JJ Watt being released

[Anti-Polar Bear]

If everyone had free extra cap money to spend without risk and consequence, this isn't a conversation. They and everyone would do it. Since it does have consequences and risk, we should be talking about that as we consider doing it. Just so the whole picture is understood.

The era of “cap hell” has been over for almost two decades. There’s no such fuck as a “cap hell” anymore. Ever since 2006, the NFL has been greedily entrenched in the “bailout” era.

“Backloading” contracts will and do stress the cap somewhat in future years. But the Networks have always been more than happy to bailout the pig owners. And the Networks are about to pay the pigs, perhaps as early as 2022, even more frogskins for the rights to expose us to corporate ads on any given Sunday.

Cook the cap today. Who gives a fuck about being 30 M “over” the cap, all things being equal (things won’t), in ‘22, 50 M in ‘23, and 70 M in ‘24 when the cap’s gonna increase by 50 M, 70 M, and 100 M respectively? Bailouts.

Again, there’s no such fuck as a cap hell anymore. The cap today merely serves an excuse for the pig owners to cut labor expense. Only relevant question is, does pig Jerry Jones want to take home $200 M for fiscal year 2021, or does he hand Mulatto QB Dak Prescott $120 M and take home only $90 M?

[Anti-Polar Bear]

RG, what you're talking about is what the Packers offered Aaron Jones that he rejected. What I'm talking about is what he supposedly wants and what we should be offering - a huge bonus spread out over 6-7 years and a tiny first year salary - $35 million bonus with $1 million first year salary, $8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15 million for years 2-7. That's $108 million for 7 years, $36 million guaranteed, and just a $6 million cap hit the first year. THAT is what I'm talking about when I say cooking the cap.

If he gets hurt or fades soon, we are screwed, but if he's still good to his early 30s, it's a fair deal.

Signing bonuses, the only guaranteed part of an NFL contract, can only be spread out up to a maximum of 5 years. Other than that, what you’ve jotted down is one way to cook the cap.

The Kentucky should certainly heed whatcha gotta say.

[Upnorth]

RG, what you're talking about is what the Packers offered Aaron Jones that he rejected. What I'm talking about is what he supposedly wants and what we should be offering - a huge bonus spread out over 6-7 years and a tiny first year salary - $35 million bonus with $1 million first year salary, $8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15 million for years 2-7. That's $108 million for 7 years, $36 million guaranteed, and just a $6 million cap hit the first year. THAT is what I'm talking about when I say cooking the cap.

If he gets hurt or fades soon, we are screwed, but if he's still good to his early 30s, it's a fair deal.

You think jones is worth an average of 15.5 million???

With those numbers you let him walk.

[King Friday]

You think jones is worth an average of 15.5 million???

With those numbers you let him walk.

I agree. No RB is worth that kind of coin. The rookies coming into the league are more ready then ever before. Recent mega signings at RB now look downright foolish, such as Elliott and Gurley. I like Jones a lot as a player, but spending that kind of coin on a RB precludes you from spending the money at other more important positions. Since we already paid Bahk, the writing was kind of on the wall for Jones...along with the Dillon pick.

[KYPack]

There is no cap hell anymore? Don't try to tell me that. Go on down to NO or up to Boston and tell them they can ignore the cap They are both passing thru the various phases of cap hell right now. So are we. The Packers are about to lose two all-pro talents bc of our cap situation. We are furthermore hamstrung in our efforts to sign new vet talent in lieu of our present cap miseries.

(BTW, thanks to Harvey for posting where there is some gold that we can tap into with our present contracts. But like you said Harve, some of that is true, but could we do all the moves you suggest? I don't think so)

We will lose Jones and Lindsley. We will not be in the "race" for JJ Watt, our cap position doesn't allow it. We may sign a vet CB, but probably not the marquee names that have been kicked about We have other things we have to get working on. Tonyan is an RFA. We need to offer him a good tender to keep him in the fold. We are in cap hell right now. We will field a team and all that, but some good players are going to leave our team to get better contracts to feed their family.

[George Cumby]

We're all slathered up over Watt, getting all hot and bothered, watch him go the Seattle or some shit.

[King Friday]

I hope they do what it takes to keep Lindsley. I wish they hadn't paid Bahk. That will be viewed as a mistake moving forward. He's a great player, but we got the bulk of his best years already. We paid way too much to keep him, and we will lose a lot of younger talent as a result. I can stomach losing Jones. I can stomach dumping quite a few of our mediocre defensive players. If it is a choice between Lindsley and Watt, it isn't even a choice. You keep the young All Pro center who should be great for the next 6-8 years.

[run pMc]

Like Watt, would love to see him healthy and productive for the packers, but it ain't gonna happen. They have to shed a lot of cap, and even then unless they sign him for a very, very deep discount Gute's not gonna sign a guy in his 30's with a long injury history.

They will do something on the DL, but I'm highly skeptical that's the move they make.

[texaspackerbacker]

You think jones is worth an average of 15.5 million???

With those numbers you let him walk.

The numbers were theoretical - to illustrate taking advantage of the cap using a large bonus. I wasn't aware of what APB told me, the five year thing, but it's still the best way to go anytime, especially in a weird cap year like this one. I honestly don't know what the market figure is for a top rated RB, but I'd sure pay Jones as much or more than Cook or Elliot or Henry or anybody else you can name.

APB, regarding what you said about bailouts, allowing teams to spend their own income at an ever-increasing cap level is definitely not a bailout. Jerry Jones is in it to win it, and empathizing a little bit with his old ass, he wants to get it done sooner rather than later. That is more important than overstuffing his bank account. If he's smart, and I'm pretty sure he is, he will sign Dak on a stretched out contract with a lower cap hit instead of the franchise tag where it kills you the first year and then you lose the guy anyway.

[GB-Brandon]

Well there is one of the moves.

https://twitter.com/rapsheet/status/1360724685584027650?s=21

[GB-Brandon]

https://packerswire.usatoday.com/2021/02/14/report-packers-have-interest-in-adding-dl-j-j-watt/

[Teamcheez1]

https://packerswire.usatoday.com/202...g-dl-j-j-watt/

I really don’t want JJ Watt at this point in his career. Money would be better spent elsewhere.

[bobblehead]

Tex, yer dreaming. We've got a ton of manipulations contractually just to stay somewhat even. We are approx 32 million over the cap depending on the number that gets hashed out. Restructuring a few deals is NOT gonna put us in good shape. I know you are a huge Aaron Jones fan. He is gone. Part of your "solution" is to offer him a 108 million dollar package? That ain't even happening. The best that can be hoped for is to sign Linsley, but that too, is probably out of our range.

Get JJ Watt and an established corner to boot?

That's a total fantasy

I have read a group of things they can do that would put them about 15 million under the cap before signing ANYONE. They would be down guys like Lowrey and such. The only real loss would be Preston. Thats all well and good, but it kicks about 30 million down the road. If you accept the big rebuild in 2 years thats fine because you aren't re signing many of the young guys on the team right now.

[GB-Brandon]

I really don’t want JJ Watt at this point in his career. Money would be better spent elsewhere.

I don’t understand? Everyone wants this big Championship Defense and this is the move that gets us there the quickest with an aging star QB. He rated out at “85.5” in his advanced metrics last season so he can still play. You would have to believe playing alongside Kenny Clark and Z. Smith and Gary would only make him better. Then throw in the fact that he is most likely going to be living a childhood dream of playing for the Packers and I don’t know what more you could as for. This is the move!! The fact that he is gonna come here and probably play for about 10 million less then he could of @ Houston should tell ya something. This really couldn’t get any better. The Packers will need him to stay healthy but that’s the risk and I think they need to put him on a snap count and save him up for the playoffs.

[GB-Brandon]

JJ Watt will leave every body part he has on Lambeau Field for us. I completely trust this guy to get in phenomenal shape and give the Packers everything he has. Way more then I trust P. Smith and others like Kirksey!! At the 7-10 range I say go for it!! We’re running out of opportunities and chances!!

He is the missing piece on the DL on paper. It’s a glaring hole!! I don’t think the game changer big body DL’s in draft will be on the board when Packers select at 30. This kills two birds with one stone!