Heading into the 2020 offseason, the Raiders are scheduled to have just over $51 million in cap space, according to OverTheCap.com. However, you should expect that number to grow as the Raiders will look to release a few veterans to clear more cap space for potential free-agent signings.
In a recent piece by ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, he laid out his projected offseason moves for the Raiders in 2020. The first being that the team releases linebacker Tahir Whitehead, which would save them over $6 million in cap space. Take a look at Barnwell’s thoughts on the Raiders’ cap situation and Whitehead entering 2020:
I was surprised when the Raiders let the deadline for Tyrell Williams‘ $11 million base salary guarantee pass without cutting the former Chargers wideout, but it’s clear they think the deep threat will bounce back after plantar fasciitis slowed him down in 2019. With Williams sticking around, the only obvious cut candidate for Las Vegas is Whitehead, who was phased into a diminished role in December. Cutting the former Lions linebacker would free up $6.3 million in cap space.
Whitehead has been the team’s most reliable linebacker over the past two seasons, starting every game and accumulating 168 solo tackles. However, Whitehead has struggled mightily in coverage over the last two seasons, and he will turn 30 in April.
Linebacker is clearly one of the team’s biggest need positions entering the offseason, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the team spent free agent dollars and draft picks to upgrade the position. While Whitehead is still a solid run defender, the team may opt to move on from him to find more speed and athleticism at the linebacker position.
