Quote: @MaroonBells said:
Another article on Schraeder. I have no clue about the NFL rules when it comes to matters like this, but is it possible that someone who is "released with a post June 1st designation" can't sign with another team until after June 1? Sure would clear things up. He's too good to still be on the market. Schraeder had a terrible 2018, but he's an outside zone RT who was considered one of the best in the league not too long ago.
https://chargerswire.usatoday.com/2019/05/08/chargers-ot-ryan-schraeder-among-best-free-agent-fits-remaining/
The player can sign immediately. The post-June 1st designation is for cap purposes only. If you release the player prior to June-1 your can select the designation and you're just punting on the cap implications hitting in June vs. immediately.
So using Reiff as an example here are the impact pre and post June-1.
Cut prior to June 1 or without a Post June-1 designation: Vikings immediately gain $5.1M in net cap space (Salary - Dead Money) plus Reiff's roster spot. The full $6.6M of dead money is accelerated onto the 2019 cap. Net savings in 2020 are then Reiff's full cap hit of $13.2M. Reiff can sign whenever released.
Cut Post June-1 or with Designation: Vikings gain $0 cap space until June-1st but open up Reiff's roster spot immediately. Post June-1 Reiffs salary comes off the books and they gain $9.5M in net cap space. This years pro-rated signing bonus $2.2M remains on this years cap. The remaining $4.4M in dead money is accounted for on the 2020 salary cap. Net cap savings in 2020 is then $8.8M. Once again Reiff can sign whenever he wants and does not need to wait until June.
To show another way if the Vikings outright release Reiff prior to June 1 they save $5.1M in 2019 & $13.2M in 2020 cap space. Total cap savings = 18.3M over two years.
If they alternatively use the Post June-1 designation they save $9.5M in 2019 and $8.8M in 2020 cap space. Total cap savings = 18.3M over two years.
This proves is purely cap accounting based since you end up in the same spot after two season.
Why the Post-June 1 designation makes some sense for Reiff is that it opens up the additional cap now for the Vikings for in-season moves. But next year they would reap the benefits of rolling over any unspent 2018 money onto their 2019 cap. Assuming keep around $5M of space this season that would off-set the dead money pushed into 2020. Its a slight loophole you could use. But their biggest cap asset in 2020 is Kirk Cousins.