Cam's Contract

[Toker Smurf]

Does Olsen's extension provide any clues to Cam's contract? I'm not a cap expert, even by Huddle standards but I think it might. The fact that we have to reach this spending threshold and the large signing bonus given to Olsen could be point to how Cam's contract will be structured. Supposedly we will have around $60 million in cap space in 2016 (granted due partially to having fewer players under contract). We've heard that Cam doesn't want a contract like Kapernick. If Gettleman is willing to give Cam a huge signing bonus and take a large cap hit in 2016, it may entice Cam to take less overall and keep the team from having to back load the deal, as much. Obviously there is risk, if something were to happen to Cam but not hamstringing the team down the road quite as much would be a big benefit for sustained success.

[ThPantherFan]

Why would Olsen's contract make any difference on Cam?

[KSpan]

None. It is, however, a wisely-structured contract, something new around these parts.

[carpanfan96]

Why would Olsen's contract make any difference on Cam?

It doesn't, but what it shows is that the panthers are going to be giving out large signing bonuses because they have to spend a ton cash the next two seasons to hit nfl minimum.

[Moorgan]

It doesn't, but what it shows is that the panthers are going to be giving out large signing bonuses because they have to spend a ton cash the next two seasons to hit nfl minimum.

Exactly this. Someone posted yesterday about the 89% minimum and it really explained a lot. Basically, we need to spend 89% of the salary cap over 4 years (ending in 2016...going in to 2017) in CASH. Not spend that % of the cap but spend it in cash. Basically bonuses and dead money as I understand it (which is limited of course).

So the 12 mil that we just spent on Greg count all up front towards the 89% even tho the cap hit of it spread out over the length of the contract. So when we sign cam and Luke before 2017 there will be a ton of guaranteed money that will easily put us over the 89%.

So the only question left is all that dead money (cash) for Luke and Cam worth it? Well Luke has never been hurt I don't think and even if he was would anyone say his dead money isn't worth it since everyone wants him to be a panther forever a la Ray Lewis and the Ravens?

And then there's Cam. I recognize but don't agree with some fans that aren't sold on him. But having said that, in my opinion, he is a franchise QB and will get paid a metric shite ton of money to include a large amount of cash (signing bonus, dead money). DG has said as much. I believe he is the most durable and prototypical of "running" QBs and even though our OL has him running for his life, he rarely misses a game. 2 I think. One for broken ribs. One for a fluke car accident. One for that. Seriously?

So the likelihood that he's continually out costing us dead money (like a running back or two) is slim.

So in the end, we don't need to worry about the 89% or the dead money we will be giving Cam and Luke. And Gerg's back laden contract must be thought of in the context of a salary cap that raises by 10 mil every year. And in that context, so must every other contract we ink. I like where we are at and where we're going. This team is set up for sustained excellence...assuming at some point we get a LT.

[ThPantherFan]

It doesn't, but what it shows is that the panthers are going to be giving out large signing bonuses because they have to spend a ton cash the next two seasons to hit nfl minimum.

 

That's an interesting concept.  Must look further into that.  Thanks for the insight.