2017 General NFL Transactions and News
- Thread starter RedOctober3829
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I wonder how long it took Cousins to sign the tag? He was probably waiting by the fax machine.
He ends up making and extra $2 million, because they tagged him last year so they actually have to pay him 120 percent of last year's amount ($24 million) even though the tag number otherwise would have been only $22 million. How you value contracts is debatable, but whether you consider Luck, Brees or someone else as the highest paid QB in the league this year, Kirk Freaking Counsins is going to make the same amount, give or take less than $1 million.
He ends up making and extra $2 million, because they tagged him last year so they actually have to pay him 120 percent of last year's amount ($24 million) even though the tag number otherwise would have been only $22 million. How you value contracts is debatable, but whether you consider Luck, Brees or someone else as the highest paid QB in the league this year, Kirk Freaking Counsins is going to make the same amount, give or take less than $1 million.
Probably already signed.
We're up to $44 over two years. If he plays here 2017 and they don't find a successor, then it's $28 for a transition tag next year. That brings you to $72,000,000 for three years, the most any NFL player has ever made in a three-year stretch, every penny of it against the cap.
Perfect is the enemy of good. The team's position has been as irrational as that of an investor who wants to buy this year's growth stock at last year's prices.
"Show me." He did.
We're up to $44 over two years. If he plays here 2017 and they don't find a successor, then it's $28 for a transition tag next year. That brings you to $72,000,000 for three years, the most any NFL player has ever made in a three-year stretch, every penny of it against the cap.
Perfect is the enemy of good. The team's position has been as irrational as that of an investor who wants to buy this year's growth stock at last year's prices.
"Show me." He did.
I know you're loving this and I am as well - I agree 100% with owners (especially Snyder) getting their financial comeuppance (especially Snyder) and players in general making every dime they can - but I'm wondering what their option really was?
I'm on record as stating I'm higher on Cousins than many here. I think he's top third of the league (comparisons to Ryan are laughable, imho, but if you want to go there, sure). That being said, it's not like it was a no-brained decision to lock him up long term. It was certainly a risk to franchise him last year rather than sign him, but he wouldn't have been the first QB to flash for a season and then get figured out. SF, Houston and many other teams have learned this the hard way.
There was a pretty substantial non zero chance that last season was an anomaly. They erred in not offering more than they did, but I'm not sure how much more would have been responsible and we have no idea how antagonistic their relationship is. I'm wondering what you and others think they should have done previous to last season as far as numbers on a contract.
Without knowing what Cousins was looking for, I bet it was actually an easy decision for Washington. I'm sure he was using some of the fairly recent $20 million guys as his comps, at least to start.
In that situation, for Washington, what does franchising him really cost you? The upside of extending him would be: (1) to use some of money you're paying him under the tag to put toward a longer deal, and (2) to get a structure that delays the cap hit. But Washington doesn't need cap relief. I guess it affects how much they can carry over. But who thinks about that very much? They still have lots of space. So, even if you can get Cousins for like $18m a year or so on a longer term deal, is the $6m savings in year 1 really worth the downside of the potential risk of a longer deal? I don't think they made a laughable decision.
But it really was a perfect storm for Cousins. It all fell into place for him to get paid like Andrew Luck for a year and to still be a FA in a good market next year at age 29.
In that situation, for Washington, what does franchising him really cost you? The upside of extending him would be: (1) to use some of money you're paying him under the tag to put toward a longer deal, and (2) to get a structure that delays the cap hit. But Washington doesn't need cap relief. I guess it affects how much they can carry over. But who thinks about that very much? They still have lots of space. So, even if you can get Cousins for like $18m a year or so on a longer term deal, is the $6m savings in year 1 really worth the downside of the potential risk of a longer deal? I don't think they made a laughable decision.
But it really was a perfect storm for Cousins. It all fell into place for him to get paid like Andrew Luck for a year and to still be a FA in a good market next year at age 29.
They could have presented Cousins with a genuine and maybe difficult choice by offering more guaranteed money in a long term extension than the one-year franchise tender. They didn't. Not even giving him something to think about added insult to injury.
In the process, they ignored the market, much less what would unfold in that market downstream with a rising salary cap and dearth of quality QBs. They did that by pretending the Osweiler contract did not exist. It may have been the product of fevered imagination, but it existed, was part of the market and could not sensibly be ignored.
What could they have done? Offered $45 million guaranteed. That's two years of the franchise tag. Maybe he signs it or maybe, like Flacco, he bets on himself and refuses. But at least you give yourself a chance and don't insult him.
And if they didn't believe in him last offseason? Get out of the Cousins business when the QB draft class was stronger and they had more options. Ballsy? Yes. But sensible too.
Now they are screwed. They will probably chase phantoms like Romo when they should be chasing Hoyer.
Trade him if you can. If you cannot, play him next season, be content with a third round compensatory pick and scramble like hell to find a suitable successor.
If they don't get this sorted out soon, it will hurt them in the free agent market, with their own FAs. They are paralyzed.
Edit. Think about this: in what world does it make sense to take the approach you are taking only if the player falls on his face? That is what they did last year.
In the process, they ignored the market, much less what would unfold in that market downstream with a rising salary cap and dearth of quality QBs. They did that by pretending the Osweiler contract did not exist. It may have been the product of fevered imagination, but it existed, was part of the market and could not sensibly be ignored.
What could they have done? Offered $45 million guaranteed. That's two years of the franchise tag. Maybe he signs it or maybe, like Flacco, he bets on himself and refuses. But at least you give yourself a chance and don't insult him.
And if they didn't believe in him last offseason? Get out of the Cousins business when the QB draft class was stronger and they had more options. Ballsy? Yes. But sensible too.
Now they are screwed. They will probably chase phantoms like Romo when they should be chasing Hoyer.
Trade him if you can. If you cannot, play him next season, be content with a third round compensatory pick and scramble like hell to find a suitable successor.
If they don't get this sorted out soon, it will hurt them in the free agent market, with their own FAs. They are paralyzed.
Edit. Think about this: in what world does it make sense to take the approach you are taking only if the player falls on his face? That is what they did last year.
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Kirk Cousins is going to make like $90MM guaranteed by the time this runs its course, good for him.
Having a QB in that above average/non-elite tier continues to be a really tough spot for teams. I probably agree that they should probably have moved Cousins last offseason or should move him now (although if I was Cousins now Id make it 100% clear I was hitting the open market next year if the Redskins trade me, he's better off staying in that offense/system for another year now), but man that's hard to sell to a fanbase. At the same time, I think signing Cousins to a giant long-term deal sort of caps where the Redskins can go as a team. Those mid-tier massive QB extensions have mostly been a path to team mediocrity and a Cousins contract was going to be the worst of the bunch.
Having a QB in that above average/non-elite tier continues to be a really tough spot for teams. I probably agree that they should probably have moved Cousins last offseason or should move him now (although if I was Cousins now Id make it 100% clear I was hitting the open market next year if the Redskins trade me, he's better off staying in that offense/system for another year now), but man that's hard to sell to a fanbase. At the same time, I think signing Cousins to a giant long-term deal sort of caps where the Redskins can go as a team. Those mid-tier massive QB extensions have mostly been a path to team mediocrity and a Cousins contract was going to be the worst of the bunch.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/02/28/jets-tell-revis-theyre-releasing-him/
Belichick wins again.
Belichick wins again.
According to OTC, Revis only costs the Jets $6m in cap space if they cut him before free agency, which they did. https://overthecap.com/player/darrelle-revis/980
Also, as I understand it, the Jets get an offset for 2017 for every dollar that Revis makes with another team. Even if it is signing bonus. So, unless he retires, the Jets are not going to even have to pay the full $6 million that he's guaranteed this year, which reduces the cap charge on a first dollar in basis.
The Jets structured that contract right. Yeah, he was overpaid but they gave him zero bonus and did not mortgage their future. They took their cap medicine up front paying for what figured to be his best two years.
Also, as I understand it, the Jets get an offset for 2017 for every dollar that Revis makes with another team. Even if it is signing bonus. So, unless he retires, the Jets are not going to even have to pay the full $6 million that he's guaranteed this year, which reduces the cap charge on a first dollar in basis.
The Jets structured that contract right. Yeah, he was overpaid but they gave him zero bonus and did not mortgage their future. They took their cap medicine up front paying for what figured to be his best two years.
Since cap money rolls over, it's basically the same as mortgaging the future. Bottom line is he cost them 39 million in cap space for 2 years of play - one of which was averagish and the other of which was terrible. The Jets played it like dogshit.
Correct. They paid more for Revis for the last 2 years than the Pats did for Brady.
He wasn't worth what they paid him the last two years but they get a clean break. Or at least partially clean depending on where he goes. If they'd paid him $25m of the $39m in signing bonus, they'd have at least $15m more in cap hits coming. Who knows if they really would have rolled it all forward?
Everyone makes bad signings. There were plenty here who probably would have jumped at a 2/32 contract if we could have gotten it. At least they limited the damage to two years where, in retrospect, whether he was great or shitty didn't much matter because nobody could throw the ball to Jets players.
Everyone makes bad signings. There were plenty here who probably would have jumped at a 2/32 contract if we could have gotten it. At least they limited the damage to two years where, in retrospect, whether he was great or shitty didn't much matter because nobody could throw the ball to Jets players.
You're saying that plenty of SoSH posters wouldn't necessarily be better at running an NFL team than Jets management? I don't know about that one...
Edit: changed to english
You cannot see twitter postings in the app as they are not parsed correctly.
That's why some people also post the contents in plaintext.
Adam SchefterVerified account @AdamSchefter 1h1 hour ago
Texans not expected to use franchise tag on standout CB A.J. Bouye, per source. Doesn't mean they won't re-sign him; just no tag.
The man is going to get paid. He was fantastic in the divisional round vs. the Pats.
Texans not expected to use franchise tag on standout CB A.J. Bouye, per source. Doesn't mean they won't re-sign him; just no tag.
The man is going to get paid. He was fantastic in the divisional round vs. the Pats.
Just a quick question about the whole "setting the market" idea. The Texans gave Osweiler a crazy contract last year, and I've heard people say that that "set the market" for what other FA QB could expect this year. Why does one stupid contract "set the market"? Why don't other GMs simply say, uh, no, just because the Texans made one idiotic deal doesn't mean that the rest of us are gonna do that? Why does one dumb contract mean that everyone else has to start paying that kind of money?
So in this case, if someone offered Ryan crazy money, why does that mean that someone ELSE needs to pay Bouye that kind of crazy money?
Both are good moves, I think, although the instant replay thing could go awry in terms of the perception of "fixing"
It doesn't mean you have to. The option is paying it or not getting the player. Your choice.
I guess my question is why don't the other owners recognize when a stupid contract is given out? In other words, one owner hands out a ridiculous contract, and now everyone else just shrugs and says, well, I guess now we ALL have to start paying that kind of money for similar players? Why don't the other owners just go, oh wow THAT was stupid, and not go there?
Or is it the case if one guy goes there, SOMEONE else will, and as long as someone else will, the next player in line is gonna get that kind of money?
In other words, it sounds like one owner's stupidity basically forces that same stupidity on everyone else. Which is just even more stupidity.
and it actually happened again in the "no cap" year, but they didn't get nailed for it this time by getting the NFLPA to wash their hands of going after the NFL when they settled the last CBA.
It's a fair point but there are reasons this happens:
1. Few contracts are that obviously stupid. Given how rapid the salary cap has risen, GMs don't really have perfect information about whether a contract was truly stupid or whether a contract was a true reflection of the new state of the market.
2. GMs often have to show success in a time frame that's shorter than contract structures. So if one player gets a stupid contract and a GM thinks getting the other requires a similar contract that GM may offer a similar contract as long as cap hits are spread to years 4 and 5.
3. Some of the "stupid" contracts do end up affecting the overall market in future because they affect franchise tag values. And if a bad CB contract pulls up future franchise tag value for a CB this also means it'll affect future and present valuations for a CB.
Trumaine Johnson got the franchise tag from the Rams. He would be the highest paid CB in the NFL at $16 million/yr if he plays under it.
Yeah, that's not what I'm thinking about. I'm not suggesting they all sit around together and decide collectively not to pay players XYZ. I'm just thinking that if one owner signs a player to a ridiculous contract, all the other owners independently (and correctly) think, "Geez that's frigging ridiculous, I'm not paying anyone THAT kind of money at that position." That obviously wouldn't be collusion.
Yeah, fair points.
Adam SchefterVerified account @AdamSchefter 9m9 minutes ago
NFL hopes to relax penalties for excessive celebrations, per @kevinseifert. http://es.pn/2lzob7U
NFL hopes to relax penalties for excessive celebrations, per @kevinseifert. http://es.pn/2lzob7U
Adam SchefterVerified account @AdamSchefter 38s38 seconds ago
James Harrison and Steelers reached agreement on 2 year, $3.5 million deal, per source.
I can't believe he is still playing
James Harrison and Steelers reached agreement on 2 year, $3.5 million deal, per source.
I can't believe he is still playing
Can anyone tell me why Colin Kaepernick would opt out of a multimillion dollar contract?
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18805744/colin-kaepernick-stand-national-anthem-next-season
Ignore the parts about the anthem.
Better contract story link: http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18796373/colin-kaepernick-san-francisco-49ers-opts-contract
$14.5 million for 2017?
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18805744/colin-kaepernick-stand-national-anthem-next-season
Ignore the parts about the anthem.
Better contract story link: http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18796373/colin-kaepernick-san-francisco-49ers-opts-contract
$14.5 million for 2017?
He thinks he can get more in a less-than-stellar QB draft and minimal other FA options for the dozen or so teams that need a QB.
Or he and his agent don't think it's likely he'll see that.
The money is not guaranteed so SF can cut him at any time. By opting out he controls the timing and can work on deals at the start of FA before teams sign other QBs.
But probably they feel he'll make more.
The money is not guaranteed so SF can cut him at any time. By opting out he controls the timing and can work on deals at the start of FA before teams sign other QBs.
But probably they feel he'll make more.
Not anymore it's not, but it was before last year. He may have been crazy to restructure the way he did, costing himself that amount in guarantees:
Totally crazy move for 2017 Kaepernick. Would have been a boss decision for 2012-2013 Kaepernick though. Wonder if coaching (Edit: or ownership being nucking futs) had anything to do with the difference...
Joe Banner said yesterday that he has never seen an NFL player with this kind of negotiating leverage. It's greater today with the McCloughan circus.
Wild ass guess. By middle of next week, Cousins is extended. Five years for $120 with $80 MM guaranteed. Last year netted him $20. Bringing total haul to at least $100 MM after modest rookie deal as 4th round draftee.
This is WAG not grounded In reporting. Franchise in crisis. Kirk is smart enough not to push this too far.
Adam SchefterVerified account @AdamSchefter 47m47 minutes ago
Eagles win coin toss and pick 14th in first round; Colts lose flip and pick 15th.
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Banner: "Mid-Round Coin Toss Participant 2017"
Eagles win coin toss and pick 14th in first round; Colts lose flip and pick 15th.
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Banner: "Mid-Round Coin Toss Participant 2017"
Rappaport: Play a potential and unprecedented three-way deal forward… #49ers inquire about Cousins. #Redskins talk about Tony Romo. #Cowboys get picks
Why to Washington if Denver is in the hunt to? If this goes down, I guess Dallas believes Romo is toast and doesn't care about him playing in the division.
ProFootballTalkVerified account @ProFootballTalk 11m11 minutes ago
If Cowboys are willing to send Romo to Washington, Washington should be very leery.
If Cowboys are willing to send Romo to Washington, Washington should be very leery.
Eh. If the draft picks outweigh the incremental value that Romo gives the Redskins over Cousins, Jerrah makes that trade between hits of Viagra.
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