Capology: A Tale of Three More Teams
The Rams, Titans and Bills were all playoff teams in 2021 and all have decisions to make to get under the cap in 2022.
I've been talking about multiple teams who are projected to be above the cap and, a few weeks ago, gave case studies about three different teams.
Now I want to look at three more -- and it turns out these three teams all made it to the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.
These teams aren't in as bad of a cap situation as, say, the Packers and Saints will be. But they will all have to make decisions about what to do to get under the projected 2022 salary cap of $208.2M.
Like those three teams I previously examined -- the Cowboys, Vikings and Giants -- these teams don't have a lot of work to do but will have some adjustments to make to improve their cap situations.
Let's look at these teams.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams reached the NFC title game and their approach in recent seasons has been an aggressive push to get to the Super Bowl. They have traded away multiple draft picks to acquire either top young players or notable veterans, all with the intent of getting the Lombardi Trophy.
The Rams are projected to be $9M over the cap and currently have 48 players under contract. Once they get to 51, they'll be a bit more over the cap.
Because the Rams are certain to see themselves as a Super Bowl contender for the coming seasons, their approach should be in line with such a team, and these are the things they need to prepare to do.
Extend QB Matthew Stafford: The Rams opted not to extend Stafford after they acquired him in a trade with the Lions last year. Though Stafford has been inconsistent, the draft capital the Rams gave up acquiring him means they need to get an extension done this coming offseason. Doing so would lower his $23M cap number.
Restructure IDL Aaron Donald: Arguably the best defensive player in the game, Donald continues to play at a high level that it makes this move a no-brainer. In doing so, they can lower his $26.75M cap number.
Restructure CB Jalen Ramsey: Like Donald, Ramsey continues to play at a high level and, because he'll be 28 years next season, it should be safe to restructure his contract to lower his $23.2M cap number.
Get a decision from LT Andrew Whitworth about his future: Whitworh is still playing well at age 40, but he's missed time because of his injuries. Joseph Noteboom played well in his absence, but he will be an unrestricted free agent. The Rams thus need a decision from Whitworth as to whether or not he wants to play 2022. If so, I'd avoid extending him, but if not, his retirement would free $15.5M in cap space and allow them to keep Noteboom if the Rams wish.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans claimed the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs but were one and done and now have to figure out what's next. They are projected to be $6.6M over the cap.
They do have 54 players under contract and are likely to be atop a weak division in 2022. While the Titans can certainly see themselves as a playoff contender, they have to be careful about leveraging too much of their position in hopes of a Super Bowl trip.
Restructure S Kevin Byard: The Titans' top safety put together a quality season and he'll carry a cap charge of $15.8M. It should be safe to restructure his contract to get additional cap space.
Renegotiate LT Taylor Lewan's base salary: Lewan didn't have a good 2021 season and he'll carry a $14.6M cap charge. Lewan would be wise to talk to the Titans about converting some of his base salary into incentives for the chance to return in 2022. Failing that, the Titans may very well cut him.
Cut OG Rodger Saffold: Saffold didn't play well this past season and given his age, there is far less reason to keep him than Lewan. Cutting Saffold frees $10.5M in cap space.
Possibly renegotiate RB Derrick Henry's base salary, but don't restructure: Though Henry will count for a $15M cap charge in 2022, the Titans don't want to kick any of that charge down the road. If Henry is willing to renegotiate his $12M base salary and convert some of it into incentives, that's fine. However, converting base salary into a signing bonus is out of the question.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills were built to be a Super Bowl contender in 2021 and, even though they fell short in the divisional round, their status as a Super Bowl contender will not change in 2022.
They will have some work to do with the cap, given that they are projected to be $1.05M over the cap. The Bills do have 52 players under contract, so they know exactly what their position will be going into 2022.
The Bills will have some work to do so they can add low-cost free agents and sign their draft picks. Here are suggestions for how to do that.
Restructure LT Dion Dawkins: Dawkins would be the safest option for a restructure to lower his cap number. His 2022 cap charge is $12.7M but converting base salary into a signing bonus would help lower that.
Extend C Mitch Morse: Morse will have an $11.25M cap charge for 2022, but he's remained a steady performer. I would be OK with a short-term extension to lower his cap charge.
Cut IDL Star Lotulelei: The defensive tackle carries a $9.2M cap charge, which is too high given his play this past season. Cutting him will free $4M in cap space if done immediately, but if done post-June 1, the Bills would free $6.6M. I'd do it as a straight cut, but the Bills have the post-June 1 option if they want it.
Extend WR Stefon Diggs: Among players with two years left on their current deals, Diggs may make the most sense to extend. He'll be 29 years old in 2022 but he is clearly their best receiver and still playing at a high level. An extension would lower his $17.9M cap charge for 2022.