03-05-2021, 01:06 PM
(03-05-2021, 12:45 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Couldn't the Seahawks have also just released BJ Finney? They still had to pay him any guaranteed money they still owed him, so I don't see why he had to be included unless the Bengals wanted him.
Leonard's Leap has already covered this but budgets are largely set before the season. It's not easy to suddenly find room for mid-season acquisitions earning $10m+ (albeit prorated). Finney was a vested veteran on the roster week 1 at which point his base salary for the year becomes guaranteed.
By trading him to the Bengals as part of the Dunlap deal, the Bengals take on responsibility for the remainder of his base salary for the rest of the season. The difference between Dunlap and Finney's base salary is more manageable for Seattle than taking on both Dunlap and Finney's salary for the rest of the season.
For the Bengals it works as they save the difference between Dunlap and Finney's base salary, get rid of a malcontent and get a 7th round pick.
