Salaries and depth problems

[KingCorcoran]

It gets murky. In the NBA that happens, not so much in the NFL.

Sounds like in the NFL QBs ask for coaches more than other players. Some QBs ask for WR's.

I was going to say that NFL should cap the amount as stated above as "20% rule"...and owners can give any bonus amounts they want to QBs.

Mahomes contract length messes things up since he took a 10 year deal and can't get a new deal every 3 or 4 years.

So Mahomes average annual contract is going to look really small 7 years into it compared to current QB deals.

Just allow owners to give bonuses with no cap. So, if Mahomes is on a bad team but best player in the League...but all QBs are getting high contracts, the owner can make up for it in bonus money.

The players are no longer entirely comfortable with the salary cap. It will certainly be an issue in the next CBA. Suggesting further restrictions of any kind will be met with resistance.

 

[erod]

Thank God every single team has the same problem

Every team has the same decision to make. That's the point.

 

[Streifenkarl]

there has been a suggestion out there that each team can pick one player a year to not be part of the salary cap

That would only move the problem one step further. The other players or their agents would want more money instantly.

There has to be an individual players salary cap. 20m per season, no matter what position.

On the other hand, what do we care? This is between billionaires and millionaires. Let them figure it out. Since all teams face the same problems I don't mind. The NFL didn't want dynasties anymore. Yet they still happened. Some are just better at managing their roster than our beloved FO.

 

[Creeper]

I agree and disagree. The Eagles managed to put together an all star team and win a Super Bowl. There is no reason Dallas cannot do the same thing. The problem is the competence of the front office.

I agree with you that in the case of the Dallas Cowboys they probably should have dome some things differently. For example, Dak doesn't deserve the money he has been given. He is not the QB that can carry the team. The better plan for Dallas would be to build a stout defense and a strong running game with a cheaper game managing QB. It is not a guarantee But I think it would be easier than paying Dak $60 million and trying to win by putting it all on him.

Dallas is unique because Jerry is unique in who he values and how much he values them. The Rams built a solid roster and won. The Eagles have done it. They Chiefs are trying to rebuild around Mahomes now.

Then again, we saw the Giants try to load up on talent in free agency only to fail. Washington did it last year and mad some success. It all boils down the the ability of the front office to identify talented player and coaches. Find the over-performers rather than over-compensated.

 

[ghst187]

Season has gotten longer too

 

[John813]

That's how much CeeDee makes per year. That's the point.

It's not a fixed AAV though. That's what separates the teams willing to spend more for a chance to win now to the others who just sit on the sidelines hoping for a big break.

His cap hit for 2025 is 15.3mil, or 18 mil under his AAV. Next tear that will rise above his AAV, where the Cowboys will probably restructure him again, granted he doesn't fall off a cliff, since his 2026 salary is fully guaranteed.
Yes, there will be a year that his remaining term is bloated cap hit wise. and they will have to decide to either extend him or cut him with dead cap-which can be split over two years if needed.
However, this is the same song and dance Dallas has done for over a decade. Restructure, but refuse to be aggressive with the current cap space.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Kansas City somewhat does this with Mahomes. New England did at times with Brady.

KCK has the top paid DT in Chris Jones. Top paid Guard in Trey Smith. 3rd top paid TE in Kelce. 4th top paid Right Tackle...

Point is, you have to pay star players in order to have a chance at wining. can get away from it.

In the current environment it's what positions you commit to and health that will ultimately make the difference.

 

[erod]

It's not a fixed AAV though. That's what separates the teams willing to spend more for a chance to win now to the others who just sit on the sidelines hoping for a big break.

His cap hit for 2025 is 15.3mil, or 18 mil under his AAV. Next tear that will rise above his AAV, where the Cowboys will probably restructure him again, granted he doesn't fall off a cliff, since his 2026 salary is fully guaranteed.
Yes, there will be a year that his remaining term is bloated cap hit wise. and they will have to decide to either extend him or cut him with dead cap-which can be split over two years if needed.
However, this is the same song and dance Dallas has done for over a decade. Restructure, but refuse to be aggressive with the current cap space.

But, as you mentioned, there will be years when his cap hit is well above that mark, too.

That's the problem. You have all of these separate agreements that have their big cap hit years at different times, not to mention dead money deals. Dak, Diggs, Lamb, Micah, Steele, and soon to be Bland, T Smith. It wasn't that big of a problem, then it started to become a problem, and now it's a huge league problem.

In a violent sport like football, if $50 million per year deals become the norm, players are going to get really careful about how they play when they're approaching or have those deals.

It might be best to not swim in those waters as a franchise.

 

[StarBoyz83]

They should sign Pickens. I think they ultimately do sign him.

Hope so or it's pointless. But looking at like 30 a year for him

 

[Swagger]

There was a time when teams could afford an injury to a star player unless it was an elite quarterback. There was depth. A team could have a linebacking corps with Ken Norton, Darrin Smith, Dixon Edwards, Godfrey Myles, Robert Jones, and others. A large group that could all play. A team could weather the season's battering.

Today is much different. Salaries have gotten so massive that a commitment to a single player hamstrings a team from creating such depth. About 90% of a team position allotment is taken by one guy.

Such enormous contracts are incredibly risky. An injury paralyzes a team because too many resources are tied into a single player. You can't fill the roster anymore with good mid-level players. These contracts force teams to go cheap and inexperienced unless a veteran will play for nothing. ,

Then there's the malaise players often get from having so much money at such a young age, their drive disappears. Trevon Diggs is a perfect example, but he's just one of many.

And of course, there's the "risk" players avoid when their big payday is coming. Micah Parsons has another year on his current deal, but if the Cowboys ask him to wait, he'll just "not feel right" all season as he manages his body until he gets his deal.

I'm as big of a capitalist as anybody, but in the NFL, with the nature of short careers and the physical wear and tear, the lottery salaries of today are ruining the sport. Players used to play hurt. A lot. Now, they're babying themselves, always with both eyes on their earning potential first and foremost. Never did Irvin, Emmitt, or Troy even consider thinking like that.

I'm growing toward the opinion that signing the Watts, Micah, Chase, Sauce, and CeeDee types is not the best move anymore. Outside of the elite quarterback, perhaps it's time to avoid those big deals.

Trade elite players while you can for more picks and players. Keep the roster deeper and more well-rounded, instead of dotting it with a few big-dollar names and a bunch of guys named Billy and Broderick that can't play.

Kansas City somewhat does this with Mahomes. New England did at times with Brady.

Micah is the name in question now, but perhaps a different strategy altogether is the way to go.

Fully agree. I made a similar point several years ago about not signing quarterbacks to huge contracts unless they are elite. The issue with Prescott has been compounded by him having two contracts over 4 years. He has been bad in the play offs as well. The decision to resign him a week before last season will go down as the worst contract in the history of the Dallas Cowboys. So much guaranteed money plus a no tradw clause. Comical. His body looks broken at this point so I fully expect him to go down again this season - it will be interesting if the Cowboys stick with him or eat the cap hit and move on in 2026.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

It pretty much starts and ends with the QB. Brady and Mahomes have shown the ability to get more out of less in their supporting casts. NE rarely had huge names at RB and WR except for when Randy Moss was there but Brady was able to get them playing to his level. Same with Mahomes. There are a few others for sure.

If you have that QB, I think you are much less dependent on needing superstars all over the field. And you can build solid depth since you aren't paying everyone top dollar. How many teams have 6 or 7 guys that are among the highest paid at their positions? It seems like we always have a bunch. Right now we have Dak, Cee Dee, Osa, Diggs, with Tyler Smith, Pickens, Bland, and Parsons the next ones up. We have to figure out which ones we can do without and which ones we need to keep. Tyler Smith is a great guard....likely to be the highest paid at his position or close to it, but is he really that much better than a mid level guard and does his position make that much of a difference? Parsons has been great, but the great teams have been able to scheme around him and make him less of a threat. So is he really worth breaking the bank for?

One other thing, it helps to have a great scheme that you can plug and play guys into.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

So, why didn’t we go out and spend it?

I’m tried of hearing about these “greedy players” not taking hometown discounts when the front office doesn’t even spend the cap room they have available.

I mean, that seems like a pretty glaring oversight but Zoners just blow right past it and say that every new guy due for a contract is greedy

Well, Ferguson, being paid 7th highest in the entire league despite being average, *at best*, got thumbs up from everyone around here.

And Zach Martin holding out of almost the entire training camp while under contract, only to come back with a shiny new extension and bonus only to be average, *at best*, his last two years. Well, they were screaming “just pay the man!!!” the entire time he was holding out.

But CeeDee, Zeke, Micah, Diggs, soon to be Bland. Time for them to get paid and everyone is crying real tears about the salary cap and how the greedy, poisonous, bigmouth players don’t want to win.

Didn't see this when I posted mine, but your thinking kind of mirrors mine.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

There was a time when teams could afford an injury to a star player unless it was an elite quarterback. There was depth. A team could have a linebacking corps with Ken Norton, Darrin Smith, Dixon Edwards, Godfrey Myles, Robert Jones, and others. A large group that could all play. A team could weather the season's battering.

Today is much different. Salaries have gotten so massive that a commitment to a single player hamstrings a team from creating such depth. About 90% of a team position allotment is taken by one guy.

Such enormous contracts are incredibly risky. An injury paralyzes a team because too many resources are tied into a single player. You can't fill the roster anymore with good mid-level players. These contracts force teams to go cheap and inexperienced unless a veteran will play for nothing. ,

Then there's the malaise players often get from having so much money at such a young age, their drive disappears. Trevon Diggs is a perfect example, but he's just one of many.

And of course, there's the "risk" players avoid when their big payday is coming. Micah Parsons has another year on his current deal, but if the Cowboys ask him to wait, he'll just "not feel right" all season as he manages his body until he gets his deal.

I'm as big of a capitalist as anybody, but in the NFL, with the nature of short careers and the physical wear and tear, the lottery salaries of today are ruining the sport. Players used to play hurt. A lot. Now, they're babying themselves, always with both eyes on their earning potential first and foremost. Never did Irvin, Emmitt, or Troy even consider thinking like that.

I'm growing toward the opinion that signing the Watts, Micah, Chase, Sauce, and CeeDee types is not the best move anymore. Outside of the elite quarterback, perhaps it's time to avoid those big deals.

Trade elite players while you can for more picks and players. Keep the roster deeper and more well-rounded, instead of dotting it with a few big-dollar names and a bunch of guys named Billy and Broderick that can't play.

Kansas City somewhat does this with Mahomes. New England did at times with Brady.

Micah is the name in question now, but perhaps a different strategy altogether is the way to go.

Salary cap keeps going up. The key is to sign them earlier and to longer contracts and more guaranteed money. Its risky but KC did it. Or you defer money to the future and take a massive hit at some point like eagles.

The rules are what they are. Everyone plays by the same rules. You just have to take some risks and be smart.

And also a little bit of luck with injuries.

The healthier teams tend to do better exactly for reasons you said that teams can't stock pile talent.

And it puts premium on drafting well and hitting on a few lower round players for good depth.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

It pretty much starts and ends with the QB. Brady and Mahomes have shown the ability to get more out of less in their supporting casts. NE rarely had huge names at RB and WR except for when Randy Moss was there but Brady was able to get them playing to his level. Same with Mahomes. There are a few others for sure.

If you have that QB, I think you are much less dependent on needing superstars all over the field. And you can build solid depth since you aren't paying everyone top dollar. How many teams have 6 or 7 guys that are among the highest paid at their positions? It seems like we always have a bunch. Right now we have Dak, Cee Dee, Osa, Diggs, with Tyler Smith, Pickens, Bland, and Parsons the next ones up. We have to figure out which ones we can do without and which ones we need to keep. Tyler Smith is a great guard....likely to be the highest paid at his position or close to it, but is he really that much better than a mid level guard and does his position make that much of a difference? Parsons has been great, but the great teams have been able to scheme around him and make him less of a threat. So is he really worth breaking the bank for?

One other thing, it helps to have a great scheme that you can plug and play guys into.

Yes but it's challenging to find generational QBs. You named two for the past 30 years.

Allen, Burrows and a long list of elite type QBs haven't done it. And teams like eagles have shown you can win with average QBs

 

[Kwyn]

Fully agree. I made a similar point several years ago about not signing quarterbacks to huge contracts unless they are elite. The issue with Prescott has been compounded by him having two contracts over 4 years. He has been bad in the play offs as well. The decision to resign him a week before last season will go down as the worst contract in the history of the Dallas Cowboys. So much guaranteed money plus a no tradw clause. Comical. His body looks broken at this point so I fully expect him to go down again this season - it will be interesting if the Cowboys stick with him or eat the cap hit and move on in 2026.

What is a “huge” contract?

Other than rookie deals there are only a handful of veteran starting QBs making under 40m and it’s unlikely any of them would be able to take their teams to a conference championship, let alone the Super Bowl.

Rodger’s?
Wilson?
Mayfield?

The rest are all making “huge” money and, considering the Cowboys currently have $34m they have no intention of spending and could make another $10m in room with structuring a Micah deal, I’d argue that there is literally *zero* difference this year between Dak’s pay and a guy like Geno Smith.

We could have $45m under the cap and I don’t think Jerry would have signed even the top free agents like Josh Sweat.

 

[DuncanIso]

We do have $34m available right now

Team always rolls over 18-20M for the next season.

Only have to spend 90+ percent of the cap

 

[DuncanIso]

Since the quarterback’s compensation would be contingent on the performance of the entire team does the quarterback get a say in who the team does and does not sign to be his teammates?

Do what the NHL does.

Percentage cap on max contracts per season

18 percent I believe

 

[StarOfGlory]

There was a time when teams could afford an injury to a star player unless it was an elite quarterback. There was depth. A team could have a linebacking corps with Ken Norton, Darrin Smith, Dixon Edwards, Godfrey Myles, Robert Jones, and others. A large group that could all play. A team could weather the season's battering.

Today is much different. Salaries have gotten so massive that a commitment to a single player hamstrings a team from creating such depth. About 90% of a team position allotment is taken by one guy.

Such enormous contracts are incredibly risky. An injury paralyzes a team because too many resources are tied into a single player. You can't fill the roster anymore with good mid-level players. These contracts force teams to go cheap and inexperienced unless a veteran will play for nothing. ,

Then there's the malaise players often get from having so much money at such a young age, their drive disappears. Trevon Diggs is a perfect example, but he's just one of many.

And of course, there's the "risk" players avoid when their big payday is coming. Micah Parsons has another year on his current deal, but if the Cowboys ask him to wait, he'll just "not feel right" all season as he manages his body until he gets his deal.

I'm as big of a capitalist as anybody, but in the NFL, with the nature of short careers and the physical wear and tear, the lottery salaries of today are ruining the sport. Players used to play hurt. A lot. Now, they're babying themselves, always with both eyes on their earning potential first and foremost. Never did Irvin, Emmitt, or Troy even consider thinking like that.

I'm growing toward the opinion that signing the Watts, Micah, Chase, Sauce, and CeeDee types is not the best move anymore. Outside of the elite quarterback, perhaps it's time to avoid those big deals.

Trade elite players while you can for more picks and players. Keep the roster deeper and more well-rounded, instead of dotting it with a few big-dollar names and a bunch of guys named Billy and Broderick that can't play.

Kansas City somewhat does this with Mahomes. New England did at times with Brady.

Micah is the name in question now, but perhaps a different strategy altogether is the way to go.

A team could prioritize a position group or two and build the team around those groups. Philly, Detroit, and Baltimore do that with their lines.

 

[John813]

But, as you mentioned, there will be years when his cap hit is well above that mark, too.

That's the problem. You have all of these separate agreements that have their big cap hit years at different times, not to mention dead money deals. Dak, Diggs, Lamb, Micah, Steele, and soon to be Bland, T Smith. It wasn't that big of a problem, then it started to become a problem, and now it's a huge league problem.

In a violent sport like football, if $50 million per year deals become the norm, players are going to get really careful about how they play when they're approaching or have those deals.

It might be best to not swim in those waters as a franchise.

For sure, but by the mid way of contract #2, most decline or simply aren't worth that salary.

So, it's cheaper to just eat the remaining prorated bonus(0 in actual salary) than to keep them on the roster at the bloated cap hit.
If they still are good, kick it down the road with another extension or restructure.

The way the NFL is growing, I don't see a slowdown in cap ceiling growth any time soon. Unless we hit a recession, I expect 15-30 mil bumps yearly. What was a big contract 2-3 years ago becomes barely 10 ten.

Dallas could of been more aggressive in getting depth/ better FA while their core was still in their primes. Once Parsons re-signs his cap hit will be 1mil base salary+ prorated bonus and any incentives he could hit. Otherwords, less than the 24mil cap hit he has now.

I rather see a true push by the F.O. where there's 1-2 down years every 3-4 years for a reset than just be an constant 1 and done team.

 

[DuncanIso]

They should sign Pickens. I think they ultimately do sign him.

He will want CD $$$ without CD pro bowls.

Some team will give it to him.