Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

Given the housecleaning the Redskins have undergone in the football operations and head coaching areas, I’m getting started with this thread earlier this year. This looks at the Redskins salary cap status for 2020. This references OverTheCap’s terrific salary cap data. This year the Redskins find themselves with plenty of available cap space which will go a long way towards molding the team to Ron Rivera’s image. This thread is equal parts a summary of where the cap stands today, and a list of the moves the team is likely to make to manage their cap flexibility.

As the team makes moves throughout the offseason I'll try to keep this updated to reflect the actual impact on the cap. Last updated February 20, 2020 at 5:00pm.

[B]Redskins Cap Space Entering 2019: $35.4M[/B]

[U]Moves Made[/U]
Extended P Tress Way $0M (goes into effect 2021)
Released CB Josh Norman $12.4M
Released WR Paul Richardson $2.5M
Released TE Jordan Reed $8.5M
Franchise Tagged G Brandon Scherff ($14.8M)
[U]Two Players Added Back to Top 51 ($1.2M)[/U]

[B]Redskins Cap Space Current Estimate $42.8M[/B]

[U]Moves Expected[/U]
Trade OT Trent Williams $12.5M
[U]One Player Added Back to Top 51 ($0.6M)[/U]

[B]Expected Redskins Cap Space after Moves $54.7M[/B]

[U]Roster Needs:[/U]
Backup QB (2?)
G
WR
TE (2)
CB
LB
S

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

I am assuming those roster needs are based on the glaring and obvious and not just areas where we could upgrade/improve?

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

A note on the Alex Smith situation since it has such a large impact on our salary cap.

Alex Smith is currently under contract for three more years. His $16M salary this year is guaranteed, and we still have yet to recognize $16.2M of his signing bonus on our cap. This means that if we cut him or trade him before June 1 of this year, it will actually hurt our cap and reduce our available cap space by ($10.8M).

If cut him with a post-June 1 designation, or trade him after June 1, then we save no money against the cap this season, our cap will be entirely unchanged. Because with that $16M salary guaranteed, we'd carry another $5.4M of the prorated bonus in 2020, putting his cap number right back at $21.4M in 2020, where it would be if he were still on the roster. But in 2021 he'd come off the cap and we'd save $13.6M.

The same thing would happen in 2021 if we kept him through this season, and then cut him prior to June 1 of 2021. Our cap space in 2021 would go up $13.6M, the same impact as if we let him go after June 1 of this year.

Due to all this, I'm calling it likely that he remains a Redskin through this season and serves as the backup to Dwayne Haskins. He'll likely continue serving as a mentor while he works his way back - and collects a paycheck.

Despite the likelihood that he sticks with us in 2020, we'll still have the available cap space I list in my original post above, and the Redskins will likely plan for 2021 to say goodbye to Alex, and plan their free agency this year to account for the fact that 2021 will have $13.6M more in cap space than it would with Alex on the roster.

In that sense, it would be wise to push some chips into the table in free agency this year. If Haskins continues to progress, the Redskins have two years to take advantage of the rookie contract window (2021 and 2022). In 2023 they'll either need to execute the 5th year option on Haskins or extend him long term.

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

[quote=BaltimoreSkins;1241669]I am assuming those roster needs are based on the glaring and obvious and not just areas where we could upgrade/improve?[/quote]

Right, exactly. I identified the areas where the holes are glaring.

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

Great summary..... no thoughts on Kerrigans status?

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

Re Alex Smith, if his salary is part of the gaurantee then doesn't that leave our cap if he is traded so we would only be hit by the bonus he has received so far.... apologies if I have misunderstood your post, genuine question just trying to understand the mechanics of the salary cap

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

[quote=EdmundDorf;1241673]Great summary..... no thoughts on Kerrigans status?[/quote]

If you release or trade him it would create an additional $11.7M in cap space. I personally wouldn't, so I didn't list it. He's still too valuable a player and even with Chase Young I'd want as much strong depth along the new 4-3 DL as I can get.

But if you want to play armchair GM, getting rid of him would mean $11.7M more in cap space.

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

[quote=EdmundDorf;1241674]Re Alex Smith, if his salary is part of the gaurantee then doesn't that leave our cap if he is traded so we would only be hit by the bonus he has received so far.... apologies if I have misunderstood your post, genuine question just trying to understand the mechanics of the salary cap[/quote]

Yeah if you can get a team to take on $16M in salary for Alex, then yes you're right, that guaranteed portion of the salary would be borne by the new team, not by us.

But for all practical purposes, who would ever pay $16M for one season of Alex Smith at this point, given what he's trying to come back from? Too many questions about his mobility. Teams might take him on with an incentive laden deal structure, but nobody's paying $16M guaranteed. So I see us as stuck with him.

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

Yeah that is a great point about Smith, I am sitting on the fence regarding Kerrigan, if we sign him to a new deal for 2-3 years then we should be able to save a little, no?

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

[quote=EdmundDorf;1241678]Yeah that is a great point about Smith, I am sitting on the fence regarding Kerrigan, if we sign him to a new deal for 2-3 years then we should be able to save a little, no?[/quote]

Yes that seems plausible. There would be a lot of ways to extend him and get the cap number down in 2020.

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

Regarding Smith, i recall Sheehan saying that took out an insurance policy on him and, if its determined his injury is career-ending, the insurance policy would pay out, including a salary cap credit somewhere around $12M.

Its possible Smith really does have every intention to try and play again. Its also possible he and his family have decided that given his age and current contract, for his long-term health, the best thing is for him to never play again. However, in order for the team to collect the insurance policy, he needs to make it look like he tried his hardest, but ultimately was not medically cleared.

I'm not saying this is what is happening now, but throwing it out there as a possibility. So there is a scenario where, in 2020 or 2021, we could get that credit and have an additional 12M or so in cap space.

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

Also, I don't think we can expect the Skins to tag Scherff. He's a very good guard, but he's simply not worth the price of the tag. If Bruce were still here, i think he would tag Scherff out of stubbornness, but he's not. Cooler heads will prevail. I think we'll get a long term extension done with him with a lower cap hit or we'll let him go via free agency.

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

$7 million is too much for Flowers. And trade Kerrigan if you can.

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

Isn’t Ruben Foster due for a contract year? Or is it next year?

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

[quote=BigHairedAristocrat;1241684]Also, I don't think we can expect the Skins to tag Scherff. He's a very good guard, but he's simply not worth the price of the tag. If Bruce were still here, i think he would tag Scherff out of stubbornness, but he's not. Cooler heads will prevail. I think we'll get a long term extension done with him with a lower cap hit or we'll let him go via free agency.[/quote]

You have to bring him back. Probably on a franchise. Some guys you have to overpay.

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

[quote=SFREDSKIN;1241687]Isn’t Ruben Foster due for a contract year? Or is it next year?[/quote]

Next

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

[quote=Irrefutable;1241685]$7 million is too much for Flowers. And trade Kerrigan if you can.[/quote]

I would rather pay $7 million for Flowers than $14 million for Scherff. Change my mind.

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

[quote=BigHairedAristocrat;1241692]I would rather pay $7 million for Flowers than $14 million for Scherff. Change my mind.[/quote]

I agree. Flowers was solid this year and the left side of the line is extremely important since we have a second year QB. We're already unsure about the LT position. Flowers might not be worth $7 million around the league, but he's worth $7 million to us.

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

[quote=skinsfan69;1241688]You have to bring him back. Probably on a franchise. [B]Some guys you have to overpay[/B].[/quote]

I agree. I just don't think Scherff is one of those guys. He is not as elite of a talent as most here seem to think. We have been such a dysfunctional franchise for so long, with so few bright spots, I think we have a tendency to think players who are "really good" are elite. 2019 Brandon Scherff was not elite. His play does not merit franchise tag money or a contract that would (due to the salary cap going up) set the market. He's just not worth it.

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

[quote=BigHairedAristocrat;1241683]Regarding Smith, i recall Sheehan saying that took out an insurance policy on him and, if its determined his injury is career-ending, the insurance policy would pay out, including a salary cap credit somewhere around $12M.

Its possible Smith really does have every intention to try and play again. Its also possible he and his family have decided that given his age and current contract, for his long-term health, the best thing is for him to never play again. However, in order for the team to collect the insurance policy, he needs to make it look like he tried his hardest, but ultimately was not medically cleared.

I'm not saying this is what is happening now, but throwing it out there as a possibility. So there is a scenario where, in 2020 or 2021, we could get that credit and have an additional 12M or so in cap space.[/quote]

Absolutely correct. But from a planning perspective the team has to assume it will carry the entire cap charge until it's determined they can collect on this policy.

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

[quote=BigHairedAristocrat;1241692]I would rather pay $7 million for Flowers than $14 million for Scherff. Change my mind.[/quote]

No way, Flowers is good and needs to show consistency for more than 1 year, Scherff is great who despite not having an elite year made the pro-bowl. I want a great team, not mediocre, sick of those type of teams.

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

You don't have to be "elite" to get paid.

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

[quote=SFREDSKIN;1241703]No way, Flowers is good and needs to show consistency for more than 1 year, Scherff is great who despite not having an elite year made the pro-bowl. I want a great team, not mediocre, sick of those type of teams.[/quote]

I really don’t want to get into this again, but Schreff plays the tougher
Guard position, tougher assignments, asked to do more in the run game and is a top 5 interior run blocking olinemen. If u hide an olineman, you hide them at left guard.

I’ve heard Cooley say flowers been solid but the plan could be to slide Roullier to lg and move Wes Martin to Center. I can’t remember if there had been talk of this, but I’ve heard him say it a couple times.

Schreff isn’t yanda or Martin, but a close noch below.

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

[quote=SFREDSKIN;1241687]Isn’t Ruben Foster due for a contract year? Or is it next year?[/quote]

I think we have to decide this year whether to pick up his 5th year option, as with Johnathan Allen, but we have him on his rookie deal for one more year at least..... as with all of these scenarios its going to be up to Riverboat Ron

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

[quote=Chico23231;1241707]I really don’t want to get into this again, but Schreff plays the tougher
Guard position, tougher assignments, asked to do more in the run game and is a top 5 interior run blocking olinemen. If u hide an olineman, you hide them at left guard.

I’ve heard Cooley say flowers been solid but the plan could be to slide Roullier to lg and move Wes Martin to Center. I can’t remember if there had been talk of this, but I’ve heard him say it a couple times.

Schreff isn’t yanda or Martin, but a close noch below.[/quote]

Piersbacher is a C and solid backup who could be a starter in the future, why switch Martin? Makes no sense. Easiest thing to do is let Flowers go, extend Scherff and draft another G.

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

[quote=Coff;1241694]I agree. [B]Flowers was solid this year [/B]and the left side of the line is extremely important since we have a second year QB. We're already unsure about the LT position. Flowers might not be worth $7 million around the league, but he's worth $7 million to us.[/quote]

Was he solid? or did he just stay healthy and wasnt a 100% complete bust like we were anticipating?

Flowers was just okay to me. On run plays, I didnt see him moving his guy back, sometimes he would do a good guy of turning his guy. On pass plays, he seemed to do a decent job of staying in front of his guy but he wasnt any special. Dont remember him swinging out or doing anything on the move. He was decent at hat on hat situations.

C player imo, average to below average NFL starter which was great for this year but I dont think we can count on him going forward w a significant LTD. If he is a starter next year, I hope he can maintain what he did this year - be average at best.

64 PFF = which is fine, its average.

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

[quote=SFREDSKIN;1241712]Piersbacher is a C and solid backup who could be a starter in the future, why switch Martin? Makes no sense. Easiest thing to do is let Flowers go, extend Scherff and draft another G.[/quote]

Easiest thing to do is let Flowers go, slide Wes Martin to left side and resign Scherff.

Scherff has already made it known [URL="https://redskinswire.usatoday.com/2019/10/23/brandon-scherff-wants-to-stay-in-washington-and-the-redskins-need-to-keep-him/"]he'd like to stay here long term[/URL].

If I'm the Redskins, I resign Scherff and Flowers, and let Wes Martin keep progressing. Why do we gotta create more problems when we already have enough problems to fix?

I know Scherff didn't live up to his normal expectations this year, but we have no idea if he was playing injured or what. All I know is that when he's healthy, he's a quality offensive lineman.

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

[quote=mooby;1241714]Easiest thing to do is let Flowers go, slide Wes Martin to left side and resign Scherff.

Scherff has already made it known [URL="https://redskinswire.usatoday.com/2019/10/23/brandon-scherff-wants-to-stay-in-washington-and-the-redskins-need-to-keep-him/"]he'd like to stay here long term[/URL].

If I'm the Redskins, I resign Scherff and Flowers, and let Wes Martin keep progressing. Why do we gotta create more problems when we already have enough problems to fix?[/quote]

Yes, I like to assume at some point 2 of the 5 starting OL will end up on IR. Resigning Scherff and Flowers, drafting a swing C/G, then let Martin and Flowers fight it out for LG spot. Loser backs up along w draft pick and Christian. This leaves Bergstrom out unless we carry 9 OL.

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

Keep Flowers -he did a good job and will improve. He’s cheap because everyone thinks that he sucks, as all of us did when he came here. He’s done well.

Resign Trent Williams. He’s had a year to get better and is still a very good OT. I know some posters want to “punish” TW because he wanted to dare leave this team. But BA already punished him by not trading him. This is not a personal decision but a football one. He will stabilize the OL for two more years.

Dump or trade Moses - he had a terrible year and got an unbelievable number of penalties. I think Moses helped drag down Scherff. Not sure if anyone will trade for Moses.

Keep Scherff - he had a bad year but he’s been a good player. I think Rivera can get him back his mojo.

Trade Kerrigan - he’s been a great asset to this team but he’s on the far downside of his career. He’s too expensive for his production and as a backup for Chase Young. We’ll get a fourth rounder for Kerrigan.

Hire Austin Hooper or another top TE in FA. This is a critical pickup for Haskins development and for scoring in the red zone.

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

It’ll be interesting to see what happens with Ryan Kerrigan as the Redskins move to a 4-3 base. Montez Sweat just finished his rookie season; they might draft Chase Young at No. 2. Kerrigan has one year left on his contract with a base salary of $11.5... es.pn/36ky68R

[url]https://twitter.com/john_keim/status/1212779531083366402?s=21[/url]

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

I would love a 4-3 DL of:
DT's Payne*, Ioannidis*, Settle
DE's Sweat*, Young*, Kerrigan
DT/DE Allen

That is seven D linemen who start for just about any other team in the NFL. Extend RK at a reasonable rate so that he can be a part of a 3/4 man rotation at DE. He came into the league as a "hand-in-the-dirt" DE who learned the 3-4 OLB position.

Also, I think the flexibility Allen gives us is that he is solid inside or out in the 4-3. Similarly, I don't know who our LBs are but I think RK as an OLB on passing downs is also is solid. He can cover, though not necessarily his strength, or pose a blitz threat.

[On 3 and long, a DL Sweat, Allen, Payne, Young with RK at OLB is a pretty intimidating pass rush for any team].

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

[QUOTE=JoeRedskin;1241727]I would love a 4-3 DL of:

DT's Payne*, Ioannidis*, Settle

DE's Sweat*, Young*, Kerrigan

DT/DE Allen



That is seven D linemen who start for just about any other team in the NFL. Extend RK at a reasonable rate so that he can be a part of a 3/4 man rotation at DE. He came into the league as a "hand-in-the-dirt" DE who learned the 3-4 OLB position.



Also, I think the flexibility Allen gives us is that he is solid inside or out in the 4-3. Similarly, I don't know who our LBs are but I think RK as an OLB on passing downs is also is solid. He can cover, though not necessarily his strength, or pose a blitz threat.



[On 3 and long, a DL Sweat, Allen, Payne, Young with RK at OLB is a pretty intimidating pass rush for any team].[/QUOTE]



Will Ryan Kerrigan take a pay cut to stay on the team and be a backup to Chase Young?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

[quote=Schneed10;1241702]Absolutely correct. But from a planning perspective the team has to assume it will carry the entire cap charge until it's determined they can collect on this policy.[/quote]

Agree. Always appreciate your breakdown on the cap stuff. I just wanted to mention this because we could REALLY have a lot if we dump certain contracts, don't tag Scherff, and get the 12M credit if Smith is forced to retire. i cant remember where, but I saw a breakdown that had us at between 90 and 100M under the cap and none of the moves seemed crazy.

It would be really nice to see us keep 20-30M in cap space to roll over to next year, when we should have a lot of 3rd year players on rookie deals who we could extend.

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

[quote=SFREDSKIN;1241723]It’ll be interesting to see what happens with Ryan Kerrigan as the Redskins move to a 4-3 base. Montez Sweat just finished his rookie season; they might draft Chase Young at No. 2. Kerrigan has one year left on his contract with a base salary of $11.5... es.pn/36ky68R

[url]https://twitter.com/john_keim/status/1212779531083366402?s=21[/url][/quote]

Move on from Kerrigan...Young, Sweat, Allen at DE with Settle, Payne, Matty I DT...that's a strong across the board with 4 down lineman. Allen can both DT/DE

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

[quote=Chico23231;1241734]Move on from Kerrigan...Young, Sweat, Allen at DE with Settle, Payne, Matty I DT...that's a strong across the board with 4 down lineman. Allen can both DT/DE[/quote]

I agree, unless he would be willing to take a significant pay cut as part of a new deal. You can never have too many good pass rushers. He had a down year, so i'm not quite sure what kind of contract he would get on the open market. If we could sign him to an extension with a base salary around $6-8M per year with the potential to earn more with incentives, I would be all for it.

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

[quote=Chico23231;1241734]Move on from Kerrigan...Young, Sweat, Allen at DE with Settle, Payne, Matty I DT...that's a strong across the board with 4 down lineman. Allen can both DT/DE[/quote]

... and Kerrigan can OLB/DE

The guy is solid and can help with transition. Find a cap friendly way to keep him. Seriously, this guy is as solid as they come and the type of vet who can lead by example under RR. My bet he is RR's kind of guy.

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

[url]https://nfltraderumors.co/top-25-2020-nfl-free-agents-list/[/url]

I wouldnt consider anyone over 30 for this list.

LT:

Conklin (Tenn - 26 yrs old) - 78.3 PFF
Humphries (Cards - 26 yrs old) - 64.5 PFF w 13 penalties

G:

Thuney (NE - 27) - 77.4 PFF ... im guessing he gets a somewhat expensive contract
Glasgow (Det - 28) - 74.1 PFF

TE:

Austin Hooper (Atl - 25) - 78.3 PFF
Hunter Henry (LAC - 25) - 73.1 PFF

CB:

Byron Jones (Dal - 27) - 76.1 PFF ... I wouldnt want to break the bank for him. Seems like a CB2 ...

S:

Anthony Harris (Minn - 28) - 96.5 PFF

--------------------

Hooper/Henry - I would love either TE.

Conklin - would be nice as LT given the choices but I dont know enough about him to get into a bidding war. Perhaps ride w Penn for another year.

Harris - I dont know enough about him, seems like he had a big eyar at the right time. we need a roaming coverage FS imo to compliment Collins. is he that? idk. Also HaHa is a FA.

No one really jumps out but Im sure there will be some surprise cuts. You could splash for Amari Cooper if avail.

[B]Lots of impact DE/Edge players available. Is this becoming any easy position to fill?[/B] GB just loaded up with the Smiths in FA and didnt have to spend high draft picks like we do.

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

[quote=JoeRedskin;1241738]... and Kerrigan can OLB/DE

The guy is solid and can help with transition. Find a cap friendly way to keep him. Seriously, this guy is as solid as they come and the type of vet who can lead by example under RR. My bet he is RR's kind of guy.[/quote]

He gonna have to take back up money to make it worth while. Why not take his 10 mil per year and pay a outside LB who can clean up? We substantially missed that this year on run defense. Or maybe an CB who can actually play man coverage? I’ve always been a Kerrigan fan, but he looked terrible this year...

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

[quote=SunnySide;1241744][url]https://nfltraderumors.co/top-25-2020-nfl-free-agents-list/[/url]

I wouldnt consider anyone over 30 for this list.

LT:

Conklin (Tenn - 26 yrs old) - 78.3 PFF
Humphries (Cards - 26 yrs old) - 64.5 PFF w 13 penalties

G:

Thuney (NE - 27) - 77.4 PFF ... im guessing he gets a somewhat expensive contract
Glasgow (Det - 28) - 74.1 PFF

TE:

Austin Hooper (Atl - 25) - 78.3 PFF
Hunter Henry (LAC - 25) - 73.1 PFF

CB:

Byron Jones (Dal - 27) - 76.1 PFF ... I wouldnt want to break the bank for him. Seems like a CB2 ...

S:

Anthony Harris (Minn - 28) - 96.5 PFF

--------------------

Hooper/Henry - I would love either TE.

Conklin - would be nice as LT given the choices but I dont know enough about him to get into a bidding war. Perhaps ride w Penn for another year.

Harris - I dont know enough about him, seems like he had a big eyar at the right time. we need a roaming coverage FS imo to compliment Collins. is he that? idk. Also HaHa is a FA.

No one really jumps out but Im sure there will be some surprise cuts. You could splash for Amari Cooper if avail.

[B]Lots of impact DE/Edge players available. Is this becoming any easy position to fill?[/B] GB just loaded up with the Smiths in FA and didnt have to spend high draft picks like we do.[/quote]

Conklin is a RT, though a potential replacement for Moses if he is no longer deemed good enough. We wont need any more edge rushers , we will have an excess as it is

Re: Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2020
 

[quote=EdmundDorf;1241748]Conklin is a RT, though a potential replacement for Moses if he is no longer deemed good enough. We wont need any more edge rushers , we will have an excess as it is[/quote]

We dont need anymore edge rushers and we area dding another w the no. 2 overall Chase Young.

Most important positions past 20 years:

1. QB
2. Guys who protect QB
3. Guys who pressure QB

But now ... it seems like effective edge rushers are falling from the sky and impact players are readily avail in FA. half the damn list of impact FA are edge/rush guys ... all under 30.

Clowney
Chris Jones
Ngakoue
Armstead
fowler Jr
Shaq Barrett
bud Dupree
Judon
Leaonard Williams
Robert Quinn
van Noy

That is a ton of talented rushers.

Is this a position you dont have to draft heavy on now a days? Are we late to the party? All we do is draft end guys and we end up letting guys like Preston and Trent go bc we have too many already.

Are we dumb for using high draft picks on this position? There are like no OT and Gs worth it but a ton of DE. Before you could always add a solid to good G or C in FA, never an edge. Now its like opposite.