Only 2 names stand out
With the Las Vegas Raiders already eliminated from playoff contention, we’re in 2025 team-building mode even though those decisions are months away from happening.
Before the Raiders attack the team-building portion of next offseason, they need to address who won’t be on the 2025 roster instead of who will be on it.
The reality is Las Vegas is projected to among the most salary-cap room in the NFL, so it won’t be necessary for it to shed a lot of salary.
Yet, there will very likely be some instances where the team looks to cut veterans and that will be production based.
There are two players who stand out as likely salary-cap candidates: Quarterback Gardner Minshew and center Andre James. By the way this season has unfolded the mention of either Minshew or James being gone next year is not a surprise.
Minshew signed a two-year contract in free agency in March. He has a $14 million salary-cap number for 2025. Minshew was replaced multiple teams as the starting quarterback before his season ended with a broken collarbone last month.
It makes little sense for Minshew to be on the roster next year. Las Vegas will very likely try to draft a quarterback early. So, it makes sense that the younger and cheaper Aidan O’Connell is the other quarterback on the roster, so there just isn’t much room or need for a second year of Minshew after his awful stint this season.
It would have been a surprise a few months ago to think James would be a cut candidate. The team prioritized him, extending him with a three-year, $24 million deal on the eve of free agency.
Yet, James was hurt during the season and rookie second-round pick Jackson Powers-Johnson was moved from guard to center, which is considered his natural NFL position. Powers-Johnson has performed well, so it’s likely the will be the long-term answer at center and James will be expendable.
