Let me start by saying that I do not think Crawford is worth 9 million, but he is not a bum like some are suggesting, and I also don't think Jerry is hurting for money, nor do I think that he is keeping us from making any moves that we want to make.
First off, based on Nolan's old defenses and everything that players have been telling reporters about the new defense, I don't think he going to play the same role he played in 2018. In the base defense, his role will be primarily as 5T, the LDE. His job will be to occupy the OT, so the SLB/DPR (Smith, Gregory, Anae, etc.) will only have to contend with the TE. In the base, it will be DLaw playing the WDE. When we go to the nickel, DLaw goes to the LDE, the SLB/DPR goes to RDE and Crawford will either come off, or rotate in for Poe as an inside pass rusher. I think he will be solid at those two roles. 9 million solid? Nope. But an important part of the defense that will not put up big stats, but will be recognized by intelligent football people. If we simply cut him, as some are suggesting, who is going to play that role? Jackson? Don't know about him yet. Smith? Maybe, but I think they would like him to play the SLB/DPR role.That's not a role that Clowney or Griffen would want to do, nor would they be all that good at it.
Second, he really is not a bum. A 9 million dollar player? Nope. But, a solid football player that does the little things that makes a defense good? Absolutely. I am sorry that many of you don't understand how defenses work, but he is a valuable piece. Again - 9 million good? Nope, but still not a bum.
Third, his salary is not keeping us from getting a player we want. I know people are clamoring for Clowney or Griffen, and if we were in old our old defense, I would be too, with DLaw at LDE and Griffen at RDE. But, Griffen and Clowney would be playing DLaw's role in this defense, and we have that covered. They would not want to play the role that Crawford is going to play, because it's not designed to make a ton of splash plays, nor would they be great at it. Nor would they be good at the SLB/DPR role, and I think they think Smith/Gregory/Anae have that covered. Plus, he is not the only way we can add cap space. Simply signing Dak would give us an extra 10 million or so.
For those of you that think he should be cut, just so Jerry can have 9 million extra dollars, so maybe he can buy a helipad for his yacht - Jerry is not that guy, He appreciates what Crawford has done for this team, he is a leader and has been a solid, but not a great player. He has had numerous surgeries that will handicap him for a big part of his life after football. I am not sure why he is a whipping boy for so many fans. Let me ask you this, whatever your job is, there is a good chance that the longer you do it, the more you will be paid. Let's say you are the 65-year-old guy at your work. Maybe still good at your job, but probably not as good as the 20-somethings or 40-somethings. Are you a bum? Should your boss fire you simply so he can buy a Lamborghini instead of a Mercedes?