Look at the numbers and tell me how they avoid a huge problem in 4 years. $177 million parked in voidable years, $97 million is for Hurts. They could cut Hurts or trade him, as I suggested they would, to avoid part of the problem, but even if the CAP goes up $100 million in the next 4 years they still have a problem. They have to let talent go at some point. Their only way to remain where they are is phenomenal drafting.
They let Slay go this year. I honestly think they made a mistake paying Barkley. You will see more I bet AJ Brown goes next. He is due option bonuses each year over the next 4. Lane Johnson will retire or get the same treatment. Goedert's contract is up after this year. I bet the Eagles draft a TE early this year to replace him. If they don't re-sign Goedert, they have $23 million in dead money against him next year.
If you look at the Eagles contracts there is no place to restructure. The only way to avoid their CAP problem is to release places to avoid paying roster bonuses.
Here are the players we're talking about:
Goedert, Johnson, Barkley, Gardner-Johnson, Hurts, Huff, DeVonta Smith, Dickerson, AJ Brown and Jake Ellios. They already dealt with Graham and Slay. Sweat, Becton, Bradberry, are free agents and account for $54 million in dead money this year.
What the Eagles do is pay player low annual salaries but build in option bonuses to get paid out each year. Once teh bonuses are paid out, the must take them against the CAP - pro-rated over 5 years. That allows them to look like they have a lot of CAP room now, but when all those option bonuses are paid out they pro-rate into voidable years on contracts. In some cases, like Branden Graham, those voidable years come when the player is old and ready for retirement, not a new long term deal.