Re: Carucci: Peppers close to going to NE for #34 (merged 3x)
Someone reported a few pages back that if a franchise player is traded, the new team must have the full cap space money available for the franchise, even if the contract is restructured, or even if it is a sign and trade.
If he signs a deal negotiated by the Patriots and then gets traded, this isn't a problem. [I only just realized that by sign and trade, you mean sign the franchise tender and then trade.]
But there are other considerations, like how the league would view it.
I've long wondered about the possibility of a cap space for draft picks swap.
Suppose Team A wants player X, but doesn't have the cap space. Team B has cap space but needs draft picks.
1. Team A negotiates a contract with player X including a big signing bonus
2. Team A works out a trade with Team B. Team B gets a draft pick, and they get player X who is already signed to the deal that Team A has negotiated.
3. Player X signs the deal with Team B, getting the signing bonus from Team B.
4. Team B trades Player X to Team A for the pick
Net result:
Team B has BOUGHT a draft pick with cash and cap space equal to the signing bonus.
Team A has signed Player X while saving the cash and cap space paid by Team B
Alternate Net Result:
The commissioner voids the contract or trade or both. Possible NFLPA grievance follows.