Cutting Cousins cap hit in half without adding money
Some in the Viking world have been talking about ways the Vikings can reduce Cousins' $45M cap hit. Here's one take from the OTC guy.
There is a way, though, that Cousins’ cap number for 2022 could be lowered by as much as $27.104 million without committing extra dollars to him. That could be accomplished by adding four voidable years to his contract to absorb additional money from 2022.
If Cousins were to agree to it, the Vikings could lower his base salary of $35 million in 2022 to as low as the NFL minimum contract amount of $1.12 million. Then they could pay immediately the remaining $33.88 million in a signing bonus that would be divided for cap purposes among 2022 and the four voidable years on his contract at $6.776 million per year. That would drop Cousins’ cap number in 2022 from $45.166 million to $18.062 million and would easily get them under the cap by Wednesday.
“He would have to cooperate for that, but if they were going to keep him for the year, I think he’d be fine doing that because it’s only going to benefit him if the team has better players there and he has a better chance to make the playoffs because he’s going to be a a free agent next year if he doesn’t make an extension,’’ said Jason Fitzgerald, a cap analyst who runs the website OvertheCap.com. “They could say, ‘We’ll give you a favorable date even on the void. We’ll give you five days after the Super Bowl, so you have clarity right away about doing an extension.’ … I think that’s a strong possibility if he’s going to remain on the team.”
Such a maneuver would commit the Vikings to Cousins for 2022. A trade would be off the table since any team that dealt for Cousins would be responsible only for his base salary.
The ability to put voidable years in contracts long has been in the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement and has been used by teams, including the Vikings, much more recently. That’s primarily because the coronavirus pandemic resulted in the cap being lowered from $198.2 million in 2020 to $182.5 million in 2021 and not being as high this year as it would be have been had there not have been so much lost revenue. But team officials know the cap will rise significantly in future seasons.
Fitzgerald projects the cap to be between $225 million and $230 million in 2023 and to be about $260 million in 2024 when the lucrative new television deals hit the books. So if the Vikings were to spread out Cousins’ money with as much as $6.776 million cap hits from 2023-26, even if he’s no longer on the team, that might not be a huge issue.
https://www.twincities.com/2022/03/12/vikings-could-lower-kirk-cousins-2022-cap-number-by-27-million-without-an-extension/
“A gentleman is someone who can play the accordion, but doesn't." - Tom Waits
I would not be surprised at all if this is what happens.
@"purplefaithful" said: I would not be surprised at all if this is what happens.It never ceases to amaze me how many ways there are to shift, move and manipulate cap hits. That PFTW guy keeps saying the "cap is a myth." I really kind of is.
So with this option open to the Vikings, it makes you wonder what they're up to. Knowing this is something they can do last minute, maybe they're waiting until then to see how things play out. To see what kind of offers come in for Hunter, even Cousins. And just how much are the Texans asking for Watson? The moon? Less? And can we trust these guys? I'm reminded that neither KAM or KOC have ever done any of this before.
Our roster is obviously part of our appeal to Watson. Might be a bait and switch to lure him here only to say "Psych! Half of those guys are no longer on the team."
The cap is only difficult if you've never played Tetris.
@"MaroonBells" said:@"purplefaithful" said: I would not be surprised at all if this is what happens. It never ceases to amaze me how many ways there are to shift, move and manipulate cap hits. That PFTW guy keeps saying the "cap is a myth." I really kind of is.So with this option open to the Vikings, it makes you wonder what they're up to. Knowing this is something they can do last minute, maybe they're waiting until then to see how things play out. To see what kind of offers come in for Hunter, even Cousins. And just how much are the Texans asking for Watson? The moon? Less? And can we trust these guys? I'm reminded that neither KAM or KOC have ever done any of this before.
Our roster is obviously part of our appeal to Watson. Might be a bait and switch to lure him here only to say "Psych! Half of those guys are no longer on the team."
For this 45 year fan?KAM/KOC are starting off with me having a feeling of high expectation. An expectation they'll become an elite front office/staff.
Hopefully they'll confirm those expectations over the next 2-3 seasons.
@"purplefaithful" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"purplefaithful" said: I would not be surprised at all if this is what happens. It never ceases to amaze me how many ways there are to shift, move and manipulate cap hits. That PFTW guy keeps saying the "cap is a myth." I really kind of is.So with this option open to the Vikings, it makes you wonder what they're up to. Knowing this is something they can do last minute, maybe they're waiting until then to see how things play out. To see what kind of offers come in for Hunter, even Cousins. And just how much are the Texans asking for Watson? The moon? Less? And can we trust these guys? I'm reminded that neither KAM or KOC have ever done any of this before.
Our roster is obviously part of our appeal to Watson. Might be a bait and switch to lure him here only to say "Psych! Half of those guys are no longer on the team."
For this 45 year fan?KAM/KOC are starting off with me having a feeling of high expectation. An expectation they'll become an elite front office/staff.
Hopefully they'll confirm those expectations over the next 2-3 seasons.
I have the same expectation, but sometimes I have to remind myself that they're rookies. Hoping that getting fleeced is not part of their learning curve.
@"MaroonBells" said:@"purplefaithful" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"purplefaithful" said: I would not be surprised at all if this is what happens. It never ceases to amaze me how many ways there are to shift, move and manipulate cap hits. That PFTW guy keeps saying the "cap is a myth." I really kind of is.So with this option open to the Vikings, it makes you wonder what they're up to. Knowing this is something they can do last minute, maybe they're waiting until then to see how things play out. To see what kind of offers come in for Hunter, even Cousins. And just how much are the Texans asking for Watson? The moon? Less? And can we trust these guys? I'm reminded that neither KAM or KOC have ever done any of this before.
Our roster is obviously part of our appeal to Watson. Might be a bait and switch to lure him here only to say "Psych! Half of those guys are no longer on the team."
For this 45 year fan?KAM/KOC are starting off with me having a feeling of high expectation. An expectation they'll become an elite front office/staff.
Hopefully they'll confirm those expectations over the next 2-3 seasons.
I have the same expectation, but sometimes I have to remind myself that they're rookies. Hoping that getting fleeced is not part of their learning curve.
And them being rookies makes me very thankful that we have Brez…
I think they want to avoid this as it is merely passing the pain to next year. Imagine you do as they suggest, have 20m hit the cap this year and 25m hit the cap next year. Next year, you have 25m allocated to QB next year and no Cousins. Then you sign Cousins to a 35m contract 2023 and now you have $60m allocate to Cousins. Now, it would make sense if you planned on drafting a rookie in the 1sr round.......
The gaslighting that has been going on the last few years is that Zim was a defensive guru, yet in reality A) the last two years, our D has been a bottom feeder, adn B) three out of the last four years years were actually Cousin's best statistical years, save for 2016 at the Redskins. In Zim's "run first" offense. Imagine if you will, a world in which the Vikings D would actually get more 3 and outs, could actually stop anybody, and put the Offense back on the field more. I'm on the fence about Cousins, but looking at the facts and the context of what he's been allowed to do by his coaches Offensive Coordinator(s), again, in the entire Offense, Defense and Special Teams...there are worse options. The grass ain't always greener.
@"VikingOracle" said: I think they want to avoid this as it is merely passing the pain to next year. Imagine you do as they suggest, have 20m hit the cap this year and 25m hit the cap next year. Next year, you have 25m allocated to QB next year and no Cousins. Then you sign Cousins to a 35m contract 2023 and now you have $60m allocate to Cousins. Now, it would make sense if you planned on drafting a rookie in the 1sr round.......If they resigned him they wouldn’t have that cap hit so it wouldn’t be $60 million. Although not ideal, this is an option that has some appeal. We know they’ve made an extension offer. Ideally they’d like to sign him longer term to a more cap friendly deal. If he isn’t willing, this is probably the best option to still be able to improve and retool the defense. It gets us to a much better QB draft next year and gives more development time for Mond. Essentially, Cousins could serve the role of “bridge” QB. As said in the article, it would also give the chance to see how the new system and Cousins mesh without having to commit long term. The cap is extremely flexible and we are fortunate to have an excellent cap guy.
If they move money onto next year's cap I think it'll be about $15M. But they will end up adding the maximum of 4 void years to spread that out. Of course if he isn't on the 2023 roster is accelerates. But it allows for them to still do a reasonable extension.
@"Geoff Nichols" said: If they move money onto next year's cap I think it'll be about $15M. But they will end up adding the maximum of 4 void years to spread that out. Of course if he isn't on the 2023 roster is accelerates. But it allows for them to still do a reasonable extension.
Geoff....Is there any interest/appetite from the Vikings on the Watson sweepstakes???
@"purplefaithful" said:@"Geoff Nichols" said: If they move money onto next year's cap I think it'll be about $15M. But they will end up adding the maximum of 4 void years to spread that out. Of course if he isn't on the 2023 roster is accelerates. But it allows for them to still do a reasonable extension.
Geoff....Is there any interest/appetite from the Vikings on the Watson sweepstakes???
Yes & no kind of at the same time. Everyone knows he's better than Kirk so its worth seeing what the cost is. I really don't think trading 3 firsts + is prohibitive for a top 5 QB under the age of 30. Its just more complicated for the Vikings than other teams since you'd need to move Kirk at the same time, which isn't a shoe-in.That long for, there is interest but it is harder for MN to pull that trigger than say a team like NO, TB, or CAR.
@"Geoff Nichols" said:@"purplefaithful" said:@"Geoff Nichols" said: If they move money onto next year's cap I think it'll be about $15M. But they will end up adding the maximum of 4 void years to spread that out. Of course if he isn't on the 2023 roster is accelerates. But it allows for them to still do a reasonable extension.
Geoff....Is there any interest/appetite from the Vikings on the Watson sweepstakes???
Yes & no kind of at the same time. Everyone knows he's better than Kirk so its worth seeing what the cost is. I really don't think trading 3 firsts + is prohibitive for a top 5 QB under the age of 30. Its just more complicated for the Vikings than other teams since you'd need to move Kirk at the same time, which isn't a shoe-in.That long for, there is interest but it is harder for MN to pull that trigger than say a team like NO, TB, or CAR.
Yah - much harder for the Vikings no doubt...I would be awfully tempted by TB if I was Watson.
Broncos gave up this for a 33 year old R. Wilson:
Seattle will send Wilson and a fourth-round pick to the Broncos in exchange for quarterback Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant, defensive lineman Shelby Harris, two first-round picks, two second-round picks and a fifth-round pick.
Watson is only 26 (27 in Sept): I think a team is going to have to give more than the above given for Wilson.
I'm sure Kwesi is doing his homework at least. If we still had Spelly, I really doubt he would even entertain the thought. He tied his wagon to Kirk.
@"JustinTime18™" said: The cap is only difficult if you've never played Tetris.Da… ;)
@"Havoc1649" said:In the scenario presented you would have a 60 million hit, the void year money doesn't go away, it still hits the cap next year in addition to what ever gets added on for next year, which in this scenario was 35 million which really would be likely on a 1 year deal. Of course they wouldn't do that, they would just do any new deal with new void years to spread that 35 over 2 years so part of that hit would be on the 24 cap....and the can goes tumbling down the road.@"VikingOracle" said: I think they want to avoid this as it is merely passing the pain to next year. Imagine you do as they suggest, have 20m hit the cap this year and 25m hit the cap next year. Next year, you have 25m allocated to QB next year and no Cousins. Then you sign Cousins to a 35m contract 2023 and now you have $60m allocate to Cousins. Now, it would make sense if you planned on drafting a rookie in the 1sr round....... If they resigned him they wouldn’t have that cap hit so it wouldn’t be $60 million. Although not ideal, this is an option that has some appeal. We know they’ve made an extension offer. Ideally they’d like to sign him longer term to a more cap friendly deal. If he isn’t willing, this is probably the best option to still be able to improve and retool the defense. It gets us to a much better QB draft next year and gives more development time for Mond. Essentially, Cousins could serve the role of “bridge” QB. As said in the article, it would also give the chance to see how the new system and Cousins mesh without having to commit long term. The cap is extremely flexible and we are fortunate to have an excellent cap guy.
@"minny65" said: Broncos gave up this for a 33 year old R. Wilson:Seattle will send Wilson and a fourth-round pick to the Broncos in exchange for quarterback Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant, defensive lineman Shelby Harris, two first-round picks, two second-round picks and a fifth-round pick.
Watson is only 26 (27 in Sept): I think a team is going to have to give more than the above given for Wilson.
I'm sure Kwesi is doing his homework at least. If we still had Spelly, I really doubt he would even entertain the thought. He tied his wagon to Kirk.
Actually, I think Spielman would be all over Watson. It wasn't Cousins he tied his wagon to as much as the idea that you need a veteran QB. Or at the very least, you're much better off going that route than sitting at the craps table.
@"MaroonBells" said:@"minny65" said: Broncos gave up this for a 33 year old R. Wilson:Seattle will send Wilson and a fourth-round pick to the Broncos in exchange for quarterback Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant, defensive lineman Shelby Harris, two first-round picks, two second-round picks and a fifth-round pick.
Watson is only 26 (27 in Sept): I think a team is going to have to give more than the above given for Wilson.
I'm sure Kwesi is doing his homework at least. If we still had Spelly, I really doubt he would even entertain the thought. He tied his wagon to Kirk.
Actually, I think Spielman would be all over Watson. It wasn't Cousins he tied his wagon to as much as the idea that you need a veteran QB. Or at the very least, you're much better off going that route than sitting at the craps table.
I think Spelly would have been all over a Watson type but not under our current situation.
I also think that prevented him from seriously drafting a QB high over the last 2 years because he is/was responsible for the Kirk contract. He still believed that he could surround Kirk and compete and I think he would have stuck to that thought process. That was one of my dilemma's of really liking Spelly (I still think he is a Top GM and will have a position in short order) but sticking with his decision of signing Kirk and then extended him. Again, IMO I think that prevented him from truly being open to all QB options - FA's, draft etc...I posted numerous times pre-draft last year the scenario that played out. I really don't think Spelly was ever going to draft any of those Top QB's or even considered moving up for one of them. The phone call to Carolina with a non-serious offer was for Slater - again IMO.
Looks like we may have differing opinion again:) I know we both supported Spelly but understood the decision for a clean house.
Still need Cousins to agree to adding void years and I do not think that it is in his best interests.
There is a reason they did not allow them to be added into this current deal.
Surely we should expect that Brez would have thought to do so right?
He just did with Barr, Richardson, Hunter, and Tomlinson but those were before the pandemic lowered cap.
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