The Eagles are built to win. They have a very aggressive philosophy and have spent over 100 million dollars on contracts in signing bonuses and converted bonuses. They have manipulated the salary cap to win now and thus are playing in a Super Bowl. Not many owners will sign off on the $ Howie Roseman has spent and Jeffrey Lurie is a great owner for doing do. Make no mistake, he wants to win football games.
Let's look at 13 contracts that Howie Houdini has done using his brilliant cap skills.
He uses signing bonuses and restructure bonuses to get players under contract and will then potentially renegotiate with them when the time comes to get the numbers under the cap. This is done with prorated bonuses and restructured salaries and is the way to go in todays NFL.
Let's look at the amount of $ in signing bonuses and restructure will be allocated for each year just in bonuses alone for players who probably won't be playing or under contract that year.
But understand this, if a player does get cut and let's say has 20 million in bonuses left for 23-25, that money is applied to the 2023 cap. So, there is some negotiating that can be done.
For example, Darius Slay is cut in 2023 because he has a 17 million dollar base. It will still be a 21 million dollar cap hit applied to the 2023 season. That is why it would be advantageous to try to renegotiate some of the salary into a signing bonus. There is some risk involved.
The following figures are in millions!
2023 2024 2025 2026 2027
Slay 5.3 5.3 5.3 3.1 - Note 26 mil cap hit in 23
Hargrave 4.8 4.8 3.5 - -
Kelce 8 4 4 2 - Probably retiring
Graham - 5.6 3.2 1.2 -
Mailata - - 4 2 -
Semalu 2.8 2.1 1.5 900k -
Reddick - - 5.6 5.6 2.5
Goedert - - - 3.5 2.7
Sweat - - 4.7 2.7 2.1
Bradberry 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2
maddux - - 2.5 1.5 1.0
Cox - 2.5 2.5 2.5
Barnett - 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.3
Total 22.1 27.4 39.7 26.3 9.6
Lets take a closer look:
Example #1 Darius Slay
In 2022, Darius Slay will count 9.7 million towards the salary cap. Thats a pretty good contract for the Eagles. That is because he will cost the Eagles down the road towards the cap.
How was it done: Darius was given 28 million the day he signed. That bonus was spread over 5 years.
His 2023 contract is 17 million base with a 26 million cap hit. In 2024, his contract is voided but his bonus will count as follows in 2024-2026. Chances are they will restructure this offseason or he will be released.
Bonus applied to the cap
2024 5.3 million
2025 5.3 million
2026 3.0 million
Example #2 Javon Hargraves
Javon Hargraves deal is voidable next season. But, he has a 12 million cap hit in 2023-2025 due to his signing bonus and restructure deal. If cut in 2023
He has a cap hit as follows because of his big signing bonus and restructure
2023 4.7 mil
2024 4.7 mil
2025 2.3 mil
His cap hit is 11 million in 2023 because he isn't under contract if released before 6/1.
Example #3 James Bradberry
James made a ridiculous 2.2 cap hit this year. But, he will be paid the next 4 years. The Eagles stole him and got him for a ridiculous price.
2022 cap hit 2.2 million
He signed a voidable deal with signing bonuses that count 1.2 million per year in 2023-2026 as he was paid 7 million up front
You get the idea and how the genius does it! Kudos to Howie Roseman on a job well done!.
