As the start of the new league year (March 17) and NFL free agency draws closer, NFL fans might begin seeing the term “cap casualty” more frequently. What is a cap casualty in the NFL?
A cap casualty is a player who is cut, not necessarily because he isn’t a good player, but because the salary cap benefits outweigh the on-field production.
Because teams have limited salary cap space, talented players are often cut to save money.
The Denver Broncos recently had an example of a cap casualty.
A.J. Bouye is a good cornerback, but he suffered a shoulder injury and concussion last season and he will turn 30 years old in August. If he had a low cap hit, Bouye might be brought back because of his talent.
Bouye would have had an $11,689,338 cap hit this year if the Broncos hadn’t released him. By moving on from the veteran defensive back, Denver saved more than $11.5 million in cap space. Bouye was a cap casualty.
Another player who might be in danger of becoming a cap casualty this offseason is defensive lineman Jurrell Casey, who is set to earn $11.681 million in 2021. Casey is a star defender but he will turn 32 years old in December and he missed most of last season with a biceps injury.
If he is cut, Casey would be another example of a cap casualty.
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