Brandon Beane on "easily" creating more Cap Space, as popularly stated

[BillsFanForever19]

One thing I keep seeing over and over is fans saying that Brandon Beane can "easily" create more cap space without detriment. Every time someone becomes available - it's the same thing. 

 

But I think you all should listen to Brandon's words. Just because you feel he "can" doesn't mean he will or he wants to. 

 

Below, you'll find his latest press conference. From 37:15 - 38:47 he discusses this thought process. I've also transcribed it if you can't watch the video atm:

 

 

Quote

Joe B: This is for Brandon - when a team is so tight to the cap, like as you guys have referenced you are so often, a popular thing is people just going "okay, well, just convert this base salary into a signing bonus". But I'm just wondering what the level of caution you need to have when you actually decide to do those things? And in terms of long term ramifications - when you still have to get your franchise Quarterback under contract for the long term?

 

Brandon: Yeah, you know that's the big thing for us is, ya know - we haven't finalized the deal with Josh. And that's the biggest piece. Not only this year, but for years to come. And working every other deal around that. Ya know and obviously the uncertainty of the cap changed things for us. But you know, you can fit as much as you want, as you well know with converting and restructuring and all these things. But the more you do that, the more you kick it down the road. And so - not that we won't use it - but this year, we had to already be a little more creative than I had planned a year ago, Joe. But it's not something I want to make a habit of. I like to be able to not have an albatross staring at me, ya know, the next two years down the road. So we'll try and keep deals so that we can get in and get out of them and not, ya know, all of a sudden you get right to the threshold and you gotta every year release 4, 5, or 6 players just to get under the Cap. It's just - I've been a part of that before and it's not something I enjoy doing.

 

Edited March 23, 2021 by BillsFanForever19

[Aussie Joe]

Quote

And so - not that we won't use it - but this year, we had to already be a little more creative than I had planned a year ago, Joe. But it's not something I want to make a habit of. 

 

So he is prepared to do if need be

[The Wiz]

Well reading the transcript I can tell "ya know" is his version of Doug saying "obviously" 

[BillsFanForever19]

Just now, The Wiz said:

Well reading the transcript I can tell "ya know" is his version of Doug saying "obviously" 

 

Funny thing is - I actually cut some of it out in transcription 😆

[TBBills]

8 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

One thing I keep seeing over and over is fans saying that Brandon Beane can "easily" create more cap space without detriment. Every time someone becomes available - it's the same thing. 

 

But I think you all should listen to Brandon's words. Just because you feel he "can" doesn't mean he will or he wants to. 

 

Below, you'll find his latest press conference. From 37:15 - 38:47 he discusses this thought process. I've also transcribed it if you can't watch the video atm:

 

 

 

He just doesn't want people to learn the secret. A magician doesn't show their tricks. And a Wizard doesnt share his wizardly doings.

Edited March 23, 2021 by TBBills

[Aussie Joe]

3 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

That's really cherry picking around everything else he said and how he finished.

 

I predict he will end up doing it

 

Edited March 23, 2021 by Aussie Joe

[The Wiz]

3 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

Funny thing is - I actually cut some of it out in transcription 😆

Well sometimes, Ya know, you have to do that. 

Edited March 23, 2021 by The Wiz

[Malazan]

2 minutes ago, TBBills said:

He just doesn't want people to learn the secret. A magician doesn't show their tricks. And a Wizard doesnt share his wizardly doings.

 

Ya know, looking at him.. he looks like he'd be a Slytherin 

[BillsFanForever19]

1 minute ago, Aussie Joe said:

 

I predict he will end up doing it

 

 

I'm not saying it's impossible. I'm simply saying this rampant "he can make money" like it's a thing he'll definitively do - his words and actions (not doing it while the market dries up) speaks otherwise.

[Aussie Joe]

Just now, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

I'm not saying it's impossible. I'm simply saying this rampant "he can make money" like it's a thing he'll definitively do - his words and actions (not doing it while the market dries up) speaks otherwise.

 

I agree he doesnt like to do it and is trying real hard not to, but I think they might have another move in them this FA period and I dont think they can free up any money otherwise...

 

 

 

 

[Rochesterfan]

3 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

One thing I keep seeing over and over is fans saying that Brandon Beane can "easily" create more cap space without detriment. Every time someone becomes available - it's the same thing. 

 

But I think you all should listen to Brandon's words. Just because you feel he "can" doesn't mean he will or he wants to. 

 

Below, you'll find his latest press conference. From 37:15 - 38:47 he discusses this thought process. I've also transcribed it if you can't watch the video atm:

 

 

 

 

Nice.  The issue isn’t that he can’t create the space - the biggest issue that there is still uncertainty in the Cap levels for the next 2 years before the new media package takes place.  He is being smart and saving it unless the perfect player or trade lines up that could really help ensure the future of the team.

 

The NFL has nearly 30 million in lost cap space per team to recoup after this year.  The Cap would have dropped into the 150 million range and instead they agreed to 183.  No one know exactly how much of the CAP will be pulled from next year after the pandemic to start to balance out the lost revenue.

 

If you make a general assumption that the Cap would have risen to the expected levels for this year - that would put the Cap at 212 million and if they recollect all 30 million lost - the Cap could stay flat at 182/183 million and the teams that kicked a bunch into next year suddenly have a lot more kicking to do. 
 

If they split it over 2 years - the Cap could be 195 and basically back to what it was before the pandemic.  This is all assuming that everything in stadium returns to normal.  If there are issues and stadiums are reduced - that Cap could shrink.  With the additional regular season game the Cap could rise - although they are losing a preseason game - which was free revenue.

 

The other issue is with our current roster - unless The Cap goes up toward 215 million - we are already getting up against it for next year and he has Josh and Edmunds contracts to deal with - both 5th year options that will get exercised.  He will be using the restructures next year to gain the space and if he uses them this year - he already kicked some into next year and has to kick even more into the following year.  
 

He is not afraid to do it, but eventually kicking the bonuses and salary forward gets you hamstrung until 2024 and the new media that will blow up the current Cap level and start things resetting.  Don’t blow it all this year and make it hard to do things next year and cost yourself a shot in FA next year.

 

Beane is not just looking at 2021 - he is planning 2022 and 2023 to ensure he can keep the team together, improve it, and most important bring home a championship without losing your core.

[Buffalo_Stampede]

Fact is he could've. Fact is there are risks. 

 

We all know. 

[thurst44]

28 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

One thing I keep seeing over and over is fans saying that Brandon Beane can "easily" create more cap space without detriment. Every time someone becomes available - it's the same thing. 

 

But I think you all should listen to Brandon's words. Just because you feel he "can" doesn't mean he will or he wants to. 

 

Below, you'll find his latest press conference. From 37:15 - 38:47 he discusses this thought process. I've also transcribed it if you can't watch the video atm:

 

 

 

Funny thing: I watched the exact same conference you did and got a slightly different idea of what he meant and I felt it vindicated my point too (as he is pursuing players still)--something that can happen when a guy who plays his cards close to his chest speaks (you know, any GM really). He said that it was a possibility, and he wanted to be very careful before doing it that he isn't backed into a corner. He also said that he was talking with players both returning and new players and would still be pursuing players, just not high-priced players. 

 

I don't know if it was you with whom I was talking, but the thread that I got into a debate, the other person was saying they could not possibly sign any of the three positions in the original location and that there were ways to free up money without bankrupting them for the future. I'm pretty sure I said almost exactly what he said: that he would target players who were willing to take a lower contract when the money dried up in the strange off-season. If you asked me if they were likely to sign Adoree Jackson to the contract he signed for the Giants, I would say an emphatic no. Making space to sign huge contracts is indeed how you get into cap hell.

 

That said, I still can't understand the Rams and how they somehow keep signing players while in cap hell for years.

 

Also, we are currently slightly over the cap, so no matter what, we're going to have to make SOME restructures. 

Edited March 23, 2021 by thurst44

[stinky finger]

21 minutes ago, jeremy2020 said:

 

Ya know, looking at him.. he looks like he'd be a Slytherin 

 

Hufflepuff!

 

Sincerely,

Sorting Hat

Edited March 23, 2021 by inaugural balls

[eee1776]

The truth is as much as Bean hates doing it, he will have to do something. Considering we are 3.4 mill over the cap not counting today's signing. This minus cap number will not disappear on it own. Will he cut someone? or restructure. 

[BillsFanForever19]

1 minute ago, thurst44 said:

I don't know if it was you with whom I was talking, but the thread that I got into a debate, the other person was saying they could not possibly sign any of the three positions in the original location and that there were ways to free up money without bankrupting them for the future. I'm pretty sure I said almost exactly what he said: that he would target players who were willing to take a lower contract when the money dried up in the strange off-season. If you asked me if they were likely to sign Adoree Jackson to the contract he signed for the Giants, I would say an emphatic no. Making space to sign huge contracts is indeed how you get into cap hell.

 

It wasn't me. And I think we could make a small move or two with, say, a Hughes extension/re-structure. But this whole "go get em - we can find the space" mentality when a guy like Kyle Fuller or Adoree Jackson comes available is just ridiculous.

[MJS]

2 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

It wasn't me. And I think we could make a small move or two with, say, a Hughes extension/re-structure. But this whole "go get em - we can find the space" mentality when a guy like Kyle Fuller or Adoree Jackson comes available is just ridiculous.

Especially since most of these guys are nothing more than average or above players. Paying a guy like he is elite will not turn him into an elite player.

 

A lot of these guys are not huge difference makers, and the ones who are rarely see free agency.

[CaptnCoke11]

Step 1 to cap jail... restructure contracts to push money to future years.  

[thurst44]

2 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

It wasn't me. And I think we could make a small move or two with, say, a Hughes extension/re-structure. But this whole "go get em - we can find the space" mentality when a guy like Kyle Fuller or Adoree Jackson comes available is just ridiculous.

I agree, but the only thing I will add is that people who think that might have underestimated what those two might get and that's understandable in such a weird year. You wonder if at some point the market will dry up and given that 13 teams started worse than the Bills, maybe Fuller or Jackson would hit a wall and if they could get them for 6 or 7 mil contracts or 10/yr where the cap hit this year is much lower than the other years, you might do it. That was never going to happen, but I doubt most reasonable people thought the Bills were going to easily make 13m of space for one player.

[Malazan]

18 minutes ago, Rochesterfan said:

Nice.  The issue isn’t that he can’t create the space - the biggest issue that there is still uncertainty in the Cap levels for the next 2 years before the new media package takes place.  He is being smart and saving it unless the perfect player or trade lines up that could really help ensure the future of the team.

 

People don't seem to get if you use up all your flexibility to make room than you no longer have flexibility to create room. They seem to believe you can just kick the can to next year and magically do it all over again.