June 2 is an important date on the NFL calendar. When teams release a player with more than one season left on his contract during the beginning portion of the offseason, they have the right to do so with what is known as a post-June 1 designation. That means the dead cap hit for that player is split over two years rather than one, softening the blow for the current year. The cap space created is not available until after June 1, however.
Here is a look at how the seven teams who designated a post-June 1 cut might use that additional room created. Though there aren't many franchise-changing free agents left on the market, there is quality, short-term talent available. And teams could choose to try to get extensions done with some of the money added in the post-June 1 cut. Teams could also save the money as a reserve to be used in-season for signings, practice-squad transactions and other maneuvers.
Note: All cap numbers are as of Thursday, June 8, and are courtesy of ESPN's Roster Management System.
