Cap space is confusing and is usually overlooked by the average fan, but poor cap space management can be detrimental to a roster for years. Twitter asked, I answered:
Please tell me the Vikings have SOME cap space to address the offensive line
Emily: Signing Kirk Cousins really depleted their cap, but because of the short time they did sign him, three years for $84 million, they will probably keep him on as long as they can without eating any dead money. They have a little over $10 million for 2019 left so their best bet is to sign an older free agent.
They have the 18th pick in the first round if they want to pick up an RB or WR. Hopefully they can pick up someone they are confident can run with the 1’s or 2’s at minimum. Their 2019 spending is actually heavier on the defensive side which says a lot with the Cousins contract.
Latavius Murray will be a free agent, though, so whether or not they re-sign him will be determinative of the direction they plan on going offensively (“win now” versus rebuild).
Do you think the Vikings can pull together a playoff run in the 2019-20 season?
Emily: Doubtful with Cousins’s 2018 performance unless they really do something to further develop an anemic run game to make up for his shortcomings. Stefanski is promising and it sounds like he wants the offense to become more physical which could be determinative.
What’s your take on the Foles/Wentz debacle that’s emerging?
Emily: They can’t afford to keep both. Rationally, I think Foles is the superior choice. But Roseman jumped through a lot of hoops in 2016 to get Wentz and I could see why he would be reticent to let him go. Philadelphia has since then announced Wentz as their quarterback for the future.
Foles has a one year option in his contract the Eagles must exercise one week after the Super Bowl. They will be forced to make a choice regardless of how fresh off of the postseason they are.
Interesting. I lie on the opposite end – regardless of what this postseason run ends with I’d side with Wentz for longevity/upside and the ridiculous 2017 season.
Emily: Plenty of other franchises would kill to have to make this type of decision, and they really can’t go “wrong” as there are sound arguments for both. The only concern I have heard for Wentz is his lack of self-control in playmaking to avoid getting hurt, but that is teachable.
He does tend to put himself in harm’s way. I have faith he’ll calm down eventually.
Emily: If they do choose to trade him he could be a contender for OAK or JAX…. Whereas Foles may be a better fit for the NYG. Again, in hindsight, all could be viable options for Foles but rumorville has targeted NYG as a possible destination for Foles.
As a Steelers fan how much cap space will we have to spend? We need help in the secondary and a backup RB for Conner.
Emily: Pitt has a little over $12 million left in the cap. All teams must spend > 89% of their cap (2019 cap is $189 million) & they’ve already hit over the 89% at $196 million. Their offensive situation is up in the air, but I could see them drafting a cheap rookie running back to back up Conner.
The secondary free agent market is going to be expensive (ex. Earl Thomas/LaMarcus Joyner). I could see them picking up a mid-tier vet for the secondary and putting them on a shorter contract with a higher signing bonus that they can spread out to lower the cap hit.
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