Lions have 1st, 2nd and 2 3rd round picks this draft!!
Check out our salary cap position, Bravo Brad Holmes!!
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gonna shift with Goff et all’s contracts, but maaaaaan…we have options
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So I am not sure this is entirely a true statement when it comes to Goff. His cap hit is #3 overall for 2023 in the NFL. But his salary is #16 in total cash. I really have never dug into the salary cap and how it is massaged. But I do not see the Goff signing as something that will negatively impact the Lions cap space. I think part of the current issue with his salary is he came over in a trade so I am guessing (and I mean pulling it out of my ass) that the Lions hands were a bit tied with how his cap hit came in.
Now I will say that I think the Sewell/ARSB/Hutch 2nd contracts are going to put a serious dent into the Lions overall cap. Those 3 are a problem. I worry that the Lions may have to part ways with ARSB. And I get it. That seems assine and insane. But I do not see how you walk away from elite linemen. But your WR are the one area you can roll the dice. I do not want to ever see ARSB in another uniform. He is one of my favorites. But at some point decisions will need to be made.
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Goff’s new contract will absolutely impact the cap going forward. I’m sure the can will be kicked down the road a bit, but his AAV will be going to market, and there’s no way to dodge the cap hit on that.
Not Goff’s cap hit, but Stafford’s. Basically, in a trade, the trading team absorbs the remaining signing bonus for any player they trade against their cap immediately. So we ate Matt’s remaining bonus and the Rams ate JG’s in 2021. We’ve only had Jared’s salary go against the cap (though a bit was moved to bonus either last year or 2021).
So I am asking not being an ass (which my wife claims I have issues).
How is it that Mahomes and Lamar and even Watson seem to have better cap hits. I may have to spend some time at some point getting a much better understanding on how it works.
Our spending spree this March is going to be a lot of fun.
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It’s not as much money as people think. I think you’re going to see Goff, ARSB, and Sewell extensions which are going to take up some of the room.
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ARSB is going to get PAID.
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Basically cap hit = current year salary + annualized portion of bonus
If you look at these contracts, the first couple of years will often have a silly low salary number, while the last couple of years will be 5X or more of that first year.
It can always be tweaked (turning salary into bonus) to manipulate the cap in any given year.
That’s why it’s best to look at AAV to understand the impact a player will have on the cap overall. Individual years can vary wildly.
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Exactly. We are about to spend a shit ton on our own guys.
Sewell St. Brown and Goff for sure
Alim maybe
Jonah maybe
CJGJ.maybe
Those 6 guys alone is way over a billion dollars
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The best thing about our cap situation is that we wont have to worry about losing those guys.
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I’m curious how many guys will want to get paid with an eye on keeping the band together, or just ‘I nEeD mArKeT vAlUe’?
I get it, only making 5 million a year prevents you from getting that large fry at mcd’s.
Setting aside money for ERFAs, draft picks, in-season moves and the practice squad, you’re probably looking at like $36.5m before extensions with 8 roster spots to get to 51.
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Don’t they all have one more year under contract though? Actually doesn’t Sewell have two years left counting his 5th year option? We could spend some money on 1 year guys.
Also I’m accounting for us letting Jonah walk. I think our identity is going to be to replace guys like him through the draft.
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Yes, but I expect this organization to take care of its players. I am guessing ARSB has little interest in playing another year getting paid $1m a year as an All-Pro WR. He’s already made a couple of comments about how he’s playing for free on his podcast. The other thought is the longer you let these guys go without contract extensions, the more they’re going to cost when you do extend them.
I also think it’s prudent to try and get some of these contracts done before the cap starts to really explode (and player salaries with it). Extending now could lead to some really good deals in terms of cost vs. % of cap moving forward the next few years.
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only thing to be concerned about…
is Lions have the FEWEST players signed for 2024 in the NFl.
Those cap numbers look great because only 38 players are under contract for 2024.
I am confident Holmes can fill out the bottom 15 of the roster very well… but the team may have some turnover.
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OTCs number is a little misleading here. The 38 is the 31 under contract plus the 7 players who are counting against the cap due to void years (but aren’t actually rostered for next season).
In all actuality, the Lions have 31 on roster for next year at the moment. However, you expect them to resign all their ERFAs (5) and add the draft class (7 as of now), which would put them at 43 without any FA signings. Which means they need to sign at least 8 to hit 51.
and you cant forget a few UDFA who will be signed too
For anyone interested on the breakdown of OTCs numbers (They are the effective cap number):
| Projected Salary Cap | $244,436,464.00 |
|---|---|
| Under Contract (31) | $170,085,239.00 |
| Void Year $ | $14,301,529.00 |
| Dead Money | $1,431,310.00 |
| Draft Pick Pool (7) | $8,527,545.00 |
| ERFA (985k * 5) | $4,925,000.00 |
| Fill Roster (915k * 8) | $7,320,000.00 |
| Effective Cap: | $45,320,841.00 |
| Practice Squad | $3,500,000.00 |
| In-Season Moves | $5,000,000.00 |
| Projected Cap Space | $29,345,841.00 |
I like to add in the costs of PS and In-Season Moves because it’s an actual reality that needs to be accounted for.
