Cap Tracker

[Luvnit2]

Over the cap Spotrac has Bengals at 43.9 million left after Cappus and Rankins cuts and Tee being tagged. It also has Chase's 5th year option of 21,6 million factored in.
This also includes our 6 draft picks salaries.

The good news is we have others that may be cut. A Hubbard cut nets us 9.5 million for example or if he restructures and will play for less. Burrow can also restrructure and give us more cap space.

Let's use this thread to update as our roster evolves in FA.

I am happy Bengals cut Rankins and now Cappa. Cappa was the 64th rated OG in 2024 and was nt much better in 2023. We need that money to replace him.

[Au165]

(03-03-2025, 06:02 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: Over the cap has Bengals at 43.9 million left after Cappus and Rankins cuts and Tee being tagged. It also has Chase's 5th year option of 21,6 million factored in.
This also includes our 6 draft picks salaries.

The good news is we have others that may be cut. A Hubbard cut nets us 9.5 million for example or if he restructures and will play for less. Burrow can also restrructure and give us more cap space.

Let's use this thread to update as our roster evolves in FA.

I am happy Bengals cut Rankins and now Cappa. Cappa was the 64th rated OG in 2024 and was nt much better in 2023. We need that money to replace him.

In both cases of Tee and Jamar, any sort of extension would most likely bring their cap hit for this year down a fair amount so if you get one or both done you are probably looking at another 10-20+ in cap savings.

[Luvnit2]

(03-03-2025, 06:17 PM)Au165 Wrote: In both cases of Tee and Jamar, any sort of extension would most likely bring their cap hit for this year down a fair amount so if you get one or both done you are probably looking at another 10-20+ in cap savings.

Yes, you are correct.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

(03-03-2025, 07:27 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: Yes, you are correct.

For Higgins, yes. For Chase? IDK. I am not a conract wiz, but I lean towards no. His number for this year ($21.7) is well below what an extension will be on APY, and we'll surely want to pro-rate that large signing bonus into this year. Ditto Hendrickson. It does depend on the structure. 

But it won't add a ton this year. Say $10-$15 mil for both. NEXT year is another matter. 

A Burrow restructure can yield $19 mil in space. Hubbard + Moss + Volson another $15. We are pushing $80 mil in space ($78). Take 4 for the PS, and 2 for getting to 53 instead of 51, and you are at $76 mil. 

Take $15 off (wotst case), and we are staring at $60 mil to sign FA. Be it our own (Gesicki, Hill, Hilton, Ossai, T. Brown, Ford, Hudson) or bring help in (Cappa replacement, DT, DE, LB, S, etc). 

And Pratt, Stone, McPherson, and Burton still have jobs. And Tee is baked in. 

[*rfaulk34*]

(03-03-2025, 10:20 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: For Higgins, yes. For Chase? IDK. I am not a conract wiz, but I lean towards no. His number for this year ($21.7) is well below what an extension will be on APY, and we'll surely want to pro-rate that large signing bonus into this year. Ditto Hendrickson. It does depend on the structure. 

But it won't add a ton this year. Say $10-$15 mil for both. NEXT year is another matter. 

A Burrow restructure can yield $19 mil in space. Hubbard + Moss + Volson another $15. We are pushing $80 mil in space ($78). Take 4 for the PS, and 2 for getting to 53 instead of 51, and you are at $76 mil. 

Take $15 off (wotst case), and we are staring at $60 mil to sign FA. Be it our own (Gesicki, Hill, Hilton, Ossai, T. Brown, Ford, Hudson) or bring help in (Cappa replacement, DT, DE, LB, S, etc). 

And Pratt, Stone, McPherson, and Burton still have jobs. And Tee is baked in. 

JJs contract had first and second year cap hits of 8M and 15M (this year). 

[Clark W Griswold]

(03-03-2025, 10:20 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: For Higgins, yes. For Chase? IDK. I am not a conract wiz, but I lean towards no. His number for this year ($21.7) is well below what an extension will be on APY, and we'll surely want to pro-rate that large signing bonus into this year. Ditto Hendrickson. It does depend on the structure. 

But it won't add a ton this year. Say $10-$15 mil for both. NEXT year is another matter. 

A Burrow restructure can yield $19 mil in space. Hubbard + Moss + Volson another $15. We are pushing $80 mil in space ($78). Take 4 for the PS, and 2 for getting to 53 instead of 51, and you are at $76 mil. 

Take $15 off (wotst case), and we are staring at $60 mil to sign FA. Be it our own (Gesicki, Hill, Hilton, Ossai, T. Brown, Ford, Hudson) or bring help in (Cappa replacement, DT, DE, LB, S, etc). 

And Pratt, Stone, McPherson, and Burton still have jobs. And Tee is baked in. 

I believe they will keep MrPherson and Stone (maybe Stone saved himself at the end of the season?). Might as well keep Burton for now as the cost is minimal and if they don’t see major improvement they can let him go (or put him in the PS if he’s eligible)

One way or another I think Pratt will be gone. They may have to cut him because I don’t know if anyone will offer a pick for him at his salary. Hope I’m wrong and they can get some kind of draft pick for him.

Hubbard is the interesting one. They can’t pay him that much for the player he is now but he’s a popular player and a local guy so they will have to make a business decision and have him come back at less $ or let him go.

[Luvnit2]

(03-03-2025, 10:20 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: For Higgins, yes. For Chase? IDK. I am not a conract wiz, but I lean towards no. His number for this year ($21.7) is well below what an extension will be on APY, and we'll surely want to pro-rate that large signing bonus into this year. Ditto Hendrickson. It does depend on the structure. 

But it won't add a ton this year. Say $10-$15 mil for both. NEXT year is another matter. 

A Burrow restructure can yield $19 mil in space. Hubbard + Moss + Volson another $15. We are pushing $80 mil in space ($78). Take 4 for the PS, and 2 for getting to 53 instead of 51, and you are at $76 mil. 

Take $15 off (wotst case), and we are staring at $60 mil to sign FA. Be it our own (Gesicki, Hill, Hilton, Ossai, T. Brown, Ford, Hudson) or bring help in (Cappa replacement, DT, DE, LB, S, etc). 

And Pratt, Stone, McPherson, and Burton still have jobs. And Tee is baked in. 

I may be wrong,but they could easily give Chase a huge bonus and push the cap down the road. If they give him a 40 million bonus, they could wait until 2026 or 2027 to activate the bonus portion applied towards the cap.

If they give Chase a 40 million dollar bonus, they could give him a salary of 10 million for example and the cap is still just 10 million verus 21.6 in 2025. My guess the cash at signing or guaranteed portion is the delay getting it done.

[Luvnit2]

(03-03-2025, 11:16 PM)rfaulk34 Wrote: JJs contract had first and second year cap hits of 8M and 15M (this year). 

Great example. This is exactly what I was talking about with delaying the bonus allocation to the cap until the later years in the contract.

[jj22]

Looks like we can add that 9.5m

[Luvnit2]

(03-05-2025, 03:30 PM)jj22 Wrote: Looks like we can add that 9.5m

We are at 45.5 million after the Hubbard retirement. Hudson was extended and yet to be included as of The 7th of March.

[*ochocincos*]

(03-07-2025, 03:59 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: We are at 45.5 million after the Hubbard retirement. Hudson was extended and yet to be included as of The 7th of March.

Worth noting Spotrac is factoring in $5.3 mill to be allocated toward the draft.
If you factor in the draft picks bumping out higher priced guys based on who ends up making the roster at the start of the season, that $5.3 mill will be much lower or even wiped out.

And Bengals will, like always, reserve at least ~$5 mill for injuries.

With all that said, it still doesn't leave a whole bunch to work with given they need:
- 1 CB (Hilton roster replacement)
- 3-5 DL (Hubbard, Rankins, Hill, Carter roster replacements, possibly Hendrickson)
- 1-2 LBs (ADG, possibly Pratt roster replacements)
- 2-3 OL (Cappa, Brown, Ford roster replacements)
- 1 TE (Gesicki roster replacement)
- 1 SAF (Bell roster replacement)
- 1 RB (Herbert roster replacement)

I'm expecting only maybe 2 signings that will be >$10 mill APY.

[Luvnit2]

(03-07-2025, 05:51 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Worth noting Spotrac is factoring in $5.3 mill to be allocated toward the draft.
If you factor in the draft picks bumping out higher priced guys based on who ends up making the roster at the start of the season, that $5.3 mill will be much lower or even wiped out.

And Bengals will, like always, reserve at least ~$5 mill for injuries.

With all that said, it still doesn't leave a whole bunch to work with given they need:
- 1 CB (Hilton roster replacement)
- 3-5 DL (Hubbard, Rankins, Hill, Carter roster replacements, possibly Hendrickson)
- 1-2 LBs (ADG, possibly Pratt roster replacements)
- 2-3 OL (Cappa, Brown, Ford roster replacements)
- 1 TE (Gesicki roster replacement)
- 1 SAF (Bell roster replacement)
- 1 RB (Herbert roster replacement)

I'm expecting only maybe 2 signings that will be >$10 mill APY.

I don't see Tee playing for 26.2 cap hit in 2025. I say closer to 15 million, so + 11 million. I think Chase cap hit will also be less than 15 million so add 6 million. A burrow restructure should net 20 million. 

So I disagree, Bengals will have over 82 million = 5 million for injuries. I see them being very active in FA. If we trade Trey, we have more draft picks and additional 16 million in cap

Hilton - we have his replacement of the roster (Hill)
If Pratt leaves via trade, we gain almost 6 million more in cap
I see ADG being retained for 2.5 million to 3 million max.
I don't see a need to replace Bell, safetie on the roster
I see Herbert being resigned for 2 million or less and a R drafted as a load class. We can also cut Moss and save 3.3 million in cap space

We need 1 stud OG
Hope Gesicki for cap hit of no more than 7 million in year 1

DE - 1 stud to replace Hubbard, I think we can keep Trey or find a stopgap DE for a lot less than 16 million
DT - One or 2 vets to replace Hill and Rankins

I may be crazy, but I think we have the money to improve the roster prior to the draft and then the draft is BPA and shoring up back up positions.

If we do trade Tee and Trey, we may have 2 first round picks and 2 second round and 3 3rd round picks. We go from draft poor to draft rich very quickly. Of course, then we have to replace Tee and Trey though.

[*ochocincos*]

(03-07-2025, 07:35 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: I don't see Tee playing for 26.2 cap hit in 2025. I say closer to 15 million, so + 11 million. I think Chase cap hit will also be less than 15 million so add 6 million. A burrow restructure should net 20 million. 

So I disagree, Bengals will have over 82 million = 5 million for injuries. I see them being very active in FA. If we trade Trey, we have more draft picks and additional 16 million in cap

Hilton - we have his replacement of the roster (Hill)
If Pratt leaves via trade, we gain almost 6 million more in cap
I see ADG being retained for 2.5 million to 3 million max.
I don't see a need to replace Bell, safetie on the roster
I see Herbert being resigned for 2 million or less and a R drafted as a load class. We can also cut Moss and save 3.3 million in cap space

We need 1 stud OG
Hope Gesicki for cap hit of no more than 7 million in year 1

DE - 1 stud to replace Hubbard, I think we can keep Trey or find a stopgap DE for a lot less than 16 million
DT - One or 2 vets to replace Hill and Rankins

I may be crazy, but I think we have the money to improve the roster prior to the draft and then the draft is BPA and shoring up back up positions.

If we do trade Tee and Trey, we may have 2 first round picks and 2 second round and 3 3rd round picks. We go from draft poor to draft rich very quickly. Of course, then we have to replace Tee and Trey though.

If Tee plays on the tag though, it's a $26.2 mill cap hit.
He has to actually get the new deal.
You actually think he'll get a long-term deal?

You have a lot of conditionals in this statement, but given Bengals' track record, I think maybe only half of those things actually end up happening, if not less.
Maybe I'm just being cynical because of all the negative (arguably same old) things we're seeing with current Bengals player contract situations recently.

[Luvnit2]

(Yesterday, 12:25 AM)ochocincos Wrote: If Tee plays on the tag though, it's a $26.2 mill cap hit.
He has to actually get the new deal.
You actually think he'll get a long-term deal?

You have a lot of conditionals in this statement, but given Bengals' track record, I think maybe only half of those things actually end up happening, if not less.
Maybe I'm just being cynical because of all the negative (arguably same old) things we're seeing with current Bengals player contract situations recently.

I see Bengals trading Tee if they do not work out a long term deal. This is the 3rd attempt with Tee. I think they want to work with him, but if his demands are too high, yes there is a huge market for teams for #1 WR and Tee is the best available. Better than Metcalf in my opinion.

Yes, I do have a lot of ifs, but Joe said he would restructure. Duke said he will Chase highest paid WR, if so his cap hit likey goes down from the 21.6 million in year 1.

You mentioned Pratt as a possible need, if so we gain cap space through a trade or if he is cut. We do have 2 RB's under contract, the new starter and the starter from 2024. This is a great draft for RB's, we can get a goof one in round 5 or 6.

Maybe I am wrong, but it seems to me FO has a plan to fix the guard situation and then blow up the defense. They know if you get Joe more time, he will find open receivers. Improve the interior OL and Joe has more time amd hopefully a better run game as well.

[phil413]

(Yesterday, 01:15 AM)Luvnit2 Wrote: I see Bengals trading Tee if they do not work out a long term deal. This is the 3rd attempt with Tee. I think they want to work wth him, but if his demands are too high, yes there is a hige market for teams for #1 WR and Tee is the best available. Better than Metcalf in my opionion.

Yes, I do have a lot of ifs, but Joe said he would restructure. Duke said he will Chase highest paid WR, if so his cap hit likey goes down from the 21.6 million in year 1.

You mentioned Pratt as a possible need, if so we gain cap space through a trade or if he is cut. We do have 2 RB's under contract, the new starter and the starter from 2024. This is a great draft for RB's, we can get a goof one in round 5 or 6.

Maybe I am wrong, but it seems to me FO has a plan to fix the guard situation and then blow up the defense. They know if you get Joe more time, he will find open receivers. I,prove the interior OL and Joe has more time amd hopefully a better run game as well.

This may be where they're going, especially if Joe's restructure is contingent on keeping his targets with a give take of trusting them to restock the defense.  They should build to win now, but maybe they lock an offensive window in amd gamble on youth and Golden creating the inverse of the SB team's solid vet defensive core and a young offense.  I cringe that the only defensive threat is gone and we're trusting them to grow defensive talent but priority one is keep Joe happy.

[Luvnit2]

It now says we have 52 million with the 6 draft picks, but not Hudson on it yet. Bengals like to keep 5 million for injuries and need 3 million for practice squad so the real number is 44 million - Hudson. on March 8.

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

[Soonerpeace]

Well we’ve seen desperate teams over pay in free agency especially at QB, DE, WR. I’d say it’s not a closed case on Trey leaving. The players love it here but the agents often win the fight. Not all but most are just fixated on the amount and enhancing their reputation. And many haven’t been truthful about Cincy's real offers.

[Luvnit2]

(Yesterday, 01:11 PM)Soonerpeace Wrote: Well we’ve seen desperate teams over pay in free agency especially at QB, DE, WR. I’d say it’s not a closed case on Trey leaving. The players love it here but the agents often win the fight. Not all but most are just fixated on the amount and enhancing their reputation. And many haven’t been truthful about  Cincy's real offers.

I agree on Trey. I think the Bengals asking price may prevent a trade. Trey is a steal for us at 16 million base salary in 2025. If a team wants him, they will have to give team huge compensation.

I am optimistic he stays in 2025 and then if need be we tag him in 2026.