Bernard released

[*ochocincos*]

(04-07-2021, 12:09 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: Exactly. How I loathe this, let me count the ways:

1) Cap space is NOT an issue. We have a lot. We still have a lot.

2) We refused to splash big money in FA, instead going bargain hunting. Which is OK, given the market. But then, why did Gio need to take a pay cut? I mean, if we were gonna use that $5 mil to up the ante for a premier FA (Thuney, Trent Williams, Golladay, even Zeitler), then OK. But to do neither?

3) He asked for a release AFTER we asked him to take a pay cut. To sign no one. When we already had lots of space. Self-inflicted wound.

4) When protecting Burrow should be our #1 priority, we just lost our best pass protecting back.

5) Our WRs created the least separation in the league last year (I believe). Well, at least we have one of the best 3rd down/receiving backs in the league. Oh, nevermind.

6) I cannot believe we could not get something for him.

7) This is how we treat loyal, productive guys.

8) Bates/Hubbard extensions will not kick in until 2022 (right?), Gio's contract expires after this year. So by my reckoning, waiving him does not add 1 penny to make extending guys mire affordable. (I believe I am correct here, someone set me straight if I am wrong).

Not if they get the extension done this Summer. They can allocate a (good) portion of the remaining cap this year to reduce the amount spent in subsequent years.

For example, if they signed someone to a 3-year, $30 mill extension such that they are signed through 2024, they could spend $6 mill of this year's cap to go toward that this year, resulting in only $24 mill of that $30 mill spent for 2022-2024.

Theoretical breakdown:
2021 - Current salary + $6 mill
2022 - $8 mill
2023 - $8 mill
2024 - $8 mill