Tyreek Hill, Cap Casualties, and a New Era in New York: NFL Offseason Heats Up
There’s a tidal wave of salary cap space coming in 2026 - the NFL is expected to see the cap surge past $300 million. That’s a big jump, with each team projected to gain at least $22 million in flexibility.
For front offices, that’s gold: more room to chase free agents, extend stars, and rework deals. But even with that cushion, not every contract makes sense to keep.
And sometimes, not even superstar names are safe.
Dolphins Move On from Tyreek Hill
The Miami Dolphins are parting ways with wide receiver Tyreek Hill, a move that would’ve seemed unthinkable not long ago. But this is the NFL - things move fast.
Hill was set to count $36 million against the cap, and with no guaranteed money left on his deal, Miami had a clean exit. At nearly 32 years old and coming off a serious knee injury that derailed his trade value, Hill became a logical - if painful - cap casualty. There are also legal concerns surrounding him, which only complicated the situation further.
This isn’t just about numbers. Hill was a game-changer, a constant deep threat who reshaped defenses the moment he lined up. But when a player’s production, health, and off-field issues start tipping the wrong way - and the cap hit is massive - tough calls have to be made.
Michael Pittman Jr. Could Be Next
Over in Indianapolis, wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. finds himself in a similar spot. The Colts could save $24 million by cutting him, and like Hill, he’s got no guaranteed money left on his deal. Pittman is entering the final year of his contract with a $29 million cap hit.
Here’s where the math gets interesting: Pittman’s cap number is higher than the potential savings because of how signing bonuses work. His $15 million bonus was spread evenly across a three-year deal, so there’s still $5 million in prorated money counting against the cap in 2026. That’s the difference.
Pittman was outperformed last season by Alec Pierce, a younger wideout who’s heading into free agency. That could make the Colts think long and hard about where they want to invest their resources - especially with new money to play with.
These are just two names on a long list. Every team has tough decisions to make, and the expanded cap doesn’t mean every contract suddenly makes sense. It just gives front offices a little more room to maneuver.
John Harbaugh’s Nonstop Start in New York
If you thought a new contract meant a moment to exhale, John Harbaugh would like a word.
The longtime Ravens head coach signed a five-year, $100+ million deal in January to take over a storied but struggling New York franchise. And he’s wasted no time getting to work - literally. Harbaugh has been clocking in at 4 a.m. and leaving after 8 p.m., living out of a team-provided apartment and spending almost every waking hour inside the facility.
This isn’t just about long hours. Harbaugh’s been building a massive staff - 31 coaches deep, which is significantly larger than the league norm.
Among the names: former NFL head coaches Matt Nagy and Brian Callahan, plus ex-college head coaches Willie Taggart and Mike Bloomgren. It’s a brain trust built for a full-scale rebuild.
Harbaugh’s also got near-total control. He reports directly to ownership, not GM Joe Schoen, and he brought in Dawn Aponte to oversee analytics, salary cap strategy, and player contracts. She reports to Harbaugh as well - a rare setup that speaks to the trust and power he’s been given.
NFL insiders have already dubbed Harbaugh the best hire of this coaching cycle. And while the Giants are coming off a 4-13 season, there’s real buzz building around their potential turnaround.
Harbaugh’s aiming for a playoff push in 2026. That’s a big ask, but if anyone’s going to grind their way to a quick fix, it’s the 63-year-old coach who’s barely stopped moving since he signed the dotted line.
NFLPA Report Cards Silenced - For Now
In 2023, the NFL Players Association launched a bold initiative: anonymous player surveys that graded teams on everything from training facilities to how families were treated. The results were public, and they made waves.
Players got a voice. Fans got transparency.
And teams - especially those with failing grades - were forced to respond. Washington, for example, overhauled its facilities after a brutal 2024 grade, with new owner Josh Harris saying, “I’m not an F-minus guy.”
But now, the league has shut the door on public accountability. An arbitrator ruled last week that the NFLPA can’t publish the report cards anymore, calling them “disparaging” and in violation of the collective bargaining agreement. The arbitrator was jointly appointed and paid by both the league and the union.
The surveys themselves aren’t going away - players will still receive the 2026 report cards privately - but the public won’t see them. And that’s a loss for transparency. The report cards gave fans a rare look behind the curtain, and they gave players a way to push for better conditions without going public individually.
Now, that leverage is gone. Owners may have taken a hit to their egos, but they’ve reclaimed control of the narrative.
Quick Hits
👀 Klint Kubiak’s Offense in Vegas
The Raiders are turning to Klint Kubiak to spark their offense.
The former Seahawks coordinator brings a system that could lean heavily on running back Ashton Jeanty. Expect a zone-heavy scheme with play-action wrinkles - a classic Kubiak blueprint.
📓 Quarterback Breakdown
Nick Baumgardner dove deep into the top three quarterbacks on Dane Brugler’s draft board: Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson, and Garrett Nussmeier. Each brings something different to the table, and Baumgardner’s breakdown offers a clear look at what makes them tick - and what might hold them back.
🎙 Kyle Hamilton on Sanders Sack
Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton joined The Athletic Football Show to dissect one of his most talked-about plays - a sack on Shedeur Sanders.
It’s a fascinating look at how elite defenders process plays in real time. Definitely worth a watch.
The NFL offseason is already off to a roaring start. Big names are on the move, new coaches are reshaping franchises, and the league’s behind-the-scenes battles are just as intense as what happens on the field. Buckle up - 2026 is going to be a wild ride.