Those 7 players are accounting for over $50 million in dead money

One of the biggest issues in the NFL for managers is dead money. I know that this might not be a familiar concept for everyone. It is a charge to the salary cap for money already paid to a player in the form of a bonus that had a prorated cap hit, or it is money that must be paid in guaranteed money.

For example, if a player signs a five-year contract and is given a $10 million signing bonus, the cap hit of that bonus is spread out over the five years — or $2 million per year. If a player is traded or cut before the end of his contract, the balance of the uncharged cap hit is counted toward the current year's cap.

If a player is cut and has a fully guaranteed salary due, the team must still pay the salary counts toward the cap. If traded to another team, the old team is not charged for the guaranteed salary because the new team is responsible for it.

The Bears have $56.8 million in dead cap space, which ranks 2nd in the NFL. Here's a look at 7 players who account for over $50 million of that!


Khalil Mack

Dead Money: $24 million

Current team: Los Angeles Chargers

Nick Foles

Dead money: $7.67 million

Current team: Indianapolis Colts

Eddie Goldman

$5.15 million

Current team: Free agent

Andy Dalton

Dead money: $5 million

Current team: New Orleans Saints

Jimmy Graham

Dead money: $4.66 million

Current team: Free agent

Charles Leno

$2.8 million

Current team: Washington Commanders

Tarik Cohen

$1.75 million

Current team: Free agent