2014 Salary Cap situation

[dude82]

Bleacher Report did an article on the salary cap situation for the 2014 season for the Seahawks. It looks like, if nothing else changes, the Seahawks will have a little over $5 million in cap space next year including roughly $2 million in carryover from this season. Obviously some tough and not-so-tough decisions will be made between the end of the Seahawks 2013 season and the start of the 2014 season, but this is where it stands at this point.


Seahawks 2014 Salary Cap: Breaking Down Overall, Position-Specific Cap Space | Bleacher Report

 

[Wolvie]

GREAT article. The way they break it down by position is awesome. It is going to be a very interesting off-season for sure. I didn't realize that Earl Thomas was already making 6 Mill a year. That is great news IMO as his bump in pay raise won't be nearly as steep as I once thought it would be.

I think the key guys we need to resign are Bennett, Thurmond, Baldwin (as a $2 mill RFA), and Michael Robinson (if on the cheap). If Tate comes at value then we should try to resign him as well.

Guys we should cut to make this happen: Sydney Rice, Chris Clemons, Spencer Ware, and if necessary, Zach Miller.

Our following offseason though is probably going to be brutal though as Thomas, Sherman, and Okung all become free agents. I would expect next year will be Harvin's last with the team.

 

[Tech_God]

I would expect next year will be Harvin's last with the team.

Why is that? I though Harvin was signed for six years....

 

[Wolvie]

Why is that? I though Harvin was signed for six years....

Because if we keep him beyond then, then we won't be able to keep other key pieces. We sign him long-term to entice him knowing full well that he will only be here for half of that time

 

[blstoker]

I was gonna wait, but I'll post here. Remember, this is just a thought, not necessarily what will happen. If what I say happens, there will be around $4 million for draft picks....not sure if it's enough, but I'm sure more money can be found.

Under Contract Savings

Zach Miller – 2014 Salary Cap # $7,000,000

I say keep him the way he is. I know there are those who think that he hasn't been productive enough to justify the money he is making, but Willson isn't ready to be the #1 TE and who knows what McCoy make be when he comes back (if he's even re-signed). The Hawks are already saving $4,000,000 from his 2013 salary, and his salary will drop again in 2015. Savings - $0

Sidney Rice – 2014 Salary Cap # $9,700,000

I say restructure his contract. His cap number in 2014 is just too high, and his # in 2015 is even higher. His lack of production and the injury he suffered this year would make it difficult for him to generate much interest around the league. I still like him and think he will be valuable, especially if Tate moves on. I would offer him a 1 year deal for the league minnimum base salary and structure in his $2,400,000 signing bonus. This will drop his salary cap number from $9.7 million to $3,255,000 (a savings of $6,445, 000). To just cut him would cost the Hawks $3.6 million this year ($345,000 more than my scenario) and $2.4 million next year. I don't think he would actually get any more money anywhere else, and it gives him a year to show he has recovered from the injury. If he doesn't want to restructure, cut him. Savings - $6,445,000

Marshawn Lynch – 2014 Salary Cap # $7,000,000

Let him play it out. He is extremely important to the Seahawks offense. Despite all the love Christine Michael gets from fans, he was inactive for much of this season, and Robert Turbin hasn't had enough touches to show he can carry the load as a feature back. Lynch really just has this one more season before he could find himself as a salary cap casualty, with $9,000,000 being owed him in 2015. Beast Mode for one more year. Savings - $0

Chris Clemons – 2014 Salary Cap # $9,666,667

I love Clemons, and think that he was a very underrated pass rusher from 2010-2012, but he just hasn't been the same this season after the knee injury. As much as I would love to say that next year will be better with one year removed from the injury, I just don't think the team can take the chance with his price tag. I'd love to restructure his contract to $2,500,000 while allowing him to keep his signing bonus of $2,166,667. This scenario would save the Hawks $5,000,000, but if he isn't game, cut him and save $5,500,000. Savings - $5,000,000

Red Bryant – 2014 Salary Cap # $8,500,000

Restructure Bryant, he's owed $23,500,000 – but it'll only cost $6,000,000 total to cut him. Keep contract as currently structured, except drop annual salary starting in 2014 to $2, $4 & $5 million respectively. I'm not sure it's really worth cutting him this year if he doesn't want to restructure, but it is nearly painless to do so in 2015. Savings - $2,500,000 in 2014 ($2 million in each 2015 & 2016)

Brandon Mebane – 2014 Salary Cap # $5,700,000

I don't think there's much money here. I would ask him to restructure, but I would ask him to take less money overall for more guaranteed money. Offer him a contract with the base salary at $3 million and a $1.5 million dollar bonus for each 2014 and 2015. The Hawks get some cap space back, but Mebane is guaranteed at least $3 million (right now he has only $400,000 left that is guaranteed). Savings - $1,200,000 for both 2014 & 2015

Cliff Avril – 2014 Salary Cap # $9,250,000

No reason to not just pay him. Unless the Hawks release him the day of the Super Bowl, $5,000,000 of his $7,000,000 salary becomes guaranteed. With that, it would actually cost the Hawks $250,000 more to cut him than to just keep him. This keeps Avril from having any incentive to restructure his contract. Savings - $0

James Carpenter – 2014 Salary Cap # $2,431,364

I wouldn't mind seeing him cut, but it really may not be worth it. He can back up at guard, and even cutting him only saves $1.4 million. There just won't be enough money to find someone to step in for that kind of money, so just let him play out his contract. Savings - $0

Bruce Irvin – 2014 Salary Cap # $2,547,872

No one is talking about it, but I thought I'd throw him in here as a possibility, just as a why this WILL NOT happen. It would cost the Hawks more in dead money against their cap ($2,617,164) than it would to just keep him. Savings - $0

Free Agents

Breno Giacomini – 2013 Salary Cap # $4,250,000

I say let him walk. He's at best an average RT, and he's been penalty prone since he got here. It will be sad to watch the toughness on the line leave, but he's been good for at least 10 yards in penalties a game and has single handedly killed drives. Cost - $0

Michael Bennett – 2013 Salary Cap # $4,800,000

Bennett was a surprise for me. I thought he was a good signing, but he's been even better than I thought he would be. I would love to see them re-sign him, but I'm not sure they could afford to do more than what they already offered him. I say instead of a one year, give him 2 with a total of $6,000,000 salary and a $3,000,000 signing bonus. Cost - $4,500,000 each 2014 and 2015.

Paul McQuistan – 2013 Salary Cap # $3,375,000

This is easily a walk. The team can't bring him back after he lost his job to an under achieving lineman who in turn lost it to a rookie drafted in round 7. Cost - $0

Golden Tate – 2013 Salary Cap # $880,000

Re-sign Tate. He's been extremely important to the offense this season and maybe even more valuable as a punt returner. I'd say give him a 4 year deal worth $10 million base salary and $4 million signing bonus. Cost - $3,000,000 in 2014.

Chris Maragos – 2013 Salaray Cap # $855,000

Re-sign him at a league minnimum contract. Cost - $730,000

Tarvaris Jackson – 2013 Salaray Cap # $840,000

I like Jackson and was really happy to see him come here, he should also be really cheap ($855,000), but if the Hawks can get someone like Keith Price in the draft, it could be a solid situation at a cheaper price. Cost - $0

Brandon Browner – 2013 Salary Cap # $773,756

Another guy who I like, but his trouble with the league, his age and his cost all go against bringing him back, especially if Tharold Simon comes in and shows he can do what Browner does, as Maxwell has shown he can start for cheaper. Cost $0

Kellen Davis – 2013 Salaray Cap # $672,941

Let him walk. He's here only because of injury and I say unless we see him as being a intergal part of the team (which I doubt) let him see if he can catch on somewhere else. Cost - $0

Anthony McCoy – 2013 Salary Cap # $656,212

I like McCoy, and he would be a solid third of the three headed TE position. I would re-sign him at the league minnimum. Cost - $730,000

O'Brien Schofield – 2013 Salary Cap # $630,000

He spent most of the year as a special team player, and though I really like him, I'm not sure it's $730,000 to bring him back for special teams. Cost - $0

Steven Hauschka – 2013 Salary Cap # $620,000

Coming off the best season for a kicker in Seahawk history, he's a must sign. Kickers don't gernerally command huge salaries, but I think he get offered a million a year for a 3 or 4 year deal. Cost - $1,000,000

Clinton McDonald – 2013 Salary Cap # $592,941

I would love to re-sign him. There were times this year when he was a beast in the middle and he gives depth at DT. Cost - $730,000

Tony McDaniel – 2013 Salary Cap # $605,000

I really thought he was solid this year, and he gave us great play off the bench. Unfortunately, he would command nearly $1 million for the Hawks to bring him back in this role, so he just has to be allowed to go somewhere else. Cost - $0

Walter Thurmond – 2013 Salary Cap # $607,639

He really hurt himself by getting busted for substance abuse. If the Hawks can get him for minnimum I say do it, but if not, let him walk. Cost - $730,000

Doug Baldwin – 2013 Salary Cap # $560,833

Offer him a 2nd round tender, $2 million I believe, and just see if anyone wants to give us a pick for our #3 WR. Cost - $2,124,000

Jeron Johnson, Michael Morgan and Lemuel Jeanpierre – 2013 Salary Cap # $1,670,000 combined

All three of the teams remaining restricted free agents were all undrafted but not worth a tender offer of even the low tender which should be somewhere around $1.38 million. If the team can bring them back at league minimum, then they should, but otherwise let them walk and see if they will have a better opportunity to continue their careers elsewhere. I would say Jeanpierre would be the only one I would concider a solid re-sign and I'd leave it at that. Cost - $645,000

Michael Robinson – 2013 Salary Cap # $326,470

I really like Robinson, but I think that once again the team and him will part ways. Cost - $0

 

[HaroldSeattle]

I love doing the roster and cost vs value, but want to try to save it until we've won the Superbowl. The off season is long and this subject is of greater value then vs now when the Seahawks are shooting for the Superbowl.

However being a sucker for this subject, I think your off on savings on at least one of these players. Seahawks can save at least $7 million cutting Avril if I'm reading the stats right.

Cliff Avril Contracts, Salaries, Cap Hits, & Transactions

 

[SeattleCoug]

I think Rice and Clemons are definitely going to be cut. The rest is up for debate. I'd like Bennett and Tate resigned but the rest will be tough. Thurmond is more of luxury then a necessity, I'd rather see his money given to Maxwell possibly if he continues to play well. I actually wouldnt be opposed to bringing Sidney Rice back on a cheaper deal. He's still young, knows the offense and probably wont command a lot of money given his injury history.
I know there is a lot of tough decisions ahead. I figured I would wait till after our run is over before worrying to much about it.

 

[blstoker]

I love doing the roster and cost vs value, but want to try to save it until we've won the Superbowl. The off season is long and this subject is of greater value then vs now when the Seahawks are shooting for the Superbowl.

However being a sucker for this subject, I think your off on savings on at least one of these players. Seahawks can save at least $7 million cutting Avril if I'm reading the stats right.

Cliff Avril Contracts, Salaries, Cap Hits, & Transactions

Well, they only save $7 million if he's cut before the day after the Super Bowl, otherwise $5 million of his $7 million salary becomes guaranteed. Read the fine print section just under his salary breakdown. Unless we cut him immediately, he still costs a lot whether he's here or not. Cliff Avril Contracts, Salaries, Cap Hits, & Transactions

 

[HaroldSeattle]

Not seeing where it says that, but if even if it does, it just means the Seahawks have to make a quick decision. Frankly I think they may cut him and resign Bennett who is more valuable IMO. Lots of ifs and buts, lets save it for the off season.

 

[blstoker]

Not seeing where it says that, but if even if it does, it just means the Seahawks have to make a quick decision. Frankly I think they may cut him and resign Bennett who is more valuable IMO. Lots of ifs and buts, lets save it for the off season.

Just under the yearly breakdown of his salary, there are 4 bullet points,

CONTRACT:2 yr(s) / $13,000,000 SIGNING BONUS $4,500,000 AVERAGE SALARY $6,500,000 GUARANTEED:$6,000,000 FREE AGENT:2015 / Unrestricted
YEAR BASE S. BONUS MISC. CAP HIT DEAD
2013 1,500,000 2,250,000 - 3,750,000 6,000,000
2014 7,000,000 2,250,000 - 9,250,000 2,250,000
2015 UFA

• $6 million guaranteed (signing bonus + 2013 bonus)
  [*]Additional $5 million guarantees 1 day after SB (2014 base)
• NLTBE Incentive: $700,000
• 2014 Sack Escalator: $700,000

Sorry it didn't copy exactly.

 

[blstoker]

If he isn't cut before Feb 3, it will actually cost the Hawks $9,500,000 against the salary cap ($5,000,000 salary, $2,250,000 signing bonus and $2,250,000 dead money) to cut him, but his cap hit is only $9,250,000 to keep him. If he's a Seahawk on February 3rd, he's a Seahawk for 2014.

 

[seahawksfan234]

Golden Tate – 2013 Salary Cap # $880,000

Re-sign Tate. He's been extremely important to the offense this season and maybe even more valuable as a punt returner. I'd say give him a 4 year deal worth $10 million base salary and $4 million signing bonus. Cost - $3,000,000 in 2014.

Great post blstoker, I just wanted to highlight this and give my two cents.

I know what everyone is thinking, SF234 talking about Tate again... I know, I know, but this time it is positive for Tate.

I think the idea of getting him on a 4 year $14m contract is extreme wishful thinking. The best comparison for a contract I expect Golden Tate to receive, ironically, comes from the former Seahawks WR Nate Burleson. Burleson, who on another ironic note was the guy I most compared Tate to coming out of the draft, received a 5 year $25m deal from the Lions upon departing from the Seahawks. Burleson was coming off of a 2 year stretch pretty similar to Tate's:

Nate Burleson:
2007: 16 games 50 catches 694 yards 9 TD (658 yards on PRs 1TD, 590 yards on KRs 1TD)
2009: 13 games 63 catches 812 yards 3 TD (252 yards on PRs)
Total: 29 games 113 catches 1506 12 TDs

I included 2009 and 2007 not to cherry pick my stats, but because Burleson only played 1 game in 2008 due to the fact that he was placed on the IR after the Seahawks season opener against the Bills.

Golden Tate:
2012: 15 games 45 catches 688 yards 7 TD (0 PR/KR yards)
2013: 16 games 64 catches 898 yards 5 TD (585 PR yards)
Total: 31 games 109 catches 1,586 yards 12 TDs

The numbers are pretty similar, they also both have similar play styles, though I would value Tate over Burleson in the open market due to Tate's durability, better blocking skills, age (I believe Tate will be about 3 years younger than Burleson was when he hit the open market) and higher upside (Tate has improved every year he has been with the Seahawks, there is still the possibility he could improve his route running).

That being said, I believe that the market value for Golden Tate would be around what Burleson received. I believe that Tate is a better player than Burleson, younger and has a higher upside than Burleson did, but I also believe Burleson was overpaid by about a year and a million per season.

4 to 5 years around $5m per season is what I would expect Tate to get. I would really be surprised to see him signed for less than $4m per season.

 

[blstoker]

I think the idea of getting him on a 4 year $14m contract is extreme wishful thinking.

Oh, I agree 100%, but unfortunately for the Seahawks, there just isn't that much money for the amount of holes needing to be filled. I actually expect Tate to walk this off season, opening up room for the Seahawks to draft a WR to go with Harvin, Rice*, Baldwin, Kearse and Lockette. Rice is starred because I also am not sure he'll be willing to be that friendly to the Seahawks, and may try to get a better deal somewhere else.

 

[dude82]

I know that this topic would be better suited for after the Super Bowl, but I saw the article and didn't think I'd remember to post it in a few weeks, so I posted it now.

 

[seahawksfan234]

I know that this topic would be better suited for after the Super Bowl, but I saw the article and didn't think I'd remember to post it in a few weeks, so I posted it now.

Oh well I'm sure the discussion will be brought up again. It gives for good conversation.

 

[blstoker]

Oh well I'm sure the discussion will be brought up again. It gives for good conversation.

That, and the fact that it's the 9ers we're playing makes it so the fans need something new to talk about. Let's face it, the 9ers have been a main topic of conversation on the board, even when we're playing someone else. I posted my LONG WINDED!!! post now because it adds a new dimension to the board aside from 9ers, refs and Bevell, all of which have been discussed ad nauseum.

 

[Suhsyourdaddy]

Here is an awesome site with a salary cap calculator that you can play around with how cutting, extending, etc...players on your current roster and your teams fa's will affect future years salary cap situation.

Salary Cap Calculator - Over the Cap

I'm a big salary cap geek so its fun to mess with if you have a pretty good grasp on how the salary cap works and can be manipulated. I figure you guys will have a lot of time to discuss off season moves come Monday, so I just thought I'd share!

 

[HaroldSeattle]

Here is an awesome site with a salary cap calculator that you can play around with how cutting, extending, etc...players on your current roster and your teams fa's will affect future years salary cap situation.

Salary Cap Calculator - Over the Cap

I'm a big salary cap geek so its fun to mess with if you have a pretty good grasp on how the salary cap works and can be manipulated. I figure you guys will have a lot of time to discuss off season moves come Monday, so I just thought I'd share!

Hey thanks. This is a awesome tool for salary cap geeks, like myself.