Cap Space & Extending Brissett

[Colt Classic]

Originally Posted by VeveJones007

The bold is basically what I'm saying. I'll just throw out this deal as an example so you know what I'm talking about:

5 years (2019-2023), $100MM, $50MM guaranteed
-2019: $35MM (fully guaranteed)
-2020: $20MM ($15MM guaranteed)
-2021-2023: $18.3MM per year ($0 guaranteed)

A deal like this would give Brissett a ton of money upfront, while also protecting the team in case he sucks (cut after 2020 or 2021) or is good enough to extend (major savings in 2021-2023 vs what he could potentially cost). The only real cost is the huge 2019 cap hit, but the team has a ton of room anyway. Even if they think Brissett turns out to be a 2020 stopgap, he would be cheaper under this deal than the franchise tag in 2020 ($25MM).

I see that as how Dr. Spaceman sees it--you're trying to pay up now to have him bail the team out of a jam yet expecting him to not be good enough to be a long-term solution (which if it were me would be seen as an insult) OR hoping to lowball him on the back end of the deal (which is also a bit of an insult--thanks for exceeding our expectations, now here's a paycheck well below what you've EARNED from such good fortune) when if he just let it play out and bet on himself, he'd probably see about as much money anyway--unless his ceiling is a decent backup--at which point the team should've just waited for him to prove it.

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by VeveJones007

The bold is basically what I'm saying. I'll just throw out this deal as an example so you know what I'm talking about:

5 years (2019-2023), $100MM, $50MM guaranteed
-2019: $35MM (fully guaranteed)
-2020: $20MM ($15MM guaranteed)
-2021-2023: $18.3MM per year ($0 guaranteed)

A deal like this would give Brissett a ton of money upfront, while also protecting the team in case he sucks (cut after 2020 or 2021) or is good enough to extend (major savings in 2021-2023 vs what he could potentially cost). The only real cost is the huge 2019 cap hit, but the team has a ton of room anyway. Even if they think Brissett turns out to be a 2020 stopgap, he would be cheaper under this deal than the franchise tag in 2020 ($25MM).

Sorry, but I just can’t see this happening. Ballard’s built up a pretty good reputation during his short tenure in Indy, and if he signs an unproven Brissett to a contract paying him a guaranteed $35M next year I think people would start thinking he’s a lunatic. If Brissett surprises everyone and becomes a Pro Bowl QB next year, Ballard would be vindicated, but short of that he’d most likely end up looking like a fool.

I know its appealing to lock up a young player at a bargain price before he blossoms, but I think you need to be very judicious about which players you do this with. Paying Brissett that kind of money would essentially force us to commit to him as our most important player for the next two years, and I personally don’t see the track record to justify that and so, to me, it would just be reckless.

[smitty46953]

Originally Posted by VeveJones007

If you wait, you run the risk of him putting up solid numbers and commanding a contract on par with Garoppolo's. That's the downside.

What I'm suggesting is to frontload a big part of it into the 2019 cap space and structure it so that you can get out after 2019 or 2020 if he isn't the right guy. Basically, cut Brissett a $30MM check now and cut bait pretty quickly if he isn't the guy...or save a TON of money from 2020-2023 if he is a solid starter.

Pretty good Veve, you nailed it …

[VeveJones007]

Originally Posted by smitty46953

Pretty good Veve, you nailed it …

I didn’t mention the impact it has on the locker room, though. This sends a clear message and needed to happen once Hoyer was signed. Hoyer couldn’t be paid more than Brissett.

[Colt Classic]

Will they re-work Kelly's deal when he starts week 3?