Cap should be tight for Chiefs again in '15

[Stryker]

For those wondering why the Kansas City Chiefs weren't more aggressive in free agency this year, one reason is that philosophically, the Chiefs would prefer to build their roster through the draft. Another is that they won't have a ton of salary cap room in 2015 to handle big contracts given out now.

The Chiefs have about $125.5 million of salary cap commitments for their 39 players under contract for 2015. The salary limit this year is about $133 million per team and could increase to more than $140 million next year.

But remember a few things. First, their 2015 salary load includes just 39 players. They'll need to add a few more in order to field a team. Second, quarterback Alex Smith and linebacker Justin Houston are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents in 2015 and the Chiefs will need significant salary cap room in order to sign them. Last, this 2015 total doesn't include so-called dead money for players they release this year who won't be with them next year.

So this adds up to a salary cap situation that should be tight again in 2015.

Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe will have another hefty cap number in 2015 at $14 million. If the Chiefs released Bowe before next season, he would still cost them $10.5 million against their cap, so don't look for the Chiefs to cut Bowe next year merely to reap the cost savings.

The Chiefs could realize a cap savings of $9 million next year if they release linebacker Tamba Hali, whose cap number in 2015 is almost $12 million. They would save $7 million against their 2015 cap by releasing cornerback Brandon Flowers. He has a 2015 cap number of $11.5 million.

Other possible places to cut next year include at backup quarterback. If the Chiefs believe Tyler Bray is ready next year to be the top backup, they could save $3.8 million against their 2015 cap by releasing Chase Daniel. The 2015 release of wide receiver Donnie Avery would immediately shave $3.55 million from Kansas City's salary cap.

http://espn.go.com/blog/kansas-city-...kc-again-in-15

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

The salary cap is smoke and mirrors. We haven't even begun to start restructuring deals to make it all work. Creative accounting makes almost anything possible.

Wouldn't the time to use creative accounting to create cap room have been during the start of free agency... considering this is a team that clearly needs more pieces to compete and be a legitimate playoff team that has a shot of winning something?

The Chiefs went into 2013 in win-now mode. They did win, but it's pretty clear there are some glaring holes to fill/problems to fix if they want to win in 2014. It's unlikely they can do that with all first-year players from the 2014 draft, especially considering they don't have a second-round pick.

[Halfcan]

Why all the hate for Hali? He was very underpaid most of his career-now he has a big number and he is over the hill? Hope he retires a Chiefs-would hate to see him pull a Neil Smith.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Having 125.5 million already committed, with a cap that MIGHT bump to around $140 million, and starting QB and best defensive player NOT under salary is not a "good cap situation."

At least not for the Chiefs.

It's not that the Chiefs can't manage their cap. It's that the Chiefs are about the only team in the NFL that is using the cap as an excuse to not add talent just one year after making several "win now" moves.

Hali and flowers are 22 mill that will be restructured. Houston, berry, and Smith if signed this year can have very cap friendly deals in 2015 if we want to. Fasano, devito, Avery, Daniel, and Sean Smith cost nothing to cut and can easily save us up to 20 mil. And the cap should probably rise to 155m next year so 140m is still under.

That is our final cap. Unlike other teams, we won't have too many big free agents we are desperate to re-sign. All available cap can be devoted to free agents.

[Hammock Parties]

Good thing we got Alex Smith.

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by Halfcan

Why all the hate for Hali? He was very underpaid most of his career-now he has a big number and he is over the hill? Hope he retires a Chiefs-would hate to see him pull a Neil Smith.

There's no hate, it's just the fact he's not worth the money he's due for a rebuilding team.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by ChiefsandO'sfan

Cutting Hali next year will pay for Houston new deal.

And his replacement (at his level of skill and production) will come from where, again?

At best, you're MAYBE looking at a 3rd or 4th round pick in this draft, and potentially a lower-tier FA who can be signed cheaply.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

I bet i know more about the cap than you do and you're full of shit.

Yeah, because you've contributed so much to cap discussions other than 'I don't like it.' how about instead of being a contrarian dick bag, tell me where I am wrong.

[OnTheWarpath15]

I love how the media says the cap might get to $140M next year, but Zilla is convinced (read: has to say this to make his argument) that it is going to magically rise to $155M+.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Halfcan

Why all the hate for Hali? He was very underpaid most of his career-now he has a big number and he is over the hill? Hope he retires a Chiefs-would hate to see him pull a Neil Smith.

We don't have to cut him. Next year, his deal can and should be restructured as long as it doesn't force us to overpay him in his twilight years. His base salary will basically be converted into a signing bonus which means rather than pay ten mill up front, you spread it over a few years.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

I love how the media says the cap might get to $140M next year, but Zilla is convinced (read: has to say this to make his argument) that it is going to magically rise to $155M+.

We will have a ton of cap space whether it's 140 or 155. The 155m was a number I thought I heard. If I'm wrong on that, I'm wrong. It wasn't to fit my argument.

[GloryDayz]

Not a bit of this surprises me. Not a bit of it...

We are the Chiefs....

[OldSchool]

Originally Posted by Halfcan

Why all the hate for Hali? He was very underpaid most of his career-now he has a big number and he is over the hill? Hope he retires a Chiefs-would hate to see him pull a Neil Smith.

It's not hate, it's business. Only way we hold on to him is if he takes a paycut or accepts a Suggs-type extension that's something like 4-5 years and 5 mil per with the only guarantees being in the first couple of years.

[DaWolf]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

My friends in other NFL cities (Cleveland, Denver, Miami and Philadelphia, not to mention St. Louis.) think it's cute how the Chiefs are always complaining about the salary cap.

Only in KC is it the enormous, insurmountable issue that our leadership makes it out to be.

It's a joke.

I'm not sure who at the Chiefs is complaining about the cap. Dorsey has gone on record saying he feels comfortable with where we are cap wise. It's just the fans who bitch about it.

Two years ago, we were bitching that we had too much cap room and not using it all...

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

There's no hate, it's just the fact he's not worth the money he's due for a rebuilding team.

We did make the playoffs last year. Not sure we can call it a rebuilding year. More like trimming the fat of the team kinda year.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

The salary cap is smoke and mirrors. We haven't even begun to start restructuring deals to make it all work. Creative accounting makes almost anything possible.

Creative accounting means mortgaging the future to free up money now. Next year, if we sit tight, we don't need creative accounting. We have contracts that are perfect for restructuring.