Lenny to be cut
Per @PewterReport Bucs are expected to release Donovan Smith and are exploring moving Wirfs to LT.
Breaking: #Bucs are cutting RB Leonard Fournette, per @TomPelissero
Good moves
I wish these reporters would say if they are designated as 6/1 or not. It's a huge difference in cap savings.
I wish these reporters would say if they are designated as 6/1 or not. It's a huge difference in cap savings.
Well if they stick with the theme of taking it all up the tail pipe this year, then they won't. Using the June 1st option doesn't eliminate the cap hit, only delays it until next year. They didn't try to fiddle around with the Brady contract we don't think, and they probably aren't trying to pull a "Saints" and keep pushing it all into future years. That hasn't worked for them. They are still knee deep in cap problems. I'm thinking Licht doesn't want to still be dealing with this mess in 2024. As a fan (but not a season ticket holder in 2023), I'm on board with that. We'll see.
I wish these reporters would say if they are designated as 6/1 or not. It's a huge difference in cap savings.
Well if they stick with the theme of taking it all up the tail pipe this year, then they won't. Using the June 1st option doesn't eliminate the cap hit, only delays it until next year. They didn't try to fiddle around with the Brady contract we don't think, and they probably aren't trying to pull a "Saints" and keep pushing it all into future years. That hasn't worked for them. They are still knee deep in cap problems. I'm thinking Licht doesn't want to still be dealing with this mess in 2024. As a fan (but not a season ticket holder in 2023), I'm on board with that. We'll see.
Problem is there's only about $25M savings available if they just out release players without the 6/1 designation. So getting under the cap is going to require the hits being pushed forward no matter how you slice it. I thought they could fiddle with contracts with guys like Davis, Godwin and Vea but they're already back loaded. But for the love of god no more void years. It's like paying a credit card off with another credit card.
No doubt they will be biting the bullet and taking the hit this year , start fresh the following year
Bucs could have ~$65 million in dead money counting against 2023 cap. Brady is $35.1m, and four free agents (David, Hicks, Jones, Gholston) will count $17.7m unless they re-sign before their deals void. Add in $5m for Fournette, potentially $6.4m if they cut Smith/Brate/Succop.
It works out to just under 30 percent of the NFL's $224.8 million salary cap taken up by players who wouldn't be playing for the Bucs in 2023. Not the most in league history, but it's among the most. Team borrowed from future cap to make the most of window to win with Brady.
Per auman
No doubt they will be biting the bullet and taking the hit this year , start fresh the following year
I'd like to see the math on that. And there's already $39M of dead money on the books in 2024
Per @PewterReport Bucs are expected to release Donovan Smith and are exploring moving Wirfs to LT.
Couldn't even get a 7th round pick for Smith.
I mean we knew it was coming. They can probably have kicked the can down the road saints style but after seeing the ineptness that was the Bowles led Bucs, yeah….they are soft ranking for 2024 new coach, top draft pick for QB
We are a talented team and will be ready to rock in 2024
Donavan Smith was flagged for hold on his way out.
Releasing Jensen and Gage with 6/1 designations would clear $8.5M in 2023 and $17.7M in 2024. It will be a tough pill for Licht to swallow but he has to do it. The key to fixing the cap is for Licht to admit mistakes. Like trading Devin White. Will he do it or will he will hold on to his failures and cripple the team long term.
Trading Devin White would get the Bucs a draft choice to replace him but will do little to resolve the salary cap problem.
Trading a couple of prized players is the only way to get out of salary cap hell. That would be a very unpopular move, but may be the best way going forward.
