(02-08-2023, 06:05 PM)The Real Marty Wrote:

(02-08-2023, 01:44 PM)rpr52121 Wrote: So I've reading about how the Eagles are doing interesting things with their contracts using optional bonuses tied to automatic void years in order to create extra cap space and flexibility.

I was wondering if anyone has a better explanation of how that works, and if the Jags could/should be utilizing a similar strategy?

For example, this is the best article I could find that provides an example of what the Eagles are doing: https://www.si.com/nfl/eagles/news/the-n...[BLEEP]-deal

Probably adding voidable years allows the cap hit from the signing bonus to be spread out over more years.  Only trouble is, when the voidable years are voided, all the remaining signing bonus is accelerated onto the cap.  Like if a signing bonus is spread over a 3-year contract, it hits the cap over 3 years- 1/3, 1/3, 1/3.  But if it's spread over 6 years, it hits the cap 1/6, 1/6, 1/6, 1/6, 1,6, 1/6.  But if the last 3 years of that 6-year contract are voided, then the cap hit from the signing bonus winds up spread over 3 years as 1/6, 1/6, 2/3.  Voiding the last 3 years of that contract accelerates the last 3/6 of the signing bonus onto the 3rd year of the contract.  All you've done is shove more of that signing bonus into the last non-voidable year of the contract.  

It would also work when you convert salary to bonus in a simple restructuring.  You can spread that bonus out over more years, but when you void the last few years, all that bonus comes back onto the salary cap.

I'm really just guessing.  Someone else may know more.

No, that’s it as I understand it as well.  You give guys big signing bonuses and long contracts to spread the cap hit and then at some point mid way through the contract once you’re passed the guarantees the remaining signing bonus becomes more manageable to absorb all at once if you decide to cut or trade the player.  When they use the term “void years”, they’re just pointing out that the contract is beyond the guarantees and the team has no real intention of carrying that contract any further.  They’ll either cut, trade or restructure depending on the player/circumstances.  

The purpose of this is for cap management in the current year to get the player his cash, but to have his current cap hit be as low as possible.   Doing this with a handful of players is ok, but doing it too much could get you in real trouble especially when you have to pay your QB a mega deal which we’ll be doing more than likely next year which i believe is when Trevor will first be eligible for extension.

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