2023 Salary Cap set

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(01-31-2023, 07:01 AM)CarolinaBengalFanGuy Wrote: What are the chances the Bengals organization made a lot more money these past 2 years with the success we have had through extra merchandise sales?

It is possible, but keep in mind that on top of that range for those 4, you also have other FAs, have other holes that need filled, and a decent chunk of your first 3 picks are guaranteed. We also have Hendrickson, Reader, and Awuzie all heading into the final year of their contracts, too.

I just think about the fact that we've seen the Bengals FO mention multiple times they were preparing/prepared for Burrow's extension and they were confident in being able to offer up a Burrow extension... but radio silence on any other $100m+ commitments.

(01-31-2023, 07:35 AM)michaelsean Wrote: Why would Tee be worth more than the franchise tag?  Isn’t that an average of the top five?

Two big reasons.

1. When they talk about franchise tag numbers, they're almost always talking about the non-exclusive tag, which is averaged top-5 cap hits over the previous 5 years. 5 years really brings it down. Exclusive tags are top-5 cap hits of the current year, after FA happens, which is a big difference. For QBs this year it'll be at least a $13m difference.

2. They're using cap hits rather than average salary. Cap hits almost always go up as the contract gets towards it's end. So a guy with a 5yr/$100m might average $20m/yr, but his cap hits could theoretically be distributed like... $10m/$15m/$20m/$25m/$30m. So while he might be a highly paid WR at $20m/yr, he might only be at the $10m or $15m cap hit stage of his contract. 

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The 4yr/$100m estimation comes from looking at the best player comparisons available. AJ Brown signed a $25m/yr deal, DK Metcalf signed a $24m/yr deal. This will be 1 year later, and something that must be pointed out: Tee Higgins has the same agent as Jessie Bates (and Deshaun Watson). He's not going to undervalue himself.

Honestly I don't fully expect Higgins to be on the team in 2023. If they trade him, they can have a 1st round pick, 3rd round pick, and then can spend that $25m on signing like 3 good players. Figured in another thread that with that $25m, you can theoretically get Ethan Pocic at C (and move Karras back to LG), Dalton Schultz at TE, and a 1-2 year deal for Marvin Jones at WR and you're only looking at spending like $4m/yr more than just Tee Higgins... and you still get an extra 1st and 3rd round pick to add to your team with, too.

The Falcons, Titans, Texans (at 12), Patriots, Packers, and Giants all have a need. Giants would probably have to add more because of where their 1st round pick is. Colts would also make sense, but they pick too early and they're probably going QB.