We’re less than three weeks away from the start of the 2025 NFL league year, which coincides with the beginning of free agency. You can expect to read about many players being released over the next few weeks for (primarily) salary cap purposes. Whether the Seattle Seahawks will be a part of the storyline remains to be seen.
One former Seahawks starter is among those who will be looking for a new team. Tight end Gerald Everett, who started 12 games for Seattle in the 2021 season, was let go by the Chicago Bears. Everett signed a two-year, $12 million contract last offseason and had a grand total of 8 catches for 36 yards in his lone season in Chicago. His deep experience working with Shane Waldron likely spurred on the signing, but Waldron was fired midseason as offensive coordinator and Everett failed to make any impact in the Bears offense. The former Los Angeles Rams second-round pick also spent two seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, amassing 109 receptions, 966 yards, and 7 touchdowns.
Releasing Everett and defensive lineman DaMarcus Walker will free up about $10 million in cap room for the still rebuilding Bears.
Here’s an early list of notable salary cap casualties around the NFL:
Carolina Panthers
Cincinnati Bengals
Chicago Bears
TE Gerald Everett
DL DeMarcus Walker
Miami Dolphins
RB Raheem Mostert
CB Kendall Fuller
TE Durham Smythe
New England Patriots
Pittsburgh Steelers
It should be noted that if/when they sign with new teams, none of these players will count toward any compensatory pick formula. Only players who were scheduled to be unrestricted free agents are part of the equation, not cap casualties who still had time on their contracts.
