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Best and worst 2022 NFL salary-cap situations: Saints and Packers have issues, and these teams could spend in free agency

It is only Week 5, but NFL front offices don't plan from week to week. They plan in three-year chunks. And with the Nov. 2 trade deadline now less than four weeks away, you're going to start seeing some moves aimed at managing next year's salary cap.

You already have, actually. The Dallas Cowboys' release of linebacker Jaylon Smith this week was directly connected to their fear of his injury-only-guaranteed $9.2 million 2022 salary. With rookie Micah Parsons playing like a superstar, the Cowboys' linebacker room was overcrowded, almost certainly pushing Smith out of their future plans.