Yes, I would think that compensation going forward is going to have to be about $25 million/year in one form or another unless Brady is feeling very generous. Maybe they could get it down a little from that, but expecting him to play for less is just expecting him to be very generous. He's not going to take less than Ryan Tannehill makes, for example. I would think the Drew Brees contract is a good comp. Maybe he agrees to, what, $22? Ok. Maybe. If I'm Don Yee, I think I start with Jimmy G as an absolute bottom and see what happens.
I believe proration can happen at any time, including in the middle of a year.
Yup, this is pretty much right. And then figuring out future year cap hits depends on what the contract is going forward. And you make a good point that none of this is going to give them any relief before August.
They also have to think about how high they are willing to go on cap hit next year. Suppose they are willing to kick the can one year down the road and stay at $27 million. That only works if you get Brady to take a relatively low number for playing in 2020.
No matter what you do, if you're talking about a one year extension, the cap hit next year is going to be equal to 2020 compensation plus cap savings this year. There is no other way to make it happen. Whatever form the 2020 compensation takes -- guaranteed money now or salary and bonuses next year -- however you do it, 2020 cap hit will always be 2019 cap savings plus 2020 compensation. It's a zero sum game. So, if they can get him to play in 2020 for $22 million in new money, the cap hit next year will be $22 million plus whatever you shave off the $27 million this year. So, a $5 million savings this year equals $27 million cap hit next year. Adjust upwards as necessary depending on 2020 comp.