Cap Space Thread

[Magox]

58 minutes ago, PrimeTime101 said:

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/buffalo-bills/cap/_/year/2025/sort/cap_dead/dir/desc

 

we are a little under cap by 6.5 mil. I do not see any other contract extensions that is going to give us much more than this. Maybe we can get to +10 mil? 

 

This doesn't include the Josh Allen deal which should provide significant savings, if it had been an extension then I think we could have said that it would have saved about $11M in cap savings but since its a brand new deal, not exactly sure since there is no reference point to compare to.  This truly was something new and innovative. 

 

If I had to take a guess it would probably save somewhere between $8 - $20M in cap savings.    I think we are probably somewhere around $15 - $25M under the cap.

 

Other things they could do.

 

Extend Cook:  Would provide around $3.4m in cap savings

Extend Benford:  Would provide around $1.8M in cap savings

Restructure Dion Dawkins: would provide around $9.8M in cap savings

Cut Daquan Jones:  Would provide about $1.8 in cap savings

Restructure Ed Oliver:  Would provide around $8.7M in cap savings

Extend Conner McGovern:  Would provide $4.2M in cap savings

Cut Trubisky:  Would provide $2.5M in cap savings

Pay cut for Dawson Knox:  Could be between $2-$3M in cap savings

 

This is around another $30M on top of the approximately $20M they are under now.

 

Not saying they will do all these things but these would be reasonable moves that I believe could fit in to their long term goals.

[Magox]

1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Good players don't move the dial for me really. We have loads of good players. My hope was finding a way to add a high end difference maker. Maybe Hendrikson still qualifies as that, but adding a 30 year old tier 2 edge rusher doesn't get me jumping off my chair either in all truth. 

 

That's why I am in on Holland. I think he is the closest to an elite player at his position of everyone in the FA / known available trade pool.

 

I would love to get an upper echelon player as well but they aren't easy to obtain.   Hendrickson is one and Holland who is coming off a down year is another one.

 

With that said, not sure if the Bengals will trade him to a team like the Bills who could end up facing each other.   He's one of the premier pass rushers and even at age 30 he is going to have a strong market for his services.  

 

The Bills game against the Chiefs the past two years could have gone either way, they were right there so its not as if a major overhaul is needed.  The talent they had the past couple years, just a couple better executed plays and the Bills are in the Super Bowl.  While I'd like to get a game changer, the odds of landing one at this stage are pretty slim.   I do think they Bills will make a serious attempt at Hendrickson and possibly Javon Holland.

 

But the FA class looks weak this year which most likely means that there will be a higher overpay than normal for FA's in the first few days.  I wouldn't be surprised that Sweat could end up getting a deal around $25M AAV or that Holland ends up getting $20M+ AAV.   

 

I do think the Bills could overpay if they truly believe that Holland would help the team a lot, which I think he could so it will be interesting to see what he ends up signing for.   Personally, I'd love for the to go for DJ Reed, but I haven't heard any buzz for him at all and have been hearing he could go to the Giants.   

 

I think at WR the Bills will go for either Lockett or Palmer and then use one of their first 3 draft picks on a WR.

[No_Matter_What]

31 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

He does. He still isn't in the class of a Garrett or a Crosby. And he is 30. I like Trey a lot. I wanted him when he was leaving the Saints. But he isn't in that true elite territory, he is just a tick below that. Similar to how I saw DK as a wide receiver. But DK is 3 years younger.  

Speaking of Metcalf, would you do the trade Steelers did and pay him the way they did (granted we don't know the details yet)?

[gonzo1105]

34 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

He does. He still isn't in the class of a Garrett or a Crosby. And he is 30. I like Trey a lot. I wanted him when he was leaving the Saints. But he isn't in that true elite territory, he is just a tick below that. Similar to how I saw DK as a wide receiver. But DK is 3 years younger. 

 

Hendrikson will come wanting a long term deal because if he leaves Cincy that is why. And then you are back where you were with Von. Offering a 4 or 5 year deal when really you only expect him to play 2 or 3 on it. If the Bengals cut him and you can do that without the draft capital cost that is one thing. If you have to give up a day two pick and know at the point you re-do his deal you are bound to give yourself a dead cap headache at the end.... yea, I'm not sure how excited that makes me. 

You’re beating a dead point. We had no shot at getting Crosby or Garrett. So this discussion on those players are mute. Metcalf play but I think a lot of people can argue he isn’t a 33 million a year Tier 1 player either. Beyond that who is tier 1 elite player that is available that we know of in the trade market 

[Low Positive]

1 minute ago, gonzo1105 said:

You’re beating a dead point. We had no shot at getting Crosby or Garrett. So this discussion on those players are mute. Metcalf play but I think a lot of people can argue he isn’t a 33 million a year Tier 1 player either. Beyond that who is tier 1 elite player that is available that we know of in the trade market 

Elite players don't get traded or hit FA until they are at the end of their careers. What Beane has to do is find a player that he feels is being underutilized on another team. They did this with Connor McGovern. In other words, I don't want Trey Hendrickson now. I want the version of him that signed in Cincinnati. 

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

So do wonder, prior to noon today, how many deals are already sort of worked out.  Does Beane already know who will be announced to day going to sign in Buffalo and have 98% of the $$'s worked out?? 

 

I'm thinking it's not Beane talking to anyone direct, but Beane talks to someone who talks to an agent who contacts the players agent.  This way no charges of tampering can arise, plus all the teams likely do the same so nobody will report anyone else.

[GunnerBill]

29 minutes ago, No_Matter_What said:

Speaking of Metcalf, would you do the trade Steelers did and pay him the way they did (granted we don't know the details yet)?

 

I wouldn't pay him $33m AAV, no. I said before the trade happened yesterday... $30m AAV with about a half guaranteed was my upper limit. 

28 minutes ago, gonzo1105 said:

You’re beating a dead point. We had no shot at getting Crosby or Garrett. So this discussion on those players are mute. Metcalf play but I think a lot of people can argue he isn’t a 33 million a year Tier 1 player either. Beyond that who is tier 1 elite player that is available that we know of in the trade market 

 

I'm not beating any horse. And no, I don't think Metcalf is worth that money or a Tier 1 player either. 

 

I'm just stating exactly what you are stating. The Bills have the space they just don't have the guys to use that space on. I'm sure they will add some good players. That's fine. I'll no doubt like some deals they do and like others less. But I don't think lack of good players has been their issue. It has been lack of great ones.

[gonzo1105]

4 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I wouldn't pay him $33m AAV, no. I said before the trade happened yesterday... $30m AAV with about a half guaranteed was my upper limit. 

 

I'm not beating any horse. And no, I don't think Metcalf is worth that money or a Tier 1 player either. 

 

I'm just stating exactly what you are stating. The Bills have the space they just don't have the guys to use that space on. I'm sure they will add some good players. That's fine. I'll no doubt like some deals they do and like others less. But I don't think lack of good players has been their issue. It has been lack of great ones.

Right I get that but there are none available , we’re gonna have to draft them.  We all know they need more elite players. 

[GunnerBill]

46 minutes ago, Magox said:

 

This doesn't include the Josh Allen deal which should provide significant savings, if it had been an extension then I think we could have said that it would have saved about $11M in cap savings but since its a brand new deal, not exactly sure since there is no reference point to compare to.  This truly was something new and innovative. 

 

If I had to take a guess it would probably save somewhere between $8 - $20M in cap savings.    I think we are probably somewhere around $15 - $25M under the cap.

 

Other things they could do.

 

Extend Cook:  Would provide around $3.4m in cap savings

Extend Benford:  Would provide around $1.8M in cap savings

Restructure Dion Dawkins: would provide around $9.8M in cap savings

Cut Daquan Jones:  Would provide about $1.8 in cap savings

Restructure Ed Oliver:  Would provide around $8.7M in cap savings

Extend Conner McGovern:  Would provide $4.2M in cap savings

Cut Trubisky:  Would provide $2.5M in cap savings

Pay cut for Dawson Knox:  Could be between $2-$3M in cap savings

 

This is around another $30M on top of the approximately $20M they are under now.

 

Not saying they will do all these things but these would be reasonable moves that I believe could fit in to their long term goals.

 

Which levers they pull depends on what they want to do / can do with the money they save. If they think the market is pretty thin they will make two or three smaller moves and resist the temptation to kick the can on any existing deals. If they think there are a couple of bigger ticket items worth investing in they will do it and move money around.

Just now, gonzo1105 said:

Right I get that but there are none available , we’re gonna have to draft them.  We all know they need more elite players. 

 

Yea you are essentially repeating exactly my point.

[Magox]

2 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Which levers they pull depends on what they want to do / can do with the money they save. If they think the market is pretty thin they will make two or three smaller moves and resist the temptation to kick the can on any existing deals. If they think there are a couple of bigger ticket items worth investing in they will do it and move money around.

 

Yea you are essentially repeating exactly my point.

 

I think they will look to first go after a few options of upper tier difference making players and see if they can make it happen.   If not, then they will most likely round out the team with quality need and value need players.

 

At the end of the day, they have to draft well and hope that guys like Kincaid, Coleman, Bishop, Carter and Soloman take steps to improving in their second/third year.  If those guys can all improve that would go a long way.

[PrimeTime101]

On 3/10/2025 at 9:40 AM, Magox said:

 

This doesn't include the Josh Allen deal which should provide significant savings, if it had been an extension then I think we could have said that it would have saved about $11M in cap savings but since its a brand new deal, not exactly sure since there is no reference point to compare to.  This truly was something new and innovative. 

 

If I had to take a guess it would probably save somewhere between $8 - $20M in cap savings.    I think we are probably somewhere around $15 - $25M under the cap.

 

Other things they could do.

 

Extend Cook:  Would provide around $3.4m in cap savings

Extend Benford:  Would provide around $1.8M in cap savings

Restructure Dion Dawkins: would provide around $9.8M in cap savings

Cut Daquan Jones:  Would provide about $1.8 in cap savings

Restructure Ed Oliver:  Would provide around $8.7M in cap savings

Extend Conner McGovern:  Would provide $4.2M in cap savings

Cut Trubisky:  Would provide $2.5M in cap savings

Pay cut for Dawson Knox:  Could be between $2-$3M in cap savings

 

This is around another $30M on top of the approximately $20M they are under now.

 

Not saying they will do all these things but these would be reasonable moves that I believe could fit in to their long term goals.

you push all this money "down field" eventually your going to eventually be put right back into the worst team in cap hell down the road.. naw.. We have to stomach some of this.. this year.. 

[BarleyNY]

https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/buffalo-bills

 

OTC has Bills at $2.7M in cap space but does not include Palmer deal or Bernard extension. I expect restructures to start soon.

 

Edit: Major mistake caught by @Kirby Jackson. Allen’s new contract isn’t there yet. My bad. 

Edited 10 hours ago by BarleyNY

[GASabresIUFan]

Until we know all the cap savings in the extensions, we won't have a clear idea of how much we have or don't have.  Obviously Beane knows the exact figure.  They have to be cap compliant by 1 pm today, but after that I think teams can do what they want as long as they don't need to be cap compliant again for months.  

 

 

[ColoradoBills]

13 minutes ago, PrimeTime101 said:

you push all this money "down field" eventually your going to eventually be put right back into the worst team in cap hell down the road.. naw.. We have to stomach some of this.. this year.. 

 

Agree you can't push every player out.

 

The biggest question I have is how Josh's new contract will be handled.

So many (most) new QB contracts for franchise guys have a ton of money pushed out to the end and even past the contract years.

That opens up a lot of money.

I have typically been conservative with the cap (kind of like Beane) BUT I think it's time to do it.

Worry about the consequences when Josh is on the downside of his 30s.

 

[BarleyNY]

3 minutes ago, GASabresIUFan said:

Until we know all the cap savings in the extensions, we won't have a clear idea of how much we have or don't have.  Obviously Beane knows the exact figure.  They have to be cap compliant by 1 pm today, but after that I think teams can do what they want as long as they don't need to be cap compliant again for months.  

 

 

OTC has a calculator that allows you to play around with restructures, etc. to get an idea of what’s possible. Obviously we have to wait and see what the Bills are willing to do there though. 

[No_Matter_What]

17 minutes ago, BarleyNY said:

https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/buffalo-bills

 

OTC has Bills at $2.7M in cap space but does not include Palmer deal or Bernard extension. I expect restructures to start soon.

I don't think we need any extensions right now. Bernard extension probably lowers his hit and that is enough to absorb Palmer's contract. But then there is also Allen's extension not accounted for and I guess it lowers the cap hit too. We should have room now.

[BarleyNY]

45 minutes ago, No_Matter_What said:

I don't think we need any extensions right now. Bernard extension probably lowers his hit and that is enough to absorb Palmer's contract. But then there is also Allen's extension not accounted for and I guess it lowers the cap hit too. We should have room now.

Let’s see. Palmer will replace the cap hit from #51, which is $844k. Bernard will likely have his $3.406M salary replaced by $1.125M vet min. Palmer likely will also have a $1.125M salary. So only cap hits from their signing and w/o bonuses to add to that. That puts them at a gain of $312k of space minus the bonuses. So it will be a net loss of space, but I’m unsure if it’ll be more than the $3M we’d have otherwise. Really depends on structure. Even if they can squeeze it, it’ll be razor thin so they’ll want to create a little space to have ready for their next signing. 

 

Also I’m not sure if all of the cap adjustments (performance bonuses, insurance, etc.) are through yet. If not, that will change things a bit too. Edit: OTC doesn’t have a line item for adjustments (which is frustrating) but Spotrac does and has zeros. So they’re still not out to the public yet. Teams have had them though. 

Edited 10 hours ago by BarleyNY

[Kirby Jackson]

1 hour ago, BarleyNY said:

https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/buffalo-bills

 

OTC has Bills at $2.7M in cap space but does not include Palmer deal or Bernard extension. I expect restructures to start soon.

It doesn’t include Josh’s deal either which is the big 1. After the extensions, the cap guys were saying that they were $20Mish under and needed about $2.5M for the draft. I’d suspect that they currently have like $13M of cap space to play with. 

[BarleyNY]

1 minute ago, Kirby Jackson said:

It doesn’t include Josh’s deal either which is the big 1. After the extensions, the cap guys were saying that they were $20Mish under and needed about $2.5M for the draft. I’d suspect that they currently have like $13M of cap space to play with. 

Crap. That’s correct. Missed it because he had 4 years left on his last contract and I thought it was filled in with the new one. Well, that’s going to make an enormous difference so never mind on the numbers above.