McCourty Resigned: 5yrs/$47.5m with $28.5m guaranteed

[HomeRunBaker]

Yeah, that's probably true once you decide to commit nearly $5 million to a kicker. That's the decision that started the dominoes tumbling the way they did. I think teams work out lots of kickers throughout the year in case they need a guy in a pinch, so the Patriots must know the pickings are slim, but they really didn't need to do anything too drastic to tag McCourty and still compete for Revis, other than go a different direction at kicker. Gostkowski better be good next year!

I prefer tagging Ghost rather than scrapping the wires for a replacement or committing to him on a long-term deal to reduce his cap number this year. I also prefer re-signing McCourty than having him resign......that woulda sucked.

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

You would essentially replace the 2015 franchise number with the new contract, which is what I expect them to do with Gostkowski. The reason for not doing it with DMC is that it is obviously a higher number, so it ties up greater resources for the time being while you eventually do a re-worked deal. By going about it this way, you never have the higher cap number on your books, which could hamstring you in negotiations. We're not sure what the cap number will be for the first year, but let's assume it's somewhere around $6M. If that's the case, then right now you have both DMC and Gostkowski under contract at a total cap hit of $10.5, versus just having DMC under contract at a cap hit of $9.5.

Right if you must keep Gostkowsi, this is the way to do it, simply because McCourty makes a lot more so you have more to save by amortizing the bigger signing bonus. But I think Gostkowski is also a high risk to play under the tag.

Bottom line is that the Patriots are over the cap by upwards of $10 or $11 million right now. They have a little more than 24 hours to fix that, with Revis' $20 million as the only obvious quick move available. $4.6 million for the kicker position, even in the short term, seems like a luxury they didn't really have. Plus, the $3.5 million they "save" by not franchising McCourty isn't free. They are just borrowing it from future years' caps. You can't do too much of this without mortgaging your future. All I'm saying is Gostkowski is a really big luxury.

 

[j44thor]

Why would he do that though?  He'd either be hitting the market again in a year or would have been tagged again and made 120% more in 2016.  He could have made almost $20 million in guaranteed money just by standing pat, playing for the tags, and then getting a long-term deal at age 30.  He probably would have topped the $28 million guaranteed by doing so.   

 
Because franchise only guarantees him one year of income.  He tears and ACL this season and he is looking at a fraction of what he could have received.  McCourty has only made 10M before taxes in the NFL.  I think he would have jumped at the opportunity to set himself up for life with a long term contract with the returning SB champs and the only place he has played.
Jarius Byrd should be example A of why it makes sense to take a longer term deal.  If Byrd was playing under the franchise last season what would his market be today, a one year incentive laden deal at best?  Given his career earnings, I think the franchise tag would have been a huge risk for McCourty.

 

[Stitch01]

Its a risk-reward thing for sure, but getting $9.6MM guaranteed certainly makes it easier to risk the next $12.4 million to win something like $20-$22 million, which is what McCourty would have been doing by signing the franchise tenderl/not signing the extension/post franchise deal you described above.
 
Plus McCourty was pretty straightforward throughout these negotiations, publicly said he'd happily sign the franchise tag, and didn't exactly seem thrilled the Pats didn't offer it to him. Could be a negotiating ploy, but Im inclined to take him at face value given the information we have.

 

[RedOctober3829]

 
Because franchise only guarantees him one year of income.  He tears and ACL this season and he is looking at a fraction of what he could have received.  McCourty has only made 10M before taxes in the NFL.  I think he would have jumped at the opportunity to set himself up for life with a long term contract with the returning SB champs and the only place he has played.
Jarius Byrd should be example A of why it makes sense to take a longer term deal.  If Byrd was playing under the franchise last season what would his market be today, a one year incentive laden deal at best?  Given his career earnings, I think the franchise tag would have been a huge risk for McCourty.

So do you think Dez Bryant should accept a long-term deal for less money or play out the tags the next 2 seasons?

 

[j44thor]

Its a risk-reward thing for sure, but getting $9.6MM guaranteed certainly makes it easier to risk the next $12.4 million to win something like $20-$22 million, which is what McCourty would have been doing by signing the franchise tenderl/not signing the extension/post franchise deal you described above.
 
Plus McCourty was pretty straightforward throughout these negotiations, publicly said he'd happily sign the franchise tag, and didn't exactly seem thrilled the Pats didn't offer it to him. Could be a negotiating ploy, but Im inclined to take him at face value given the information we have.

 
I read McCourty saying he wouldn't mind being tagged as a sign he was happy to stay in NE and wouldn't not be a problem if tagged.  Many players refuse OTA's and camp when tagged and some hold out for the max amount of games necessary to accrue a season towards FA.  My understanding was not that McCourty preferred the tag to a long-term deal, only that he wouldn't cause a stink if tagged like many others have done.  

 

[Stitch01]

I think he's happier to be here under a long-term deal on his terms than on the tag as well.

 

[Shelterdog]

I think he's happier to be here under a long-term deal on his terms than on the tag as well.

 
His preferences appeared to be:
 
1) great long term deal with the Pats
2) hit the open market and get a great long term deal elsewhere
3) play under franchise tag
4) accept a subpar long term deal with the Pats because you're afraid you're going to get tagged and you don't want to be an Orakapo

 

[Stitch01]

Im not sure of the order of 2 and 3, but seems reasonable to me.

 

[ElcaballitoMVP]

Holy crap. I totally missed this. That's what happens when the gf doesn't let me watch sports all day. 
 
Incredible to have DMC back. I did not think that was going to happen. Makes me even happier to see that he left money on the table to stay. Now lets just hope this helps convince Revis to come back and keep that secondary together. 

 

[dcmissle]

Holy crap. I totally missed this. That's what happens when the gf doesn't let me watch sports all day. 
 
Incredible to have DMC back. I did not think that was going to happen. Makes me even happier to see that he left money on the table to stay. Now lets just hope this helps convince Revis to come back and keep that secondary together. 

Hilarious considering your access. So what your saying is the gf keeps a tighter grip than Putin?

 

[singaporesoxfan]

 
Because franchise only guarantees him one year of income.  He tears and ACL this season and he is looking at a fraction of what he could have received.  McCourty has only made 10M before taxes in the NFL.  I think he would have jumped at the opportunity to set himself up for life with a long term contract with the returning SB champs and the only place he has played.
Jarius Byrd should be example A of why it makes sense to take a longer term deal.  If Byrd was playing under the franchise last season what would his market be today, a one year incentive laden deal at best?  Given his career earnings, I think the franchise tag would have been a huge risk for McCourty.

 
I know that is the general reason for franchise-tagged players to accept an extension that is likely below-market - but I meant in this specific case, McCourty would have had a card to play unlike most other franchised players. McCourty and his team would have known that if he was franchised, Belichick and the Patriots most likely needed him to sign the extension to free up cap space for the Revis signing. So there would have been some leverage that allowed McCourty to push back and not accept an extension that was too low. Extending the game theory further, Belichick would have known that McCourty would have known this. So Belichick would have known that the savings he might have enjoyed by franchising McCourty and negotiating a long-term extension under the tag was not that high, and not worth the risk that they might not come to terms on an extension.
 
(Also, I don't know if players get their own insurance against injury, which mitigates some of the risk.)
 
Edit: use of the subjunctive

 

[E5 Yaz]

 
... along with the "guys don't take less money/hometown discounts" one?

 
Well, not yet. Kraft's comment the other day was in reference to players from other teams coming to play for the Patriots for less than they'd get elsewhere.
 
And while it's less than he was offered elsewhere, McCourty isn't taking a discount ... it's still the second-largest AAV in NFL history for a safety

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Yeah I'm tired already of hearing how it's refreshing that "it wasn't about the money" with McCourty especially on my FB page. He was on the phone to leave BECAUSE of the money!!! He is a Patriots to because Bill INCREASED the monetary value of the offer!!! It's making me pull my hair out.

 

[ElcaballitoMVP]

Yeah I'm tired already of hearing how it's refreshing that "it wasn't about the money" with McCourty especially on my FB page. He was on the phone to leave BECAUSE of the money!!! He is a Patriots to because Bill INCREASED the monetary value of the offer!!! It's making me pull my hair out.

 
Why are you pulling your hair out? Reports are saying the guy left more money on the table to resign with the Pats. He isn't taking some crazy team-friendly discount, so he shouldn't be applauded for doing the Pats a favor, but he did leave money on the table to go back to NE. 
 
He wanted to go back to NE, but the money wasn't coming close to what he was looking at in free agency, so he thanked BB for his time there. The Pats made one final offer to keep him from reaching free agency and it was enough to get a deal done. I'd say good job by both sides. Good job Bill for stepping up and offering this contract, and good job DMC for taking the contract when he could've chased a few more in guaranteed millions elsewhere. 

 

[dcmissle]

The bigger story is the Pats proving so many of us wrong by going to a neighborhood many thought prohibitive. I thought he'd get one of these crazy deals and be gone.

 

[TheoShmeo]

If McCourty took less than he was offered elsewhere, then he chose NE for reasons, at least in part, that related to non-monetary considerations.  That doesn't make him Mother Theresa or someone for whom money was not hugely important, but it does mean that he did not go to the highest bidder.  Given his familiarity and comfort in NE, and the fact that the Patriots are positioned to be title contenders for the next few years, it's not surprising that he might have left a few dollars on the table. 
 
And some reports have indeed said that McCourty was offered more elsewhere.
 
Edit: Or what Elcab said before I hit post.

 

[dcmissle]

If McCourty took less than he was offered elsewhere, then he chose NE for reasons, at least in part, that related to non-monetary considerations.  That doesn't make him Mother Theresa or someone for whom money was not hugely important, but it does mean that he did not go to the highest bidder.  Given his familiarity and comfort in NE, and the fact that the Patriots are positioned to be title contenders for the next few years, it's not surprising that he might have left a few dollars on the table. 
 
And some reports have indeed said that McCourty was offered more elsewhere.
 
Edit: Or what Elcab said before I hit post.

We'll have to see what the offer was, but in my view if he took a 5% discount on guaranteed money, that is a significant concession. Especially if that offer came from one of the solid franchises on his list.

Far better to be here than in one of those cities that consistently has to pay top dollar (Buffalo), or is trying to make up for the one who got away (Miami) or is overpaying out of spite or the back page of a tabloid (NY).

His agents did a fine job here. We're in a sad place if somebody has to represent himself in negotiations with Kraft and agree to a whopping haircut before a deal is regarded as good for the team.

 

[DJnVa]

 
Well, not yet. Kraft's comment the other day was in reference to players from other teams coming to play for the Patriots for less than they'd get elsewhere.

 

I'm not talking about Kraft's comments.
 
I'm talking about the myriad of comments that players do not leave money on the table.

 

[Phragle]

Maybe now he can afford his own twitter account.
 
I want to see the details but that's a lot of money. I have to think they could have saved if they tagged him or signed him a month ago.

 

[soxhop411]

@BenVolin: McCourty says on NFL Live that he got a call from Belichick. "We need to work this out, what do we need to do?"

 

[Corsi]

Field Yates ‏@FieldYates  7s8 seconds ago
Based on details available: Patriots S Devin McCourty's new deal includes a signing bonus of $15M. His 2015 cap hit is $6M.

 

[jsinger121]

Field Yates ‏@FieldYates  now13 seconds ago
Based on details available: Patriots S Devin McCourty's new deal includes a signing bonus of $15M. His 2015 cap hit is $6M.

 

[RedOctober3829]

$6 million cap hit is great.  The extra $3.5 MM in cap savings can come in handy.

 

[jsinger121]

$6 million cap hit is great.  The extra $3.5 MM in cap savings can come in handy.

 
Yup and if they can get Solder signed longterm they can drop that number down too. 

 

[Ed Hillel]

Ok, so they're about 10.5 million over with Revis at 25, which makes a Revis deal doable, but will require probably 5-8 million more be opened up soon thereafter to address other needs and the draft.

 

[jsinger121]

Ok, so they're about 10.5 million over with Revis at 25, which makes a Revis deal doable, but will require probably 5-8 million more be opened up soon thereafter to address other needs and the draft.

 
Easy if they extend Solder, work out a Ghost extension and turn Browner's money into bonus. 

 

[Corsi]

Joel Corry ‏@corryjoel  37s37 seconds ago
Devin McCourty's $28.5M in guarantees are a $15M signing bonus, $2.5M 2015 base salary, $4.5M 2016 base salary & $6.5M 2017 base salary.

 

[RedOctober3829]

 
Easy if they extend Solder, work out a Ghost extension and turn Browner's money into bonus. 

And take Mayo's contract down to just the guarantee for injury.

 

[soxhop411]

@RavensInsider: $5 million of Devin McCourty $15 million signing bonus deferred to March 31, 2016

 

[soxhop411]

That's interesting

 

[jsinger121]

And take Mayo's contract down to just the guarantee for injury.

 
Bingo. The cap can be manipulated many ways. They have money for Revis and always did,

 

[Corsi]

Joel Corry ‏@corryjoel  14s14 seconds ago
$22M of Devin McCourty's five-year, $47.5M contract is fully guaranteed at signing. $30M is in the 1st 3 years of the deal.
 
Aaron Wilson ‏@RavensInsider  1m1 minute ago
Devin McCourty base salaries: $2.5M, $4.5M, $6.5M, $7.5M, $9M; $31,250 roster bonus per game active 2015 to 2019

 

[Ed Hillel]

 
Easy if they extend Solder, work out a Ghost extension and turn Browner's money into bonus. 

 
Yeah, it can be done, though I'm still not convinced a Ghost extension is going to work out. With kickers making 7 million or so guaranteed and him making 4.5 million this year alone, I'm not sure there's much to work with unless they are willing to commit some large money down the road. I think an Amendola cut is coming, and maybe they work something out with Mayo.

 

[jsinger121]

 

[theapportioner]

Ok, so they're about 10.5 million over with Revis at 25, which makes a Revis deal doable, but will require probably 5-8 million more be opened up soon thereafter to address other needs and the draft.

The other way to look at it is, they are about $10 million under, with the Pats not picking up the option. That's what they have to work with right now.

 

[Corsi]

Joel Corry ‏@corryjoel  3s3 seconds ago
Devin McCourty's 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019 cap numbers are $6M, $8M, $10M, $11M & $12.5M.

 

[Ed Hillel]

The other way to look at it is, they are about $10 million under, with the Pats not picking up the option. That's what they have to work with right now.

 
Yeah, I think 9.6. They'd have to be creative to get Revis under that, so some other move would have to come quickly. Post 1 June Amendola cut seems the most likely. A consideration is that being so close to the cap would hamper future negotiations with guys like Solder, who know they have the leverage of the Pats needing to get under. Working something out with Mayo fast would be quite nice, so that agents aren't holding Belichick's feet to the fire.

 

[RedOctober3829]

 
Yeah, I think 9.6. They'd have to be creative to get Revis under that, so some other move would have to come quickly. Post 1 June Amendola cut seems the most likely. A consideration is that being so close to the cap would hamper future negotiations with guys like Solder, who know they have the leverage of the Pats needing to get under. Working something out with Mayo fast would be quite nice, so that agents aren't holding Belichick's feet to the fire.

Miguel says they are at $9.56 million in cap space currently.

 

[DJnVa]

 
Yeah, I think 9.6. They'd have to be creative to get Revis under that, so some other move would have to come quickly. Post 1 June Amendola cut seems the most likely. A consideration is that being so close to the cap would hamper future negotiations with guys like Solder, who know they have the leverage of the Pats needing to get under. Working something out with Mayo fast would be quite nice, so that agents aren't holding Belichick's feet to the fire.

 
They likely have moves lined up to go if Revis agrees--if they're offering something that makes the cap hit larger than what we currently see as available, I've no doubt they know exactly how they'll get under it.

 

[RedOctober3829]

 

Ben Volin ‏@BenVolin  1m1 minute ago
Mr. @PatsCap confirms my hunch that McCourty contract will count towards #Patriots 2014 cash spending. Helps them get to that 89% floor
 

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

So, that's $7 million dead money in the last two years of the contract ($3.5 million per year).  I think Gronk also has $4 million in dead money in those two years ($2 million a year), so that's $11 million already borrowed from 2018 and 2019 ($5.5 million a year).  Revis would almost certainly involve adding more dead money in 2018 and 2019.  That's starting to get up there this far in advance.

 

[ZMart100]

So, that's $7 million dead money in the last two years of the contract ($3.5 million per year).  I think Gronk also has $4 million in dead money in those two years ($2 million a year), so that's $11 million already borrowed from 2018 and 2019 ($5.5 million a year).  Revis would almost certainly involve adding more dead money in 2018 and 2019.  That's starting to get up there this far in advance.

I get the 3/year from the signing bonus, but where are you seeing the extra 0.5?

 

[Stitch01]

 
Yeah, I think 9.6. They'd have to be creative to get Revis under that, so some other move would have to come quickly. Post 1 June Amendola cut seems the most likely. A consideration is that being so close to the cap would hamper future negotiations with guys like Solder, who know they have the leverage of the Pats needing to get under. Working something out with Mayo fast would be quite nice, so that agents aren't holding Belichick's feet to the fire.

Browner cut, 5.5, basically gets you there for Revis.

 

[Ed Hillel]

Browner cut, 5.5, basically gets you there for Revis.

 
I think it's 4.8, right? That's what PatsCap has, unless he's calculating with the Rule of 51 again. Either way, I agree it gets you there, I'd just be a tad surprised if it happens. It's too bad it's a roster bonus and not salary, since he'd probably be a real nice trade chip.
 
To be clear, if it comes down to being able to fit Revis in or not, I cut Browner in a heartbeat. I'm torn on Browner's overall value (Great in some matchups, worthless in others), but I think he's a nice toy to have.

 

[soxhop411]

Mike Loyko ‏@NEPD_Loyko  6s6 seconds ago
#Patriots did not file the McCourtry transaction through the league today. Hence, it's not on the league wire

 

[PedroKsBambino]

So, that's $7 million dead money in the last two years of the contract ($3.5 million per year).  I think Gronk also has $4 million in dead money in those two years ($2 million a year), so that's $11 million already borrowed from 2018 and 2019 ($5.5 million a year).  Revis would almost certainly involve adding more dead money in 2018 and 2019.  That's starting to get up there this far in advance.

 
I don't think it's a sure thing that'll happen, given salary inflation McCourty's deal then may not look bad.
 
Even if so, Pats (given BB and Brady's ages) are wise to be prioritizing 2015-17 over 2018-19.  If there is in fact a bill to pay those years, it'll be one paid by a team which had built up tremendous credit with its fans.

 

[amfox1]

 
They likely have moves lined up to go if Revis agrees--if they're offering something that makes the cap hit larger than what we currently see as available, I've no doubt they know exactly how they'll get under it.

 
Agreed.  For instance, they can release Dennard, Hooman and Tavon Wilson and save $4.5mm.  That would get them to $14mm in cap space.

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

I get the 3/year from the signing bonus, but where are you seeing the extra 0.5?

 
Was just doing the math using the tweets, subtracting the salary from the cap hit each year and presuming the total cap hit had to be $48.5m, but there could be an error in that method.

 

[Dan to Theo to Ben]

.5 is roster bonus.