The Denver Broncos have the fourth-largest “dead money” salary cap hit in the NFL this offseason, according to Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com.
When a team includes guaranteed money spread out over the course of a multi-year contract, that money will count against the team’s salary cap regardless of if that player is on the team’s roster or not.
So, for example, wide receiver Demaryius Thomas had a prorated bonus of $3,533,334. Even though Thomas is no longer on the team’s roster, the Broncos can not use that $3.5+ million counting against their salary cap in 2019.
Since joining the team’s front office in 2011, general manager John Elway has done a pretty good job of avoiding dead money, up until this offseason. Thomas is the biggest hit this year, followed by ex-offensive lineman Menelik Watson ($1,333,334) and ex-quarterback Paxton Lynch ($1,272,965).
Unfortunately, Denver’s “dead money” total could grow even larger this offseason. If the team moves on from linebacker Brandon Marshall as expected, it will cost the team $4 million in dead money.
