Any Capologists Out There That Can Explain CJ's Contract

[Soul Rebel]

Starting in 2015-end of 2016, I see CJ is owed the following:

 

'15:  Base - $9.7M      Cap Hit - $20M  Dead Money - $14M

'16:  Base - $10.75M  Cap Hit - $15M  Dead Money - $ 4M

 

Just trying to understand what all he is owed versus how much we're on the hook for if we cut him after '14.  I was curious if we could cut him and use his money elsewhere, so I guess my questions are:

 

How much are we on the hook for if we want to cut him after this season?

Does it make more sense to keep him here vs. the cost of cutting him?

 

I love CJ and he's been one of my favorite players for quite some time.  I just wonder if the Panthers look to clean house up front and roll with Ealy/FA defensive end, and use the money elsewhere.

[t96]

If we cut him after this year we'd save $6m next year and have $14m dead money next year and we'd save $11m in 2016 with $4m in dead money. I would bet that he takes a pay cut or is cut. 

[Soul Rebel]

ok.  so, the dead money still hits the cap though, right?  So in 2015, we'd be out $8M and save $7M in 2016.

[TalonNC]

so "Dead Money" equals garunteed money?

 

so we owe him 20M? which is to be paid regardless?

[t96]

so "Dead Money" equals garunteed money?

 

so we owe him 20M? which is to be paid regardless?

 

Dead money is money we've already paid him that hasn't affected our salary cap.

[Soul Rebel]

Dead money is money we've already paid him that hasn't affected our salary cap.

 

So then we literally save money in '15 and '16 and the dead money has already been paid to CJ?  If I'm understanding you correct, we save $6M next year, and $11M the following year = $17M/next 2 years, with no cap penalties.  

[Ruff]

Yeah, CJ is gone

[t96]

So then we literally save money in '15 and '16 and the dead money has already been paid to CJ?  If I'm understanding you correct, we save $6M next year, and $11M the following year = $17M/next 2 years, with no cap penalties.  

 

Yes if we cut him after this year, but the dead money counts towards the cap. So CJ would have a $14m cap hit next year even if we got rid of him. Beason is counting $8m towards the cap this year or something like that. Gross, Godfrey and Smitty count too, among others.

[TN05]

Yeah, CJ is gone

Not happening. He's our only good end at this point. He'll restructure.

[bandu]

Trade CJ

[t96]

Not happening. He's our only good end at this point. He'll restructure.

 

Big Frank is better bang for the buck than CJ. And Ealy next year could be as well. He may be here next year but he's 100% gone after next year. Still think it's very likely he's gone after this year. CJ is clearly declining, and is costing an outrageous amount.

[KBRed]

Big Frank is better bang for the buck than CJ. And Ealy next year could be as well. He may be here next year but he's 100% gone after next year. Still think it's very likely he's gone after this year. CJ is clearly declining, and is costing an outrageous amount.

Unfortunately, Frank has been a knuckle dragging mouth breather so far.

[tondi]

I would rather have him play for a 20 million  cap hit than to have  yet another gaping hole on the defense and have a 14 million cap hit.  We probably aren't signing anybody who would be any better for that 6 million.  That means I doubt we cut him but perhaps a restructure or extension could be worked out.  If not, I could definitely see us cutting him after next season as the math makes it much more favorable to cut him at that point.

[AU-panther]

If we cut him after this year we'd save $6m next year and have $14m dead money next year and we'd save $11m in 2016 with $4m in dead money. I would bet that he takes a pay cut or is cut. 

 

The $4m of dead money in 2016 is part of the $14m of dead money in 2015.  If you cut him and absorb the $14m in 2015 there will be no dead money in 2016. 

 

Cap hit if he stays:   2015 - $20m ----- 2016 - $15m

Cap hit if he is cut:   2015 - $14m ----- 2016 -    0 

 

As you see we would save $6m in 2015 and $15m in 2016.

 

If you cut a player after June 1 you can spread the dead money over two years.  Teams are also allowed to designate 2 players as June 1st cuts before June 1.  One mistake I often see on this forum is people split the dead money evenly between the 2 years.  Actually the dead money of the current year hits the books and the remaining dead money accelerates into the following year.  For example his 2015 dead money would be $10m and the following year would be $4m.

 

Cap hit if he stays:                    2015 - $20m ------ 2016 - $15m

Cap hit if cut post June 1st:      2015 - $10m ------ 2016 - $4m

 

In this situation we would save $10m in 2015 and $11m in 2016.