Salary Cap Question

[AZCB34]

What is the exact benefit of waiting until the season starts to sign a guy salary cap-wise?

Yesterday afternoon, Jurecki did his daily gig on the afternoon show and mentioned the Cards would likely wait until after the last cutdown or even after week 1 to make any signings. I fail to see how offering cut veterans a one year deal with a tiny signing bonus can possibly hurt this team.

Not trying to bash but I am confused what possible logic there is.

 

[Capital Card]

Originally posted by AZCB34
What is the exact benefit of waiting until the season starts to sign a guy salary cap-wise?

Yesterday afternoon, Jurecki did his daily gig on the afternoon show and mentioned the Cards would likely wait until after the last cutdown or even after week 1 to make any signings. I fail to see how offering cut veterans a one year deal with a tiny signing bonus can possibly hurt this team.

Not trying to bash but I am confused what possible logic there is.

If I recall correctly, players who sign after week 1, don't have their salary guaranteed. You can cut them later in the season and not have to pay them the rest of the way.

 

[TJAM]

There are no guaranteed salaries...............only the signing bonus.

Maybe they figure the best players that are left will be cut last.........but seems like you would get asigning as soon as possible if there was a position player you really needed .

 

[AZCB34]

Originally posted by TJAM
There are no guaranteed salaries...............only the signing bonus.

Maybe they figure the best players that are left will be cut last.........but seems like you would get asigning as soon as possible if there was a position player you really needed .

But there is some benefit to signing a guy after the season actually starts...like if you cut him he doesn't count at all towards the cap or something like that.

 

[AntSports Steve]

If a vested Veterna (4 years in the NFL or more) is on a teams starting roster at the beginning of the season, YES, his salary for that current year IS guarenteed.

But, If you sign a vested vet after the 1st game, then, if they don't work out, you can cut them and only pay them for the weeks they were on the roster.

So, waiting until after week 1 could save you money if the player doesn't pan out. The Cards could be afraid that a Vet who is only in Arizona for the paycheck, may coast because he knows he will get him money reguardless.

Maybe the Cards believe too many of the players will just use them. Signing them later might keep them working hard.

Or, maybe the Cards are just cheap.

 

[AzKarl]

Originally posted by AZCB34
But there is some benefit to signing a guy after the season actually starts...like if you cut him he doesn't count at all towards the cap or something like that.

I think the way it works is that if the Cardinals sign someone to a 2 year or more deal with a signing bonus, if the guy is subsequently cut the cap impact can be accelerated into this years cap and does not impact future caps. Example would be Cards sign a veteran cornerback to a 2 year 4 million dollar contract with a 2 million signing bonus. If this guy was cut the cap impact is accelerated to this year rather than having a portion or 1 million hit next year. At least something like that

 

[Alan]

Steve has it right.

 

[Goldfield]

Yup, Steves got it.