The Buffalo Bills are diving into the offseason with a familiar puzzle to solve: how to create enough salary cap space to keep their championship hopes alive. While the spotlight often falls on trades and cuts, contract restructures are the unsung heroes in managing cap space. For the Bills, several veteran contracts are primed for such adjustments, offering a path to financial flexibility without significant roster upheaval.
Let’s break down how this works. A salary cap restructure involves converting part of a player’s base salary into a signing bonus.
This bonus is then spread across the remaining years of the contract, up to a maximum of five seasons, according to NFL rules. This maneuver reduces the player's immediate cap hit, but the money isn't vanishing; it’s merely deferred to future seasons.
Teams often add void years to stretch this proration, which can increase future dead cap once the contract expires.
For Buffalo, this strategy could shift them from being $9M-$12 million over the cap to potentially $40-$60 million under. Here’s a look at the key players whose contracts are ripe for restructuring:
Josh Allen: At the forefront is quarterback Josh Allen. Adjusting his contract could free up about $12.56 million this season. His deal was crafted with flexibility in mind, making this move not just possible but expected.
Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown: On the offensive line, Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown present significant opportunities. Dawkins could clear approximately $11.37 million, while Brown offers a potential $10.6 million in relief.
Skill Positions: Among the skill players, Dawson Knox and Josh Palmer are notable. Knox could free up $6.9 million. Palmer’s restructure, though less likely, could add $6.5 million to the pot if the Bills decide to pull that lever.
Defensive Moves: On defense, Ed Oliver stands out as a candidate to generate $8.88 million in cap space, reinforcing the team’s long-term investment in their defensive front.
Secondary Considerations: In the secondary, Taron Johnson could clear $5.56 million, maintaining a strong presence at nickel corner. However, with new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard at the helm, Johnson’s future could hinge on the team’s evolving defensive philosophy.
These potential restructures offer the Bills a significant opportunity to create breathing room under the cap. While this approach does impact future flexibility, for a team in a win-now mode, it might be a necessary tradeoff.
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