 trade deadline saw major NFL deals that shifted salary caps, notably the Colts acquiring Sauce Gardner and the Cowboys strengthening their roster, influencing teams' future strategies.