SALARY CAP space.. going,.. going ~ ~ ~

[kelly]

 -- The New York Jets need cap space, and they need it fast.As of Saturday morning, the Jets were only $2.8 million under their adjusted cap, according to ESPN data. Only the New Orleans Saints ($1.8 million) have less cap space than the Jets, who have to create room for defensive linemenSteve McLendon (three years, $10.5 million) and Jarvis Jenkins (two years, $7 million). They agreed to free-agent deals last week, but their contracts still haven't been filed with the league.

The exact breakdown of their contracts have yet to be revealed, but it's probably safe to assume the Jets need to clear at least $1 million to fit them both under the cap. They can do that by cutting a player (or players) and/or re-working a contract (or contracts).General manager Mike Maccagnan isn't a big believer in restructuring contracts and pushing money into later years -- some call it a credit-card approach -- but he may have no choice. He'll also have to carve out another chunk when/if he re-signs quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

So far, the Jets have signed four unrestricted free agents, totaling approximately $22 million in guaranteed money.

>    http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/59157/jets-salary-cap-space-is-going-going-almost-gone

[kelly]

Jets must make some salary cap-related moves soon

About the Jets' salary-cap situation: They officially have roughly $2.9 million in cap space remaining, and that's not counting the signings they made late last week of defensive end Jarvis Jenkins and nose tackle Steve McLendon.

So what does that mean  ?

In nutshell, it means the Jets will have to do something to free up cap space soon, either by releasing additional players or restructuring contracts.Jenkins, formerly of the Bears, and McLendon, an ex-Steeler, officially signed last week. But they haven't yet filed the deals with the NFL and with the NFL Players Association. But once they do, they'll have to so something to make themselves cap compliant.

But what ?

Possible cuts include right tackle Breno Giacomini (roughly $4.375 million in cap savings, per overthecap.com), left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson ($9 million), and kicker Nick Folk ($2.1 million).Cutting Ferguson, Giacomini, or Folk won't be easy decisions, since right now it's not clear who the Jets would want to replace any of them. Kicker Randy Bullock, who went 14-for-17 on field goals after Folk was lost for the season with a quad injury remains a free agent. But on the O-line, any potential backups for Ferguson and Giacomini—Brent Qvale, to name one—have no experience.

The Jets could also elect to restructure the contracts of Ferguson, center NickMangold, or wide receiver Brandon Marshall, which would simply have the effect of pushing the cap hit for any of them into 2017.Something big is going to have to be done. Because even after the Jets do what they have to do to account for the Jenkins and McLendon deals, they'll still have to eventually account for whatever money is given to a quarterback—be it Ryan Fitzpatrick or Robert Griffin III or someone else.

Bottom line : The Jets have been fairly quiet so far in free agency. But some kind of additional shake-up is undoubtedly on the horizon.

>      http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/03/jets_must_make_some_salary_cap-related_moves_soon.html#incart_river_index

[UnitedWhofans]

Well they just officially announced signing McClendon, so the cash has to be there

[Sperm Edwards]

Are there not enough online resources available that paid sports journalists don't realize that cutting Ferguson frees up more than $9M?

The only player I'd be ok with restructuring is Marshall. Not gung-ho in favor of it, but it wouldn't be that bad. He makes $9.5M this year and $7.5M next year. All of it salary. They could lower it by converting some salary to bonus, and tack on another non-guaranteed season for 2018 while they're at it. His game isn't based on blazing speed so he should still be plenty productive at 34. And if he isn't? Well, like I said: another non-guaranteed season.

Restructure Marshall: Drop his base salary from $9.5M to $3.5M. Convert that $6M of salary into signing bonus. Guarantee his 2017 salary in exchange for tacking on an extra "team option" season for 2018 at $8M (less if he'll take it). New cap #s are $5.5M (2016), $9.5M (2017), $10M (2018). If we don't exercise the 2018 option it's a manageable $2M dead space, but we could still get a comp pick in 2019 if/when someone else picks him up. For 2016, it creates another $4M of cap room without badly mortgaging future caps.

Or not. Really, I'm happy with Marshall's contract the way it is.

[Mike135]

So to get the free agents signed now, have room for rookies, and something left over for an emergency in-season fund, we'll have to make some substantial moves.  But seems very possible w/o hurting us for 2017 and beyond.

Add in Fitz, and the types of cuts/restructures that'll have to be made will kill this team for years to come.  Right?  Or am I missing something?

[Sperm Edwards]

3 minutes ago, Mike135 said:

So to get the free agents signed now, have room for rookies, and something left over for an emergency in-season fund, we'll have to make some substantial moves.  But seems very possible w/o hurting us for 2017 and beyond.

Add in Fitz, and the types of cuts/restructures that'll have to be made will kill this team for years to come.  Right?  Or am I missing something?

Yes, you are missing something. 

Trading Mo, and cutting Brick+Breno do not kill this team for years to come. On the contrary, it generates a high draft pick or more, and saves >$30M/year. And in the case of the latter 2, a pair of young players with a longer future will get onto the field instead of crossing fingers and praying for a major rebound year to eke out 1 more productive season from Fergie. One could easily argue that trading Mo hurts us more. I don't agree, given what we'd give up to keep him, but it's at least a worthy opinion.

What would hurt us for 2017 and beyond is restructuring (instead of cutting ties with) players we can't keep or simply don't want in 2017, and whom can do without for 2016; just as well as the Broncos reached 2 Super Bowls with Ryan Clady's backup. Different backup player each time, too.

Fitz only necessarily hurts the team for years to come if we pay and guarantee him too much, hampering our ability to use that money towards paying others instead.

[Mike135]

14 minutes ago, Sperm Edwards said:

Yes, you are missing something. 

Trading Mo, and cutting Brick+Breno do not kill this team for years to come. On the contrary, it generates a high draft pick or more, and saves >$30M/year. And in the case of the latter 2, a pair of young players with a longer future will get onto the field instead of crossing fingers and praying for a major rebound year to eke out 1 more productive season from Fergie. One could easily argue that trading Mo hurts us more. I don't agree, given what we'd give up to keep him, but it's at least a worthy opinion.

What would hurt us for 2017 and beyond is restructuring (instead of cutting ties with) players we can't keep or simply don't want in 2017, and whom can do without for 2016; just as well as the Broncos reached 2 Super Bowls with Ryan Clady's backup. Different backup player each time, too.

Fitz only necessarily hurts the team for years to come if we pay and guarantee him too much, hampering our ability to use that money towards paying others instead.

Right.  If they go with the option of trading Mo and/or cutting Breno, I can't argue with that.  Cutting Brick is tough though w/o someone to play LT.  However I'm still not sure trading Mo and cutting Breno gets everything done.  Especially if Fitz really is asking for an insane $10mil+.

Hurting the future comes into play if they decide to restructure contracts so they hit more in the upcoming years just to get room to fit Fitz in.  And of course the future is put in serious jeopardy if Fitz is given any sort of mid-level deal for over two years.

However I do like this train of thought, " young players with a longer future will get onto the field ".  Kind of makes my Cheap-Young-Geno vs. Expensive-Old-Fitz argument for me.

[Simijet]

Where's Idzik when you need him???

 

[BurnleyJet]

It's been looking like these options. For me:-

1 Cut Breno restructure Brick, trade Mo.

2 Cut Brick, Trade Mo.

3 Cut Brick, Cut Breno, Trade Mo.

[32EBoozer]

Option 4 please.

4. Cut and resign Brick for $5m, Cut Breno, Trade Mo

 

[Sperm Edwards]

13 minutes ago, 32EBoozer said:

Option 4 please.

4. Cut and resign Brick for $5m, Cut Breno, Trade Mo

 

I still prefer an upgrade or giving a shot to someone with a potential future here, but this would be an acceptable 2nd-best plan. A long as that re-signing has a team-only option for 2017. But f we do that, Breno's replacement has to be versatile enough to possibly swing to the other side next year. I don't want to hear again how "we have no one else" as a lame excuse for the 3rd straight offseason.

[kelly]

2 hours ago, 32EBoozer said:

Option 4 please.

4. Cut and resign Brick for $5m, Cut Breno, Trade Mo

 

cool ! 

 

 

 

cheers ~ ~ 

[32EBoozer]

2 hours ago, Sperm Edwards said:

I still prefer an upgrade or giving a shot to someone with a potential future here, but this would be an acceptable 2nd-best plan. A long as that re-signing has a team-only option for 2017. But f we do that, Breno's replacement has to be versatile enough to possibly swing to the other side next year. I don't want to hear again how "we have no one else" as a lame excuse for the 3rd straight offseason.

Absolutely. Brick will have to play substantially better to get another $5m in 2017(which I doubt)

I'm dumb founded at how so little attention/poor drafting has been applied to the OL these last few years. (Boar Hunter/ Ducasse etc)

[kelly]

The Jets announced the first of what will likely be a series of contract restructures on Wednesday.

That first domino to fall?

Guard James Carpenter, who restructured his deal to add roughly$2.5 million in cap space.In all likelihood, some additional transactions will be announced in the coming days– be that a contract restructure, or a release all together.

So… who exactly are those resutructure/release candidates? Jets Wiretook a look. Please note, all cap figures courtesy of OTC.

D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Offensive Tackle
2016 Cap Hit: $14.107 million

Starting with the most obvious when it comes to cap numbers, Ferguson could be a candidate for either a release, or a contract restructure. While the former first-round pick has been one of the league’s best throughout his career, his play hasn’t been the same as of late.As things stand right now, Ferguson is set to have a $14.107 million cap hit… the third-highest total on the team behind Darrelle Revis($17m) and Muhammad Wilkerson ($15.7). If he were released, he’d free $9 million of that, while incurring a penalty of $5 million.

The Jets had Steelers left tackle Kelvin Beachum in for a visit, but he opted to sign with the Jaguars. What that little meeting told all was that the team is beginning to think of life post-Ferguson. Wth Beachum obviously now not an option, it’s unlikely the Jets cut Ferguson. Instead, a restructure seems to be a likely upcoming move.If the Jets could move around some of Ferguson’s money to lessen his hit to say $8 or $9 million, it could give the Jets a bit more wiggle room.

Brandon Marshall, Receiver 
2016 Cap Hit: $9.5 million

There’s no chance the Jets cut Marshall. None. Not after he put together the best receiving season the franchise had ever seen.With that being said, that doesn’t mean the team couldn’t potentially approach him about moving around some of his money. Every penny of Marshall’s 2016 salary is unguaranteed, since he was traded to the Jets. What that means is that the Jets can cut him and free all $9.5 million.The assumption is that the Jets like having Marshall’s contract unguranteed, being that it allows the team to move on from him (if something were to happen) with no financial repercussion. A restructure, obviously, would change that.

Would that be worth it, though? There’s certainly a chance.

Nick Mangold, Center
2016 Cap Hit: $8.6 million

Obviously, like Marshall and Decker (below), there is no chance Mangold gets cut. He’s been, throughout his career and still is, one of the best centers (if not the best) in the NFL.That doesn’t mean the team won’t look into doing some work with his contract, though.With a near $9 million hit, a restructure that drops that number down to $5 million could be a reasonable and easy way to increase the Jets cap a few bucks. Will they approach him? Well, reports indicated earlier in the offseason they hadn’t… to that point.

Eric Decker, Receiver
2016 Cap Hit: $8 million

Again, another player not getting cut, but someone who could be asked to restructure. Decker has an $8 million cap hit this season, and while he’s worth every penny, moving the money around to create a couple million extra could help the Jets.Does that mean it will happen? Eh, it may be a bit of a stretch. That’s not a crazy cap number for a player of Decker’s talent. It’s more likely than not that this contract isn’t touched.

Breno Giacomini, Offensive Tackle
2016 Cap Hit: $5.625 million

Giacomina’s cap hit isn’t horrible for a solid starting right tackle in the NFL. The issue? He hasn’t really been a solid starting right tackle for the Jets since he signed with the team a couple of years ago.The former Seattle Seahawks struggled mightily, specifically, for the Jets in 2015, and if released, frees $4.3 million instantly. Those two factors make it an appealing decision to move on from the tackle.But the thing is… if the Jets move on from Giacomini, they’ve gotta replace him– either in the draft, in-house, or in free agency.The draft is a risk, especially considering the Jets have multiple needs. In-house is an option with Brent Qvale, but he’s largely unproven. The free-agent market is dry, with many of the tackles being locked up, and those that are left looking for deals much larger than what Giacomini is presently being paid.

Does that mean the Jets won’t move on from the tackle? Absolutely not. But it’s not really an easy decision.

Jets Wire Predicted Moves : Ferguson restructure, Giacomini release, Marshall restructure.

>    http://jetswire.usatoday.com/2016/03/23/what-jets-players-could-restructure-their-contracts/

[kelly]

On paper, it makes an awful lot of sense. Heck, looking just at the paper, it’s maddening as to why the Jets haven’t made the moves yet.With little to no cap space, and D’Brickashaw Ferguson carrying with him a declining skill set and $14 million cap hit… cut him. Breno Giacomini, his offensive tackle counterpart, struggled mightily a season ago, and he frees $4 million if released… so cut him.

Bada bing, bada boom– With two transactions, the Jets free near $15 million in cap space, and get rid of two players on the decline.

Simple, right ?

Hah, yeah… about that. See, actually, it’s anything but.

Mike Maccagnan is not an unintelligent man. The Jets GM is quite smart, actually, which is exactly why he has yet to make the two most “obvious” moves.Cut Breno, cut Brick, add $15 million in funds. The two transactions would suddenly, and instantly, take the Jets from cap-deprived towealthy. They’d have certainly enough money to bring back Ryan Fitzpatrick. Heck, maybe even another free agent on the open market.But see, here’s the thing about simply releasing Ferguson and/or Giacomini: The two, talent level aside, are the Jets two starting offensive tackles. Be them good or bad, they’re the team’s everyday offensive linemen.Behind them, well, there really isn’t all that much. There’s Brent Qvale, who the team is reportedly high on, but other than that? Sean Hickey? Wesley Johnson?

Nothing. They’ve got nothing.

The Jets can’t simply “release” their two starting offensive tackles without having some form of a contingency plan behind them. Maybe one is let go, which opens the door for Qvale and a offensive-lineman-to-be-drafted-later to compete for the spot. But both? No way. It just doesn’t make sense.There are certainly options out there that are cheaper, but better? Is it really worth taking a quarterback situation that’s already in flux and trotting out two giant question marks to protect him? Look at the players available, where’s the sure thing?There’s Will Beatty or Jake Long, maybe, but both players are on the wrong end of 30 years old and each have dealt with injuries the last couple of years. There’s Khalif Barnes or Nate Chandler, but neither are as talented as Ferguson.

On the other side, there’s Don Barclay or Jamon Meredith, but are either of those really better than Giacomini? Would signing either of them really save that much money? After all, Giacomini does only carry with him a $5 million cap hit.See, Maccagnan isn’t stupid. There’s a reason he hasn’t cut Ferguson or cut Giacomini yet. It’s because he’s aware that, even though they may not be the best, they’re the best for the Jets right now.  Maybe had the Jets gotten a deal done with Steelers left tackle Kelvin Beachum, who visited a few weeks ago, that would have led to a Ferguson release. But they didn’t, and thus Ferguson is still a member of the team.

Does a pay cut make sense ?

Especially for a player like Ferguson? Sure, it could help. If the left tackle moved around his money a bit, spread it out over the ensuing years to help the Jets this year.But Ferguson doing that could hurt the team down the road.It’s obvious Ferguson isn’t getting any younger.It’s obvious Ferguson isn’t the player he used to be.It’s obvious Ferguson is probably going to be a step or two slower than he even was last year.

But if the Jets can deal with Ferguson this year, they have a definitive, easy-money out next season. In 2017, Ferguson can be released by the Jets with just a $1.2 million cap penalty. And his cap savings? A whopping $13.025 million.

And Giacomini? Next year, the offensive tackle can be released and free $4.5 million while incurring a penalty of just $625,000.An extra $15 million in cap space for the Jets right now doesn’t help anyone. It doesn’t help the team sign any premier-level right or left tackle on the open market, nor does it help the Jets down the road.

The best bet for the Jets? Sit on the two deals.

Pay Ferguson more than he’s worth, and do the same for Giacomini. Because maybe not doing the “obvious” move in 2016, is the best move for 2017.

>     http://jetswire.usatoday.com/2016/03/25/jets-cant-cut-dbrickashaw-ferguson-breno-giacomini/

[kelly]

Rich CiminiESPN Staff Writer 

The Jets have $2.44 million in cap room, according to NFLPA records. That doesn't include DE Jarvis Jenkins, whose contract hasn't been processed. They can squeeze him under the cap without having to make any moves, but they will have to clear space if they re-sign QB Ryan Fitzpatrick.

 

>   http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/nyj/new-york-jets

[joewilly12]

2 minutes ago, kelly said:

Rich CiminiESPN Staff Writer 

The Jets have $2.44 million in cap room, according to NFLPA records. That doesn't include DE Jarvis Jenkins, whose contract hasn't been processed. They can squeeze him under the cap without having to make any moves, but they will have to clear space if they re-sign QB Ryan Fitzpatrick.

 

>   http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/nyj/new-york-jets

The Jets arent going to sign Fitzpatrick they have other plans at QB 

[kelly]

Jeremy FowlerESPN Staff Writer 

Teams with the least amount of salary cap space, per NFLPA - Broncos ($1.60 M), Jets ($2.44 M), Steelers ($2.47 M).

 

 

>      http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/nyj/new-york-jets

 

 

•  
•  
•  

 

[Joe Jets fan]

Macc is not going to make any move before he absolutely has to.    Its tough on the fans and the writers but too damn bad.  lol

 

He is doing what's right for the Jets and that's the way it should be.

[kelly]

The New York Jets are facing a serious salary-cap crunch, one that goes deeper than what you see in the column marked "cap room." Their salary structure is so out of whack that it screams, "Fix me!" And they just might, with a blockbuster move.By now, most folks who follow the Jets know they're only about $2 million under the cap. In other words, they're searching the kitty for spare change. There's no shame in that. After all, they've spent a lot of money over the past 13 months, trying to improve the roster. That's what you wanted, right? That's why you wanted the fiscally conservative John Idzik out of the general manager's chair. You got your wish and now you have an aggressive GM in Mike Maccagnan.

The real problem is how the money is distributed. The Jets have a top-heavy salary structure, and it's not healthy.

The three highest-paid players -- Darrelle Revis, Muhammad Wilkerson andD'Brickashaw Ferguson -- are eating up $46.8 million, roughly 30 percent of the entire cap. The other 48 players counting against the cap occupy the remaining 70 percent.

In other words, there's Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and Mark Zuckerberg ... and everybody else.

The Jets aren't unique in this respect. In fact, their Big Three ranks sixth in the NFL in total cap charges. They're being outspent by the Pittsburgh Steelers,Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals. The Steelers lead the pack, with $51.5 million devoted to their three highest-paid players.But there's a difference between those five teams and the Jets, and it's quite significant: Each one has a quarterback in its top three and the Jets don't. Right now, they're spending a league-low $2.3 million at the quarterback position, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

So to recap: The Jets are spending with the big boys, but none of the big checks are going to a quarterback. They're paying two players on the decline, Revis and Ferguson. Wilkerson is an ascending player, but he can't get a long-term contract. Does this make any sense? Of course it doesn't.This isn't entirely Maccagnan's fault because he inherited the Ferguson contract, but he gave the big deal to Revis and he's had more than a year to address the Wilkerson situation. He could lower Wilkerson's cap charge by negotiating a long-term contract, but the organization shows no inclination to making it happen.

All of which leads us to this conclusion: Something has to give.

The Jets can't re-sign Ryan Fitzpatrick (or a Fitzpatrick replacement) and pay their draft picks under the current cap situation, which means a big salary dump is on the way. Revis isn't going anywhere because his salary is guaranteed, so it has to be Wilkerson or Ferguson.Trading Wilkerson would clear $15.7 million, the amount of his franchise tag, but it'll be hard to get equal value for him because of the complexities of a tag-and-trade. He has considerable say in the matter because he won't sign off on a trade unless the new team meets his contract demands.Cutting Ferguson would save $9.7 million, but that would make little sense unless they can secure a replacement -- i.e. drafting a left tackle in the first round. There are three top-shelf left tackles in the draft, and the chances of one slipping to the Jets at No. 20 aren't great.

The Jets don't have total control of the Ferguson and Wilkerson scenarios, which puts them in a bind. Their options: Go into the season with Gates, Buffett and Zuckerberg, weighing down the entire operation, or make a desperation move to clear the cap space.

Don't be surprised if it's the latter.

>   http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/59378/waiting-for-the-bombshell-move-that-will-unclog-the-jets-cap-mess

[kelly]

Rich CiminiESPN Staff Writer 

A breakdown of Erin Henderson's two-year contract with the Jets: The total base value is $4M. It includes a guarantee of $750k -- $385k of his 2016 base, plus a $365k roster bonus that was paid on Monday. His cap charge this year is $1.25M, $2.75M next year. There's a $250k option that must be exercised no later than 22 days prior to the 2017 league year. The Jets can cut him after one year with no cap hit.

 

>   http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/nyj/new-york-jets

[David Harris]

On March 22, 2016 at 9:44 AM, 32EBoozer said:

Absolutely. Brick will have to play substantially better to get another $5m in 2017(which I doubt)

I'm dumb founded at how so little attention/poor drafting has been applied to the OL these last few years. (Boar Hunter/ Ducasse etc)

I'm sure Dexter Mcdougle will turn out better than Gabe Jackson, who was taken the pick after him and happens to be a very good young Guard and was projected to go multiple rounds ahead of Mcdougle.  Just keep waiting.

[kelly]

Rich CiminiESPN Staff Writer 

The Jets have $719,647 in cap room, according to the NFLPA -- the smallest amount in the league.

 

>       http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/nyj/new-york-jets

[Sperm Edwards]

Looking at the above articles, why is it that no one can read charts that Jason laid out so easily? The Jets - like every team - save the amount we don't pay to the players, not just the last column of the chart. Even the chart presumes the reader has rudimentary math skills and understanding of cap rules.

Ferguson saves just under $10.4M, not $9M. Breno saves $5M, not $4.3M. What these people leave out - and it's not insignificant - is that if those $9M/$4M figures are exercised by the Jets, it also wipes out their 2017 cap hits ($1.3M for Brick, $625K for Breno). They just ignore away that extra $2M between them as though it doesn't exist.

If they want to only talk of maximizing this year's cap savings, then the Jets wouldn't cut Ferguson in a way that accelerates everything to 2016; they'd designate him as a post-June 1 cut and push that $1.3M back to next year as scheduled. In other words, he saves $10.3M.

Why would anyone suggest they have Ferguson accelerate all of his dead cap charges to this year and then in the next breath talk of restructuring others to make their cap charges hit more in later years?

[kelly]

Inside the Jets’ salary cap hell — and why there’s no easy escape

 

At first glance, it looks like an April Fools’ prank, but it is no joke: As of Friday morning, the Jets had just $719,647 in salary cap space. They have less cap room than any other team in the NFL.

Where have you gone, John Idzik ?

OK, so maybe nobody is actually clamoring for the return of Idzik, but the Jets are in a sticky situation. They have virtually no money to spend, are still at an impasse with would-be starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, and will need about $5 million to sign their draft picks.It is time for general manager Mike Maccagnan to show how creative he can be. Maccagnan, a lifelong scout, has admitted the salary cap is not his area of expertise. He leans on Jacqueline Davidson, the team’s director of football administration, when it comes to managing contracts.There does not appear to be any simple solution for the Jets to get out of this cap mess. The social media knee-jerk response is to trade defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson and cut left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson. Those moves would create about $25 million in salary cap space, but there are a few issues.

The Jets are trying to trade Wilkerson because it is clear they are not going to give him a long-term deal. Doing so would clear the $15.7 million he is getting paid under the franchise tag. But there is skepticism around the NFL about whether they will find a trade partner. A team must be willing to give the Jets what they want in trade compensation and be willing to pay Wilkerson. Moving Wilkerson also weakens the team. He is their best defensive player.The Ferguson situation is an interesting one. The 32-year-old has a $14.1 million cap charge, way too high for a player on the decline. There was a thought the Jets would ask Ferguson to take a pay cut, but they have not. If they cut Wilkerson, they would save $9 million against the cap and create $5 million in dead money. If they cut Ferguson, though, who is playing left tackle? They don’t have one on the roster right now other than Ferguson.

One school of thought is the Jets may be waiting to see if they draft a left tackle at No. 20. If they do, they could cut Ferguson then, but the best left tackles are usually gone before the 20th pick in the draft.The Jets’ salary cap issues stem from a few problems. They are top-heavy right now with Wilkerson, Ferguson and Darrelle Revis accounting for $46.8 million, about 30 percent of the team’s cap room. Being top-heavy can work if you have a franchise quarterback. News flash — the Jets do not.

Some of the cap issues should have been expected when the Jets went on their spending spree last March. The Jets added some big cap numbers with Revis ($17 million), Brandon Marshall ($9.5 million), Buster Skrine ($7.75 million), David Harris ($7.5 million) and Marcus Gilchrist ($5.625 million).What the Jets did not see coming last March was the season Fitzpatrick put together and what it did to his price tag. They also may have been optimistic about getting something done with Wilkerson at that point. But Fitzpatrick was viewed as an insurance policy for Geno Smith. Even in their wildest projections, the Jets could not have imagined a 31-touchdown season that pushed his asking price into the land of $16 million.

Last year, Maccagnan got the nickname “Magic Mike.” This year, he needs to pull off a big trick to get the team some cap room.

>    http://nypost.com/2016/04/01/inside-the-jets-salary-cap-hell-and-why-theres-no-easy-escape/

[kelly]

~ ~  4. Two-for-one deals : Despite a salary-cap crunch, the Jets are doing a good job of adding pieces at economical prices. In replacing three starters, they were able to sign six players, saving more than $1 million in cap space in the process. Here's how:

After losing nose tackle Damon Harrison to the New York Giants (2016 cap charge: $6.6 million), they signed Steve McLendon and Jarvis Jenkins(combined cap charge: $4.75 million).After losing Davis to the Cleveland Browns ($3.2 million), they re-signed Henderson and added Carter (estimated combined: $2.5 million).

After losing running back Chris Ivory to the Jacksonville Jaguars ($3.5 million), they re-signed Bilal Powell and added Matt Forte (combined: $4.7 million).This is what you call making due with limited resources. Now all they have to do is hope they signed the right guys.

rest of above article : 

>   http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/59432/jets-ryan-fitzpatrick-standoff-could-be-reaching-crunch-time

[kelly]

Rich CiminiESPN Staff Writer 

A breakdown of DE Jarvis Jenkins' contract with the Jets: Two years, $6M, including $3M guaranteed ($1.5M signing bonus + $1.5M base). Cap charges: $2.25M, $3.75M. CB Darryl Morris signed for one year, $750k, including $75k signing bonus.

Share

 

•  
•  
•  

1h

>   http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/nyj/new-york-jets

[kelly]

With almost no room under the salary cap, the New York Jets have approached left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson about taking a pay cut, sources confirmed Wednesday night.

With a $14.1 million cap charge, Ferguson, 32, has been an obvious candidate for months. The team has only $565,000 in cap space, according to NFLPA records, and it's still hoping to re-sign quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.Despite the query, no formal negotiations have occurred, according to sources, and Ferguson's status has no bearing on the Jets' offer to Fitzpatrick.General manager Mike Maccagnan broached the subject last week in a brief conversation with Ferguson in the team's weight room. Maccagnan mentioned how they needed cap relief, and that was the extent of it, one source said.

Presumably, talks will pick up in the coming weeks.Ferguson is scheduled to make $10.38 million this season: $8.63 million in base salary, plus $1.75 million in bonuses. None of it is guaranteed.There's no immediate deadline, because no bonus money is due until the completion of the offseason program in June. If Ferguson completes the program, he'd earn a $750,000 workout bonus.Ferguson, who signed a six-year, $60 million contract in 2012, is signed through 2017.

Publicly, team officials haven't committed to him for 2016, fueling speculation about his status. Maccagnan said recently, "Right now, I'd say he would be on our roster going forward, but we'll see how this thing unfolds."Ferguson, the fourth overall pick in 2006, has started every game in 10 seasons for the Jets. He has been one of the most durable players in the league and has never missed a snap because of an injury.

The New York Daily News first reported that Ferguson was approached about a pay cut.

>     http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/15150691/new-york-jets-asked-dbrickashaw-ferguson-pay-cut

[Rangers9]

The obvious choice to take a pay cut to give the team a little more spending money is Revis. But fat chance of that happening.

[kelly]

2 hours ago, Rangers9 said:

The obvious choice to take a pay cut to give the team a little more spending money is Revis. But fat chance of that happening.

he'll be asked to take a pay cut.. next year  

 

 

 

cheers ~ ~ 

[flgreen]

14 minutes ago, kelly said:

he'll be asked to take a pay cut.. next year  

 

 

 

cheers ~ ~ 

And he'll say no.

If they cut him it will cost them $7,3 M.  revis is here thru 2017 unless his leg falls off

[kelly]

2 hours ago, flgreen said:

And he'll say no.         ~ ~ we'll see 

If they cut him it will cost them $7,3 M.  revis is here thru 2017 unless his leg falls off

 

cheers ~ ~ 

[kelly]

One of the conditions in the Jets' trade for ex-Broncos left tackle Ryan Clady was that Clady would redo his contract.

Shortly after word of the deal leaked—the Jets got Clady and seventh-round draft pick in exchange for a fifth rounder—Ian Rapoport of NFL Media got his hands on Clady's unofficial new contract numbers, which have since been confirmed to NJ Advance Media by a person with knowledge of the situation who asked to remain anonymous :

Ian Rapoport 

 

✔‎@RapSheet

Ryan Clady's new deal with #Jets: 1-year deal for $6M base value with $3M guaranteed. Clady has 1 option year for $10M escalating to $13M

 

Ian Rapoport 

 

✔‎@RapSheet

Clady's first year goes to $7.5M with incentives (Okung had $5M). Clady has 2-year max value of $20.5M. Was to make $19.5M with no guarantee

Translation : Clady essentially has a one-year deal with a team option for 2017. He will earn $6 million in base pay in 2016, with $3 million of that guaranteed, plus incentives that can bring his total 2016 earnings to $7.5 million. Then, in 2017, Clady can make $10 million in base pay, and up to $13 million total, including incentives.The cap charge is tough to gauge without seeing the actual contract. But assuming there's nothing else beyond what Rapoport is reporting, Clady's 2016 cap hit ought to be anywhere from $6 million to $7.5 million (depending on how those incentives are defined).Per overthecap.com, under the terms of his former deal with the Broncos, Clady was set to earn $9.5 million this year and $10 million in 2017, with nothing guaranteed.

Clady's new contract is a good deal for the Jets, who are replacing veteran mainstay D'Brickashaw Ferguson with Clady. Ferguson's retirement saved the Jets $9.1 million in cap money. But the Jets basically added Clady—a younger, solid substitute, albeit one with a recent run of significant injuries—at a lower price, with an opportunity to cut the cord after one season, should things not work out.But if Clady proves to be a suitable replacement for Ferguson, the Jets could trigger the option on Clady and have him in 2017 at anywhere from $10 million to $13 million—a reasonable price for a high-end player at one of the game's most important positions.

Pro Football Talk reported that next year's option includes a bonus of $2.5 million payable in February 2017.So that would be the point at which the Jets must make their decision on whether to keep Clady.The addition of Clady ought not to negate the need for the Jets to select a tackle in the draft that takes place in three weeks. And if the Jets were to draft a tackle, Clady's presence would also give them the flexibility to play that rookie on the right side this season, as a way of grooming him for an eventual move to the left side.The Jets still ought to have anywhere from approximately $2 million to $4 million in cap space at the moment. No, that's not enough to re-sign quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. But if need be, there are still any number of ways (cuts, contract restructures) for the Jets to free up more money.

>   http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/04/ryan_clady_contract_how_it_was_reworked_for_jets.html#incart_river_index

[kelly]

• 
  Rich CiminiESPN Staff Writer

•  
•  
•  
•  
•  
• Email
• print
• comment

A look at what's happening around the New York Jets  :

~ ~  10. Cap update : The Jets have $3.88 million in cap room, according to NFLPA records. It's enough to sign their six draft picks.

rest of above article : 

> http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/59763/mo-wilkerson-could-be-key-to-jets-quest-for-franchise-caliber-quarterback

[kelly]

Rich CiminiESPN Staff Writer 

The Jets have $3.8M in cap space, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

 

>   http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/nyj/new-york-jets