Is this team in position to cut CJ this off-season? ?

[WOW!!]

I know his Cap hit next year is crazy but can we really afford to cut him with this team dependents on a pass rush?? Unless they find away to bring Hardy back (which most think won't happen) there is no other proven pass rusher on the roster..

The philosophy of DG and Ron makes me think CJ is a untouchable..

[MurkN]

I think Marty Hurney will take some solace in the fact that one of his absurd contracts will ride the course, and CJ will reap the benefits.

[JawnyBlaze]

Half way through the season I would have said it's almost a certainty.  With the way the season ended, and assuming Hardy doesn't come back (not a sure thing, despite what the Ms. Cleos around here would have you believe) I don't think there's any way we can let him go.  Sure Alexander is back and playing decently and Ealy was looking like he was progressing as the season kept going, but do you really want to go into next year with them two starting?  Or even with them and any of this year's draftable DEs even if we got the top one in the draft?  Absolutely not.  God forbid we even have to start Addison or Horton.  I like them well enough as rotational guys, but our defense would be worse than the first 3/4 of this season in those scenarios.

 

edit:  The only way I could see that happening is if we got JPP or some other upper tier pass rusher in FA for a significantly better number than CJ is at.

[Herbert is Sorry]

There are plenty of guys that have proven they can pass rush. Ealy, Alexander, Addison.. Also I could see us drafting another or signing a veteran for cheap. Don't see CJ going anywhere though

[O-Ther]

After QB, DE is the hardest position to get good players at. That's why Gettleman had no butterflies about taking Kony Ealy when he already had Hardy and CJ. And I'll lay good money that if the 2nd ranked DE on his draft board falls to us in the late 1st round, he'll draft that DE and sleep well that night.

[stratopanther]

I say if he shows up in the playoffs then he might be worth it but he is certainly on the cusp. Hopefully he restructures or something. If him and kalil get cut then i would be upset but unsurprised. I believe they both have massive hurneyhits next season.

[davos]

You've gotta consider the 2016 to 2015 difference in savings v. talent.  I think CJ and Kalil's names may get tossed around, but they aren't moving anywhere.   Our dead cap is 20 million freaking dollars less next year.  No need to continue to just banish all Hurney contracted players..some make sense for another year or two.  

 

DeAngelo will need to go but we can carve out enough to not warrant just cutting CJ for really no reason (We're not really that cap strapped anymore).  Makes no sense IMO.  

 

 

[WOW!!]

There are plenty of guys that have proven they can pass rush. Ealy, Alexander, Addison.. Also I could see us drafting another or signing a veteran for cheap. Don't see CJ going anywhere though

They aren't proven enough to be starters or depended on carrying a defense that is based on having a pass rush..

[bigdog10]

I don't think you cut CJ. He is a huge reason for the last four weeks.

Something has to be done about his cap number, but cutting him removes a strength that Dave and Ron have always been big believers in.

[FugginPoo]

If there isn't a chance Hardy will come back, then why didn't they go ahead and cut him a long time ago and save Millions?

[t96]

Keep CJ on a pay cut, or sign JPP and cut CJ.

[t96]

If there isn't a chance Hardy will come back, then why didn't they go ahead and cut him a long time ago and save Millions?

 

I'm curious as to why they didn't cut him as a PR move, but we wouldn't have saved anything. Franchise tag is fully guaranteed. 

[L-TownCat]

No way can we lose both CJ and Hardy and expect to continue with a pass rush.

[MCC]

Restructure and extend CJ a couple years to spread out the cap hit and allow him to retire a panther.