03-05-2021, 05:05 PM
(03-05-2021, 04:58 PM)SErebel11 Wrote: Actually, my belief is for the mid-teir guys that you are going to sign to a 2 year or 3 year contract as structured above a team can get away with it if a huge portion of it is guaranteed money for season 2 and maybe 3 which is what would likely have to happen. Secondly, why would teams want to shell out a larger 1 year deal in a lowered salary cap season? That money goes dollar for dollar on this seasons's cap making it even more difficult to sign other players.
Teams aren't going to guarantee a bunch of the backside of these deals. You tend to prefer to pay guys 30 and up on the frontside to offset potential injuries and escalating cap figures as play declines, which is often the case for free agents (60% bust as is). As for Zeitler, Why? Zeitler will be able to get 8-9 million fully guaranteed for one year then come back next year and take a worse contract than you even proposed and walk away with more guaranteed money in the end. As for why would a team do it? Because some teams have that cap to spend and if the player says they want to go that route you are in a position to deliver.
I'm not denying there is maneuvering that can be done, but I think you are underselling what these agents and players are looking for to an extent. Heavy cap numbers year one of deals is for a reason and it's usually because it helps both players and teams avoid bad issues down the road. You tend to see more back-heavy "friendly" deals in extensions where the two sides have a relationship and they know how each other operates.
