As the NFL salary cap continues to climb, some teams are investing heavily in their defenses, hoping elite talent can bring championship results. According to cap data for 2025, these are the five most expensive defensive units based on combined cap hits of all signed defenders.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers — $178 Million
The Steelers top the list, spending a massive $178 million on their defense. Leading the charge are:
- T.J. Watt: $30.4M cap hit
- Minkah Fitzpatrick: $22.3M cap hit
- Cameron Heyward: $19.6M cap hit The Steelers’ strategy continues to center around elite pass rush and secondary play.
2. New York Giants — $152 Million
New York has made significant investments to build a formidable defensive front:
- Dexter Lawrence: $23.6M cap hit
- Brian Burns: $17.75M cap hit
- Bobby Okereke: $14.5M cap hit
3. Indianapolis Colts — $144 Million
The Colts are also in the top tier of defensive spenders, with their core featuring:
- DeForest Buckner: $26.6M cap hit
- Grover Stewart: $14.25M cap hit
- Kwity Paye: $13.4M cap hit
4. Chicago Bears — $144 Million
Matching the Colts at $144 million, the Bears have reshaped their defense through high-profile contracts:
- Montez Sweat: $25.1M cap hit
- Jaylon Johnson: $21M cap hit
- Tremaine Edmunds: $17.4M cap hit
5. Arizona Cardinals — $140 Million
Rounding out the top five are the Cardinals, allocating $140 million to their defense:
- Jalen Thompson: $16M cap hit
- Byron Murphy Jr. (likely intended as Jones in graphic): $11.3M cap hit
- Budda Baker: $10.8M cap hit
Final Thoughts
These teams have prioritized defense with major financial commitments, banking on these investments to disrupt opposing offenses and fuel playoff runs. Whether the spending translates into success on the field remains to be seen — but one thing is clear: defense is big business in the NFL in 2025.
