Report: 2018 salary cap projects somewhere between $174.2 million and $178.1 million

[BullheadCardFan]

Report: 2018 salary cap projects somewhere between $174.2 million and $178.1 million

NFL teams saw projections for the 2018 salary cap during the league meetings Tuesday.

The NFL projects the cap to fall somewhere between $174.2 million and $178.1 million for next year, via Ian Rapoport of NFL Media. The league will reveal the exact number before free agency begins in the spring.

It will mark the fourth consecutive year the salary cap has increased.

This year’s salary cap is $167 million.

 

[Veer]

Even a few millions higher than expected. That's the reason why you can go just about all-in any given season. Wouldn't surprise me if Keim goes after one or two stud OL FAs.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Even a few millions higher than expected. That's the reason why you can go just about all-in any given season. Wouldn't surprise me if Keim goes after one or two stud OL FAs.

This is where I differ on the way to re-shape the roster. I'd go after Cousins, then draft Denzel Ward, RT Kolton Miller, and C Billy Price. You have a young, promising OL and have, what I think is, the best CB in the draft and a perennial pro bowler to pair opposite PP.

Your way would work also. Sign some OL, go with CP this year, and draft QBOF in round 1. I think your way is more risky because of the chances the QBOF doesn't pan out but it's still a good strategy.

 

[Chopper0080]

Even a few millions higher than expected. That's the reason why you can go just about all-in any given season. Wouldn't surprise me if Keim goes after one or two stud OL FAs.

What FA OL do you view as studs?

 

[don7031]

If the Packers let center Corey Linsley test the free agent market, the Cardinals should ante up.

 

[Solar7]

This is where I differ on the way to re-shape the roster. I'd go after Cousins, then draft Denzel Ward, RT Kolton Miller, and C Billy Price. You have a young, promising OL and have, what I think is, the best CB in the draft and a perennial pro bowler to pair opposite PP.

Your way would work also. Sign some OL, go with CP this year, and draft QBOF in round 1. I think your way is more risky because of the chances the QBOF doesn't pan out but it's still a good strategy.

I'm gonna be so grumpy if we roll out there with Palmer again. It will convince me not to renew. However, I think if we signed Cousins and did what you're suggesting, I'd have to renew.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I'm gonna be so grumpy if we roll out there with Palmer again. It will convince me not to renew. However, I think if we signed Cousins and did what you're suggesting, I'd have to renew.

I'm okay with rolling Palmer out there again ONLY if we draft a QB of the future in the first round. Having Carson be the bandaid/gap filler to the next era is fine with me.

 

[Solar7]

I'm okay with rolling Palmer out there again ONLY if we draft a QB of the future in the first round. Having Carson be the bandaid/gap filler to the next era is fine with me.

I'd honestly rather roll with Gabbert (or replacement level experienced QB) and a rookie, with the possibility of just throwing the rookie into the fire depending on how early we drafted him. Save the $20+ million it's going to take to keep Palmer on the roster and give it to an offensive lineman or CB that can help us in the coming years as the rookie takes over.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I'd honestly rather roll with Gabbert (or replacement level experienced QB) and a rookie, with the possibility of just throwing the rookie into the fire depending on how early we drafted him. Save the $20+ million it's going to take to keep Palmer on the roster and give it to an offensive lineman or CB that can help us in the coming years as the rookie takes over.

I'd be good with that too... but I think this team will delude itself that it can make one more run, this time with all the old guys and habitually injured players staying healthy that they can have their cake and eat it too.

then again, Palmer might just retire. Which would be okay also.

 

[Solar7]

I'd be good with that too... but I think this team will delude itself that it can make one more run, this time with all the old guys and habitually injured players staying healthy that they can have their cake and eat it too.

then again, Palmer might just retire. Which would be okay also.

Yep, that's my total fear. I've loved Arians' time here, but I think it's time for he and Palmer to call it careers. I'm ready for a reload.

 

[daves]

Save the $20+ million it's going to take to keep Palmer on the roster

The Cardinals only save $14M if Palmer is cut or retires.

...dbs

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Yep, that's my total fear. I've loved Arians' time here, but I think it's time for he and Palmer to call it careers. I'm ready for a reload.

If Arians does return, which I hope he does with some staff changes, he either needs to be extended or announce that next year is his last. By extending him, you're taking away the lame duck status that seems to hardly ever be a good thing. See Marvin Lewis in his last contract year in Cincy.

However, ideally, he would announce that next year is his last and the team rallies around him. The players seem to genuinely like playing for him and would have added motivation to send him(and Larry) out on a successful note.

 

[iRobot]

Looking at CP retiring or being cut are silly to me. Fitz doesn't sign that one year extension without some form of commitment from BA and CP. He's looking to have Super Bowl or retirement at this stage in his career.

 

[overseascardfan]

The Cardinals only save $14M if Palmer is cut or retires.

...dbs

With only $6M in dead money so I’d do it to free up $14M.

 

[Cheesebeef]

With only $6M in dead money so I’d do it to free up $14M.

Yup.

 

[Solar7]

The Cardinals only save $14M if Palmer is cut or retires.

...dbs

Thanks for the clarification. Like others have said, I'd still rather cast him off.

Looking at CP retiring or being cut are silly to me. Fitz doesn't sign that one year extension without some form of commitment from BA and CP. He's looking to have Super Bowl or retirement at this stage in his career.

I doubt we're going to have to cut him. If we tell him he's not in our plans for 2018, do you really think he takes another go at it with a different team? I couldn't see it. Heck, Fitz is still non-committal to 2018. I don't get the extension, really.

 

[nashman]

14mil could damn well help our OL! How much do we save by getting rid of Stanton?

 

[Solar7]

14mil could damn well help our OL! How much do we save by getting rid of Stanton?

None. He's an FA next year.

 

[nashman]

None. He's an FA next year.

Ok but I mean by not resigning him, I think his cap hit this year was around 4 mil to hold a clipboard...

 

[GatorAZ]

With only $6M in dead money so I’d do it to free up $14M.

If he's choosing not to play it shouldn't hit our cap. If they cut him it makes sense. IIRC Kurt's last deal didn't hit our cap after he retired.

 

[daves]

If he's choosing not to play it shouldn't hit our cap. If they cut him it makes sense. IIRC Kurt's last deal didn't hit our cap after he retired.

He still has $6M of pro-rated signing bonus that hasn't yet been charged to the cap, but will be charged next year whether he plays or not.

...dave

 

[CardNots]

If he's choosing not to play it shouldn't hit our cap. If they cut him it makes sense. IIRC Kurt's last deal didn't hit our cap after he retired.

keeping Gabbert = wash or slight savings?

 

[football karma]

at some point, there will be an announcement that the salary cap wont go up, or, actually go down

imagine the offseason implications when that happens

 

[oaken1]

keeping Gabbert = wash or slight savings?

Gabbert aint under contract next year is he??...

I would keep him...offer him the $3mil we pay Stanton...for 3 years...with a $1mil bonus... so, $10mil, 3 years, $4mil guaranteed...good backup pay, short term offers him the opportunity to renegotiate if he becomes the starter...$4mil guaranteed for him with limited risk for the team should they feel the need to dump him later

 

[oaken1]

at some point, there will be an announcement that the salary cap wont go up, or, actually go down

imagine the offseason implications when that happens

I am pretty certain the NFL aint gonna like it when the new TV contract comes up for negotiations. Ratings have been steady dropping for a few years and the networks are taking the hits for it.
I for one, would like to see it go down. perhaps the owners will look in the mirror and see how foolish they were to extend that horrid commish