NFL dead money tops $55M as NHL salary‑cap rise sparks contract chaos

The NFL’s salary cap rose to $301.2 million for the 2024‑25 offseason, creating a record number of eight‑figure dead‑money contracts. Forty‑two players now carry dead‑money hits of $10 million or more, led by Tua Tagovailoa’s $55.4 million charge for the Miami Dolphins. Other large hits include Kyler Murray ($46.57 M), Derek Carr ($36.67 M) and Aaron Rodgers ($35 M). The Dolphins hold the single‑player dead‑cap record, while the Denver Broncos also navigate a large dead‑money burden after releasing Russell Wilson.

In the NHL, the salary‑cap ceiling increased for the first time since the pandemic‑era freeze, moving up from the $81.5 million level used from 2019‑2023. The higher cap has already prompted a surge in contract offers, most notably an $18 million average‑value deal for rookie Leo Carlsson from the Philadelphia Flyers. The rise fuels expectations that future stars such as Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini could secure similarly massive contracts, and established players like Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar are poised to cash in. The expanding cap is expected to create ongoing financial challenges for teams as player agents leverage the new ceiling.