The Denver Broncos’ upcoming release of quarterback Russell Wilson will represent the biggest “dead money” salary cap hit in NFL history.
If the Broncos designate the release as expected, Wilson’s 2024 cap hit will be $35.4 million, and his 2025 cap hit will be a whopping $49.6 million.
Just the 2025 cap hit alone would mark the largest dead money hit in NFL history; the $85 million total spread over two years is more than the next two largest dead money cap hits in NFL history combined.
The list of top dead money hits is, unsurprisingly, filled with star quarterbacks and big-name receivers, whose deals command some of the highest cap hits around the NFL.
Dead money could come to a team because of releasing a player, trading a player, or because of retirement. It’s considered “dead money” because it counts against a team’s salary cap even though the player is no longer on the team. Here’s a quick list of the 12 biggest dead money cap hits of all-time.
1
Russell Wilson: $85 million
2
Matt Ryan: $40.53 million
3
Aaron Rodgers: $40.31 million
4
Tom Brady: $35.1 million
5
Carson Wentz: $33.8 million
6
Leonard Williams: $26.9 million
7
Russell Wilson: $26 million
8
Julio Jones: $23.25 million
9
DeAndre Hopkins: $22.6 million
10
Jared Goff: $22.2 million
11
Brandin Cooks: $21.8 million
12
Antonio Brown: $21.1 million
