Holy shit I didn't realize that. And 1.7M over the projected 2024 cap already, which will only go up if they have to restructure contracts in 2023.
Browns running back Kareem Hunt‘s “hold in” appears to be over. Hunt was not participating in team drills during recent Browns practices at training camp, but multiple reporters at Sunday’s session send word that Hunt has been on the field for 11-on-11 work. Hunt was staying off the field because he wants a new contract before playing out the final year of his current deal. Hunt also asked for a trade recently, but was told that the Browns would not consider making such a move. That and the team’s ability to fine him for withholding his services likely impacted the decision to reverse course when it came to team drills on Sunday. Hunt is set to make a base salary of $1.35 million this year with roster bonuses that can push the total value of the deal to $3.4 million. PFT
Well, that sucks! I thought we might finally have a return game....... there's always next year, when money is tight and the line of people lining up for new contracts is long. Sigh
I've already owned up to my own erroneous take on the signing of Deshaun Watson. It's my opinion that the NFL is going to do what they wanted to do all along. I'll be shocked if Goodell's puppet doesn't come down with an indefinite suspension (minimum 1 year) plus a substantial fine. When (not if) that happens, all is not lost.. Watson's contract would be tolled. That means his cap number for 2022 moves to 2023. (It also means he is under contract through 2027, not 2026.) It also means the cap for 2022 goes from $49M UNDER the cap to $59M $50M UNDER the cap. Moving forward, it also means that instead of being $33M OVER the cap for 2023 the Browns would be $22M UNDER the cap. EDIT: I forgot that his signing bonus in 2022 would still affect 2022 cap space. ========================================================================================================================= However, we're still looking at trying to get into the postseason with career backup Jacoby Brissett as the starter. Much like Brian Hoyer, there's a reason Brissett is a career backup. Realistically, there's only one starting caliber QB that is available - Jimmy Garoppolo, and he's on the last year of his contract with the 49ers. .But we don't have an abundance of draft capital at our disposal to use in a trade. But we DO HAVE an abundance of Running Backs - one of which is apparently disgruntled and has asked to be traded. Why not offer Kareem Hunt to the 49ers in a trade for Jimmy Garoppolo?
That’s what I was saying before Lyman. You guys should trade Hunt, might have to throw in something else to sweeten the pot, but San Francisco would definitely want a back like Hunt. He would fit in with Lance nicely.
The 49ers have invested pretty meaningful draft capital over the last two years in the RB position. Hunt was upset just in the past week over needing a new contract. I'm not sure that San Fran is the best fit for that - but it will ultimately depend on what their drafted RB's look like. I have a hard time imagining that trading for a RB who might be a disgruntled rental is the best deal for them. I can see why it makes sense for Browns fans, though.
Fair point. Would it be fair to assume that Hunt would be an upgrade over the 4 RB's currently listed on the 49er's depth chart (Mitchell, Wilson, Davis-Price and Sermon)? It's obvious that Jimmy G is not in the 49ers' plans for 2022. I question whether the niners are willing to roll the dice that a team that might lose their starting QB would be in a position to offer an experienced player that is a greater upgrade at any position. And all they would lose is a player they're planning to jettison anyway and recoup the cap space they would lose in the process.
This is a subject I really don't know a lot about and there isn't a ton of info available. Or I haven't found it. Anything you find out please share. EDIT: Meh, guess I didn't look hard enough. Sporting News explains it... Deshaun Watson contract, explained: Why a suspension won't have much impact on Browns QB's earnings with Cleveland
Deshaun Watson contract, explained: Why a suspension won't have much impact on Browns QB's earnings with Cleveland By rule, NFL contracts toll a year if a player is suspended for more than a year. What does that mean? Essentially, Watson's contract would be pushed back by a year. The NFL would push back any compensation owed to him in 2022 to 2023 while doing the same for each ensuing year. As such, the Browns wouldn't have had to pay Watson at all in 2022 if he was suspended a full year; however, CBS Sports' Joel Corry reports that $8.933 million of Watson's prorated signing bonus would still be on the books for 2022. As such, the Browns would save just $1.035 million in cap space, as a result of Watson's forfeited base salary. The Browns would have Watson under contract from 2023 through 2027 instead of 2022 through 2026 by virtue of his contract being pushed back a year. Below is a look at how Watson's contract would change if he is suspended for a full season, per information via Spotrac.com and Corry: Does Deshaun Watson forfeit any salary with a suspension? Watson's $230 million contract was fully guaranteed, but many are wondering if the Browns will be able to recoup some of the money if he is suspended. In short, they will not be able to. As CBS Sports' Joel Corry reports, there is language in the Browns' contract with Watson that prevents them from asking for any of his signing bonus or salary back. Below is the official cause from Watson's contract, per Corry. ...it shall not constitute a failure or refusal to practice or play with the Club and Player shall not be in default if: ... (iii) Player is suspended solely in connection with matters disclosed to Club in writing pursuant to Paragraph 42 which results in Player's unavailability to Club solely for games during the 2022 or 2023 NFL League Years. Had Watson's contract not included this language, the Browns would have been able to ask him to return his $8.933 million prorated signing bonus for 2022 if he was suspended for a full season. And with him suspended for part of the season, they could have asked for a prorated amount — number of games suspended divided by 18 — of it back. Alas, Watson made sure to protect himself and his money while negotiating an extension with the Browns. So, even with him out, the Browns will have few ways to get back the money they are budgeting for Watson outside of the $345,000 from his $1.035 million base salary.
That also clears up a question I had about the NFLPA taking the NFL to court over the suspension. If it is indeed a one-year suspension that triggers the contract to toll than there is no risk of having Watson suspended during the 2nd year of his contract and risking his 45M base salary.
I think, just based on current body of work, that Hunt is an upgrade. However, you invest draft capital for long term gain, and part of that is seeing whether those players are talented enough to get it done. Then, you consider whether to sign them long term - something that you wouldn't do if you're also signing Hunt long term. I'm not saying that Hunt wouldn't be useful there for a year, or wouldn't be the best RB there over the life of an extended deal. What I am saying is that, if you're a GM who has invested in the position already, adding another log to the fire given Hunt's particular, vocal needs for his future may not be the most desirable move. If that's the best offer they get for Jimmy, I guess they might take it, but I have to imagine there's something better for them, out there. I guess we'll see.
The only reason I would see this working for both parties is this. 1) Hunt is an instant upgrade to a team I expect has playoff/Super Bowl aspirations. They have moved on to their young QB, made it perfectly clear, especially having Garoppolo not practice. That tells me the end game is that he will not be on the roster for 2022. If he had passed his physical and joined the team, I would be thinking the opposite as I do now. So, they have two options, trade him for what ever they can get or cut him. One or the other is going to happen. 2) Jimmy, if healthy (and there is no reason to believe he isn't if he passed his physical) would be an instant upgrade to anyone on this team. He has a one year contract, it would seem that no one is interested in giving him a longer term contract based on the silence on the trade front. The Browns, it would seem would rather not jeopardize any more assets to the position.. but looking at it from @Lyman's and @beachbum's information contract wise, They really aren't in any different situation with the cap from the point they thought they were going to be in with Watson's 2023 cap space vs. losing the carryover cap space if they traded for Jimmy. In other words, they originally thought they would need carry over to even out the 2023 QB salary situation. If Watson gets a year, they won't have that cap situation, thus they won't need the same carry over for what they had planned. Jimmy probably wants a long term deal, but who is going to give it to him with his hurt wing and nothing to prove it is back to normal? Thus he goes to the perfect situation to prove his worth for his 2023 free agency. It's about as perfect a situation as any of the 4 parties involved could get.. Yes, the 4th party being Hunt who will immediately raise his stock for his free agency being the undisputed #1 back in San Fran.. that gives the 49ers a year to evaluate the young talent, while having the stud in the stable to maximize the 2022 season. It really does make a lot of sense...
When you look at it from your perspective, sure. I think you're not incorporating the realities of San Fran's / Hunt 's perspectives. Long term planning matters. Both of them have needs that aren't necessarily best served with this trade. Though, again, from a Brown's perspective, I see how it's attractive. I'm not saying it's impossible. I'm just saying that if I'm both San Fran and Hunt, I'm hoping something better is on the table.
Hunt is a really good RB that hasn’t been abused because he has sat behind Chubb the last few seasons. I would take him over any of the 49ers RBs, but financial it may not make sense for them.
Imagine making a bad deal like this for a toxic asset that still puts you 8th in the AFC at the QB position. Wild.
Pride. To be completely clear - I would have made the move already. But I also would have voided the Watson contract, so maybe I'm not the right guy to be asking. Garoppolo is a much better fit for Stefanski's offense in the first place. He's a top-tier game manager, which seems to be what Stefanksi craves and his cap number is reasonable for a QB these days. So why not make the deal? Pride.
Feels like more and more teams are pushing their chips all-in and doing what it takes to "win now". 100% -- it's going to Hunt and some additional resources, either players or picks. Hunt for Garoppolo is a lopsided trade, despite how good Hunt is, simply because San Fran holds all the cards.
