Winfield had his base salary shifted to a minimum salary and bonus. The move opens up $15.86 million in cap space for Tampa Bay.
The Buccaneers signed Baker Mayfield to an extension in 2024 for three years that's worth up to $110 million, and now, they're converting a lot of that to a bonus to save some money on the salary cap. NFL reporter Aaron Wilson reported Thursday that Mayfield's $30 million base salary was reverted to a roster bonus, guaranteeing that money and shaving down that base salary $2 million. The team also added an extra void year in 2029 — all-in-all, Mayfield's cap hit goes down to $23.875, per Wilson, opening up about $14 million in cap space.
Wondering how this (converting salary to bonus) might influence dead cap?Winfield had his base salary shifted to a minimum salary and bonus. The move opens up $15.86 million in cap space for Tampa Bay.
The Buccaneers signed Baker Mayfield to an extension in 2024 for three years that's worth up to $110 million, and now, they're converting a lot of that to a bonus to save some money on the salary cap. NFL reporter Aaron Wilson reported Thursday that Mayfield's $30 million base salary was reverted to a roster bonus, guaranteeing that money and shaving down that base salary $2 million. The team also added an extra void year in 2029 — all-in-all, Mayfield's cap hit goes down to $23.875, per Wilson, opening up about $14 million in cap space.
Curious myself. I know the void year equates to dead cap but how much is the question.
dont want to end up like the saints!
I wouldn't put us in that category, but a lot of money is put into 2026 right now. Winfield 27 mil. Mayfield 49 mil, Godwin 33 mil Wirfs 36 mil. So that means that any player who is resigned after 2025 Goedeke, McCollum, Reddick for example will have to have their cap impact pushed into 2027 and beyond.Curious myself. I know the void year equates to dead cap but how much is the question.
dont want to end up like the saints!
2025 is a win now year, because there will be a reckoning with the contracts in 2026. The Saints problem was that the money was being spent on veterans who were past their prime and offered no hope of winning. If the Bucs keep restructuring veterans so their money goes into years when they no longer can win ballgames then the Bucs will be in the same situation as the Saints. The Saints have proven the cap is real and you can't just do magic tricks forever. Eventually the bill comes due.
Oddly, and to the point, Bucs just restructured Baker, Evans, AWJ, giving Bucs about $46 mil in cap space. Some of that could be for 2026… but if we’re in a “win now” mode… that’s a lot cap space. Is this making room for Reddick, or could there be another move yet this year?
Evans restructure didn’t free up any cap it just accelerated some of his payout, but I too am hopeful that they’ll make another move this year in addition to locking down Goedeke,Otten, and Evans for the foreseeable future
Yes if you check Spotrac you can see the 2026 figures. honestly $49 mil for a good QB is not out of line but $33 mil for Godwin is a lot. Again, its only a problem if you start paying guys who don't perform. The Saints have $80 mil in dead cap for Derek Carr.Oddly, and to the point, Bucs just restructured Baker, Evans, AWJ, giving Bucs about $46 mil in cap space. Some of that could be for 2026… but if we’re in a “win now” mode… that’s a lot cap space. Is this making room for Reddick, or could there be another move yet this year?
2025 is a win now year, because there will be a reckoning with the contracts in 2026.
You said the same thing this offseason.
And, Licht (just like numerous posters on here), just keep continuing to prove you wrong.
not so sure about evans restructure either, apart from giving him more guaranty I see no real advantage there. but who knows, maybe it will be if/when he gets another contract
rest is the same but with clearing significant cap space. baker earned his spot here so this is all fine, winfield is the only goid safety we have, both moves are no brainers
Bucs can push excess cap savings into 2026 if they want but I think they will try to frontload some extensions this off season post draft.
How do you restructure a contract that is only for one year? He already has $13 mil in void money. That money is for $4.358 mil per year for three years, or if he doesn't resign the $13 mil comes due right away. So it's a similar situation to Godwin's deal. It behooves the Bucs to resign Evans to keep that extra $8.6 mil off the 2026 cap which is already put under stress by the structure of Mayfield and Godwin's deals. So Evans has restructured his deals year after year, but this time it's going to take an extension if you want to reduce his cap hit, and I really think it's best to go year to year with him at this stage in his career.not so sure about evans restructure either
If you use the void money tactic too much it will come back to bite you.
There’s no reason to do all these restructures unless you are planning to bring in another player for this year. OTC says we have $31,607,297 available on the cap now.
And yes, of course this has dead cap implications. Adding void years spreads out the cap impact but also means some of the money lands in the void year, after the expiration of the contract.
Some of the available space is for draftees. The rest? I’m curious what they’re planning. Could they be working on a trade for Trey Hendrickson?
