Not at that price it isn't. Far from it.
It would be high for a back up but not as high as it would be for a typical back up with our rotation. And this goes back to being well liked that you think has 0 to do with. JJ and the coaching staff won't cut a guy that is well liked by them, and the team, and a leader on the field, and locker room, and who can start at any position if needed, for 5.9m in cap savings. When they have 19m already, other players who can be cut that doesnt have the position flexability that Crawford' does for cap savings. Doesn't make sense to cut him UNLESS, someone steps up and out performs him or maybe even equal his play.
Sorry, but being "well liked" by a bunch of people doesn't win you football games. Ultimately, you have to produce on the field. Stop the run, get sacks on your own when they don't have to stunt for you to do something. Don't get destroyed every time you line up against a starting offensive tackle. Those kinds of things. Actual on field productivity.
I gave you more than well liked. And his on the field is production is pretty much on par with others making the same amount. A little behind some at DE and ahead of most at DT.
It is a "bad thing" at that cost. There's no two ways about it. Especially when you can get a guy to do that same job for less than $1 million.
If, and I'll repeat IF, you can find one who makes less, than yes, replace him. Your acting like it's a done deal and we should start the paper work for cutting him.
Do you know how much he makes and what other players that make around the same? You keep mentioning his cost but he's the 40th highest paid DL in the NFL. And most of those around his pay can't, or doesn't, play inside and outside and can, or has started at both. Again, he's a solid player, good leader on the field and locker room, can start inside and out and had started inside and out, well liked and that matters even if you don't like it and think it doesn't matter. Does it matter id someone clearly beats him out? Of course not. But if it's close, position flex , leadership and being well liked, will all come into play, along with his salary.
