Projected Cap Space (per Spotrac): $94 million

Top Potential Cap Casualties

1. QB Gardner Minshew II – $14 million

The Raiders ended up firing general manager Tom Telesco after it initially looked like he was going to keep his job. So it’s going to be hard to know what direction the roster will go until they decide on a new head coach and general manager. Still, it’s a pretty safe bet that whoever is in charge won’t have Gardner Minshew in the plan for the future.

Minshew went 2-7 as the starter this season, throwing more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (9) and posting a miserable 38.3 QBR. Whether it’s through the draft or free agency, the Raiders feel destined to start over at the quarterback position, and cutting Minshew would save $6.3 million against the cap.

2. C Andre James – $8.7 million

Andre James doesn’t generate a ton of cap savings. Only $1.4 million of his cap hit would come off the books if he’s cut before June 1. That number would climb to $3.2 million if they wait until after June 1, which seems more likely at this point. Either way, it doesn’t feel like James will be on the Raiders roster by the beginning of next season. Rookie Jackson Powers-Johnson took over the starting center job by the end of the season, and the new regime will not have a sense of loyalty to the veteran.

James is scheduled to be paid like a starting lineman, but it’s hard seeing the Raiders not going with Powers-Johnson as the center moving forward. Waiting until June 2 or later could give them a little budget boost to post some third- or fourth-wave free agents.

3. CB Jack Jones – $3.3 million

The Raiders don’t really need to carve out cap space. They have the second-highest projected cap space number in the league, and there aren’t a lot of candidates to cut that even make sense. If the Raiders decide to do some housekeeping, then Jack Jones could be a surprise candidate. The entirety of his $3.3 million cap hit would come off the books if they release him.

Jones was a midseason acquisition in 2023 and really looked like a success story of Antonio Pierce’s coaching regime. However, he kind of came back down to earth this season and was responsible for giving up eight touchdowns in coverage, per Pro Football Reference. $3.3 million isn’t much for a potential starter at corner, but if the new coaching regime isn’t a fan then he could be sent to the free-agent pool.