the real world includes a minimum salary cap (floor). which prevents exactly what you just stated.
“Teams must spend at least 89% of the cap over a four-year period, while the NFL as a whole must spend at least 95% of the cap”
I recall this headline :Colts’ Andrew Luck Becomes NFL’s Highest-Paid Player With 5 year $122M dollar deal.
I wonder if he would have taken 30% less to have an O-line that weren’t turnstyles that partially lead to his early retirement.