The Cap Space Conundrum

[varjet]

The Jets could have close to $100mm of cap space this off season, which has been touted as great dry powder for the Jets to acquire new talented players, like they did in 2015!  That is partly true, but a two-sided coin.

The Jets have all of that cap space in large part because the players that Idzik and Tannenbaum drafted were unworthy of receiving long-term lucrative contracts, including a QB.   If Sanchez, picked 5, was the Jets FQB, he would have a $25mm per year contract today.   That $100mm includes money freed from the broken Wilkerson deal, no SR, no CB1 in Milliner, no CB2 in Wilson, no EDGE in Coples.  There is alot of money, and no talent.  

So why would the Jets be able to sign players that they draft?  Smart teams use the leverage of long-term original contracts to extend players that they like and value through their self-scouting, another skill that Mac has apparently missed the memo on.  Let's say a Guard is paid $1mm this year but would paid $8mm in the open market for 3 years after contract expires.  That is $25mm over four years.  A team can extend a player, maybe promising him $23mm but more money guaranteed in the first year.  If they can do that enough times, it frees up money for other investments.

One would also hope that some players would be reasonable and want to set down roots were they are.  That is becoming less frequent.   Some players will also want to bet on themselves and take themselves to market.  Its a psychological thing mostly.  

So as we are seeing with ASJ and will see with others, there will be no deals when the Jets look to sign FAs.  They basically need to pay more money than other teams.  They are saving on other positions.  If they want Cousins they need to pay through the nose.  The good news is that they have 2 second round draft picks, which are oftentimes the highest value picks from a financial perspective.  With the Jets first three picks they can acquire players who would cost $25+mm more in total if they were signed as FAs (look at what RBs, OTs and EDGE cost in FA).  Remember how Rex showed up at Bart Scott's house at midnight with a barrel full of money.  That is what they will need to do.

Cousins is another conundrum, but that is another thread.

[joewilly12]

If only the NY Jets understood the draft and drafted good players instead of the bums we wouldn't be having this discussion. 

[rangerous]

2 hours ago, varjet said:

The Jets could have close to $100mm of cap space this off season, which has been touted as great dry powder for the Jets to acquire new talented players, like they did in 2015!  That is partly true, but a two-sided coin.

The Jets have all of that cap space in large part because the players that Idzik and Tannenbaum drafted were unworthy of receiving long-term lucrative contracts, including a QB.   If Sanchez, picked 5, was the Jets FQB, he would have a $25mm per year contract today.   That $100mm includes money freed from the broken Wilkerson deal, no SR, no CB1 in Milliner, no CB2 in Wilson, no EDGE in Coples.  There is alot of money, and no talent.  

So why would the Jets be able to sign players that they draft?  Smart teams use the leverage of long-term original contracts to extend players that they like and value through their self-scouting, another skill that Mac has apparently missed the memo on.  Let's say a Guard is paid $1mm this year but would paid $8mm in the open market for 3 years after contract expires.  That is $25mm over four years.  A team can extend a player, maybe promising him $23mm but more money guaranteed in the first year.  If they can do that enough times, it frees up money for other investments.

One would also hope that some players would be reasonable and want to set down roots were they are.  That is becoming less frequent.   Some players will also want to bet on themselves and take themselves to market.  Its a psychological thing mostly.  

So as we are seeing with ASJ and will see with others, there will be no deals when the Jets look to sign FAs.  They basically need to pay more money than other teams.  They are saving on other positions.  If they want Cousins they need to pay through the nose.  The good news is that they have 2 second round draft picks, which are oftentimes the highest value picks from a financial perspective.  With the Jets first three picks they can acquire players who would cost $25+mm more in total if they were signed as FAs (look at what RBs, OTs and EDGE cost in FA).  Remember how Rex showed up at Bart Scott's house at midnight with a barrel full of money.  That is what they will need to do.

Cousins is another conundrum, but that is another thread.

god idea but, not for nothing, what current jets player contract should be renegotiated before their rookie contract is up?  i can think of leo and jenkins at the moment.  maybe shell and anderson.  the point is they really haven't had so many outstandingly good draftees coming through their doors  since idzik's first draft.  maybe enunwa was a guy they should've locked up but even there, he's injured so his value will be very tough to assess. 

[Charlie Brown]

This thread and OP get a thumbs up from me for the use of word “conundrum” alone!!

But your essential points are all well taken. 

[Beerfish]

Trumaine johnson is going to be a very rich man.

[varjet]

1 hour ago, Beerfish said:

Trumaine johnson is going to be a very rich man.

He will get the money the Jets would have paid to Milliner, and then some.