Cap Tracker

[WeezyBengal]

(03-24-2025, 12:11 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: IDK where you are getting that from. This is literally copied from spitrac: 

2025 Draft Pool
Projected cap hits for upcoming draft picks. These placeholder figures are NOT being factored into any total salary cap allocations.

Why do you think the draft pool cost is factored in?

Drafted players will eventually take the place of guys that are on the current team. They are REPLACING salaries, not adding to them. You can only have a certain amount of guys on a roster. 

I always crack up when Hobson spews things about needing money for the "draft pool". No, you don't. Those salaries are basically already being accounted for in the current cap. 

[*ochocincos*]

With the Chase and Higgins extensions, Bengals now sit at $20.5 mill cap space, according to Spotrac.
However, that does not factor in the Lucas Patrick 1-year deal of $2.1 mill, which should bring the cap down to around $18.4 mill.

Note that Spotrac has already projected the Bengals' draft picks to allocate ~$5.3 mill toward the Top-51 cap hit, but it is NOT being factored into any total salary cap allocations.

If that's factored in, Bengals still would have about $13 mill left to work with.

There SHOULD be enough there for them to sign one more FA (another Guard?) and still have $5-10 mill or more reserved for extensions (of Hendrickson?) and injury later in the year.

Thoughts?
Have the Bengals managed their cap well, or could/should they have done more in FA?

(Personally, I think it fits into what the Bengals like to do around the cap, but I think they could have done more and structured the extensions of Chase and Higgins differently to have allowed for a bigger impact at G/DT)

[*Synric*]

If feels like the Bengals think their big defensive offseason investment was the Staff. They only added a rotation nose tackle (they absolutely needed), a backup linebacker, and re-signed their own draft picks with history of injuries & under performing. They are really betting on their new coaches to develop their former picks and likely upcoming picks especially in the trenches on both sides.


I would have liked to have seen the Bengals maximize the Chase and Tee contracts better so they could have fit a 1 year deal in for preforming veterans looking for a ring like Khalil Mack.

[Luvnit2]

(03-24-2025, 12:11 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: IDK where you are getting that from. This is literally copied from spitrac: 

2025 Draft Pool
Projected cap hits for upcoming draft picks. These placeholder figures are NOT being factored into any total salary cap allocations.

Why do you think the draft pool cost is factored in?

I stand corrected. I just went and checked, you are correct and I was wrong. TY for clarifying.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

(03-24-2025, 10:38 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: I stand corrected. I just went and checked, you are correct and I was wrong. TY for clarifying.

No worries. It is confusing AF. 

I still have no idea what the "total roster allocations" is. They have that at $5 mil i stead of $20. 

The PS ($3-4) + the draft picks ($8-$9 mil) + the last two spots $2 mil) was a reasonable guess. But that is not how the cap hit for the picks comes out, because if you are starting with a top 51, you have to subtract out the already baked in cost of the guys they are displacing/replacing on the roster/cap projections.

But anyway, I just think they are adding up all the contracts (70 or so) in the offseason. I could be wrong, but that is all I can think of.

[Luvnit2]

New cap numbers from Spotrac after Patrick added (all current players accounted for now)

$24,5 million - It went up 4 million (maybe closer to Over the Cap so both are now similar)

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/cap/_/year/2025

Minus Draft Pool offset - 5.3 million
Minus Practice squad - 3.5 million
Minus 5 million injury pool

I estimate they still have over 10 million minimum after all is taken into account

If they needed more, they could restructure Joe Burrow and free uo esily another 10 to 15 million

Bengals have the cap space to add one or 2 players still, question becomes will they.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

(Yesterday, 11:50 AM)Luvnit2 Wrote: New cap numbers from Spotrac after Patrick added (all current players accounted for now)

$24,5 million - It went up 4 million (maybe closer to Over the Cap so both are now similar)

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/cap/_/year/2025

Minus Draft Pool offset - 5.3 million
Minus Prctice squad - 3.5 million
Minus 5 million injury pool

I estimate they still have over 10 million minimum after all is taken into account

If they needed more, they could restructure Joe Burrow and free uo esily another 10 to 15 million

Bengals have the cap space to add one or 2 players still, question becomes will they.

Yep. You will notice spotrac now is aligned with OTC on Higgins and Slaton. I have been doing this for a bit, but when the two are in conflict, OTC ends up being right far more often than spotrac. Which is why I use OTC from jump. 

I think your numbers are basically correct, but how you get there is kinda off. 

The draft picks won't cost $5.3 mil over whatcwe have already. I honestly don't understand why more people don't get this. You cannot just add up the costs of the contracts. You already have 51 on the roster. It is the pick's contract cost minus the cost of the guy they are pushing off. 

Of course, who they push off and how many make the roster are unknown. The cap hit of #17 is $3.1. #49 is $1.5. #81 is $1.1. The only pick that adds significantly is the #1. And that is roughly $2.2 mil. Some guys will create cap space (Brightwell makes $1.1, M  Wilson $1.5, J. Davis over $1.0, Burton $1.3). Call it $2.5, for the picks. $3 mil, max, and it could be less. 

Picks: $2.5 
53 not 51: $2 mil 
PS: $3-$4 mil 
-----------
$7.5-$8.5 off 

That is $16-$17 mil with no cushion. I think that cushion is probably a bit higher. But at least $5-$6 mil. I think more like $8-$10. Moss will be cut once medically cleared, add $3.3. 

Now you are at $20. Trey (+6 mil cap) + a G ($5 mil cap) would leave ys at $9 mil. Which goes up back to $12.5 if you cut Volson. Maybe enough for one more moderate move. 

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

Thanks guys. I would still like to add a Guard and/or a veteran Corner. Looks like we have the dough to do so and even some quality
if Burrow does a restructure. Risner/Scherff and Jaire Alexander/Stephon Gilmore would be great.

[Luvnit2]

(Yesterday, 01:18 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: Yep. You will notice spotrac now is aligned with OTC on Higgins and Slaton. I have been doing this for a bit, but when the two are in conflict, OTC ends up being right far more often than spotrac. Which is why I use OTC from jump. 

I think your numbers are basically correct, but how you get there is kinda off. 

The draft picks won't cost $5.3 mil over whatcwe have already. I honestly don't understand why more people don't get this. You cannot just add up the costs of the contracts. You already have 51 on the roster. It is the pick's contract cost minus the cost of the guy they are pushing off. 

Of course, who they push off and how many make the roster are unknown. The cap hit of #17 is $3.1. #49 is $1.5. #81 is $1.1. The only pick that adds significantly is the #1. And that is roughly $2.2 mil. Some guys will create cap space (Brightwell makes $1.1, M  Wilson $1.5, J. Davis over $1.0, Burton $1.3). Call it $2.5, for the picks. $3 mil, max, and it could be less. 

Picks: $2.5 
53 not 51: $2 mil 
PS: $3-$4 mil 
-----------
$7.5-$8.5 off 

That is $16-$17 mil with no cushion. I think that cushion is probably a bit higher. But at least $5-$6 mil. I think more like $8-$10. Moss will be cut once medically cleared, add $3.3. 

Now you are at $20. Trey (+6 mil cap) + a G ($5 mil cap) would leave ys at $9 mil. Which goes up back to $12.5 if you cut Volson. Maybe enough for one more moderate move. 

It is listed at the bottom of the Spotrac bengal page
They have it at 8.6 million cap hit and 5.3 offset as I listed.

I gave you the spotrac link which you obviously did not reference. They calculated it for me versus your method of attempting to do it by hand.

As for 51 versus 53, yes if no cuts are made, each team spends likely an additional 2 million for the 2 additional players.

So if that is factored in, Bengals still have over 8 million all in, my point is we still have the money to sign 1 or 2 players and stay under the cap, nore high level if we restructured Burrow's deal or converted anyone's base salary to a bonus to puch it further out to get cap relief now as a lot of teams alredy have done in 2025 including Saints, Chiefs, Ravens and Buffalo (a lot is pushed into later years for Bills and Chiefs)

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(Yesterday, 02:31 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: It is listed at the bottom of the Spotrac bengal page
They have it at 8.6 million cap hit and 5.3 as I listed.

I gave you the spotrac link which you obviously did not reference. They calculated it for me versus your method of attempting to do it by hand.

The main problem with the Spotrac method (though there's probably no realistic way to do it better) is that the $8.6m -> $5.3m is assuming ONLY the lowest cap hits available are the ones who gets replaced.

If the rookie is a G and kicks Volson's $3.4m, after the dead cap hit, off the roster (because it's unlikely they keep Ford, Patrick, Volson, AND a rookie G all on the roster) that $5.3m number is suddenly around $3m instead.

[Luvnit2]

(Yesterday, 02:56 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: The main problem with the Spotrac method (though there's probably no realistic way to do it better) is that the $8.6m -> $5.3m is assuming ONLY the lowest cap hits available are the ones who gets replaced.

If the rookie is a G and kicks Volson's $3.4m, after the dead cap hit, off the roster (because it's unlikely they keep Ford, Patrick, Volson, AND a rookie G all on the roster) that $5.3m number is suddenly around $3m instead.

My estimate is on the low end. We currently have 14 players of our top 53 who make 1.1 million or less. The offsets Spotrac uses is placing the higher paid draft pick in place of. the existing players on the 53 man roster, thus why the actual projected cap hits for rookies is 8.6 million, but our cap hit is only 5.3 million (offset).

If we use your example of cutting Volson, we will gain the offset in cap space so Volson 3.4 million - 1 million offset so we gain 2.24 million more in cap space by cutting Volson if no dead cap hit. The drafted rookie guard is already factored in assuming he was a draft pick.

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(Yesterday, 03:20 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: My estimate is on the low end. We currently have 14 players of our top 53 who make 1.1 million or less. The offsets Spotrac uses is placing the higher paid draft pick in place of. the existing players on the 53 man roster, thus why the actual pprojcted cap hits of rookie is 8.6 million, but our cap hit is only 5.3 million (offset).

If we use your example of cutting Volson, we would gain the offset in cap space so Volson 3.4 million - 1 million offset so we gain 2.24 million more in cap space by cutting Volson if no dead cap hit.

And that ends up being exactly what I said, "around $3m".

[Luvnit2]

(Yesterday, 03:23 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: And that ends up being exactly what I said, "around $3m".

Sorry I misread it.

Yes, you are correct. Any player cut who makes more than 1.1 with dead cap included Bengals gain in the offset.I am not understanding why you feel that is an issue with Spotrac. It is a given if you cut a more expensive player the team will gain cap space. That is why they cut them in many cases to gain more cap space.

[Luvnit2]

To put our cap space in prospective we have the 15th highest amount of cap space with very little maneuvering. These other teams also have to account for their draft offset, injury pools and top 53 versus top 51.

[SunsetBengal]

(Yesterday, 03:53 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: To put our cap space in prospective we have the 15th highest amount of cap space with very little maneuvering. These other teams also have to account for their draft offset, injury pools and top 53 versus top 51.

Having some cap space is great, it just seems like the team isn't very interested in using it right now.

[Luvnit2]

(Yesterday, 04:01 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Having some cap space is great, it just seems like the team isn't very interested in using it right now.

It appears not only the bengals but other teams as well. We will see if they are done in a couple of months. 

[007BengalsFan]

(Yesterday, 04:01 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Having some cap space is great, it just seems like the team isn't very interested in using it right now.

They are interested in using it.  They are trying to extend Hendrickson which will take a big chunk out of the remaining available cap.

[SunsetBengal]

(Yesterday, 11:00 PM)007BengalsFan Wrote: They are interested in using it.  They are trying to extend Hendrickson which will take a big chunk out of the remaining available cap.

I'm not sure that is the case. Hendrickson's existing contract is already accounted for, and new deal will likely be structured in a way that actually frees up some extra cash for this season.

[ERIC1]

(03-24-2025, 02:18 PM)Synric Wrote: If feels like the Bengals think their big defensive offseason investment was the Staff. They only added a rotation nose tackle (they absolutely  needed), a backup linebacker, and re-signed their own draft picks with history of injuries & under performing. They are really betting on their new coaches to develop their former picks and likely upcoming picks especially in the trenches on both sides.


I would have liked to have seen the Bengals maximize the Chase and Tee contracts better so they could have fit a 1 year deal in for preforming veterans looking for a ring like Khalil Mack.

team was playing remarkably well the last 6-7 games of the season..defensive rookies and even Murphy were playing lights out..this team teams maybe another guard and DE..and they should be fine..Ironically..even with said offensive line Bengals had no issues scoring...They will be in the playoffs this season..Smart moves were made..It was time for new voices and Lou and Pollack? had to go.

[WeezyBengal]

(Today, 07:41 AM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I'm not sure that is the case. Hendrickson's existing contract is already accounted for, and new deal will likely be structured in a way that actually frees up some extra cash for this season.

I doubt that. Bengals don't like defering money to the back end of contracts. They could have done it with Chase and Higgins and (stupidly) didnt.