Patriots vs Eagles- Salary Cap Strategy

[CPA_MM]

The introduction of the salary cap's initial strategy was likely a move to minimize dead money. However, the more recent approach of using void years to reduce the current cap, while it allows for higher contracts, also significantly increases the risk of accumulating dead money. This intricate balance between potential reward and the risk of more dead money poses a thought-provoking question: Is the possible reward of higher contract values using void years worth the risk of more dead money?

The Eagles' and Patriots' approaches to salary cap management are not just different; they are starkly contrasting. The numbers reveal a stark contrast in their strategies. I meticulously examined the highest 53-player cap charges over five seasons (2019-2023), and the differences are striking.

• The Patriots averaged $10M/season of dead money lower than the Eagles.
• The Eagle's player contract value averaged $47M/season higher than the Patriots.
• In the 2023 season just ended, the Eagle's cap charge to contract value was 59%, the Patriots 98%.

Upon analyzing the data, a clear pattern emerges. The Eagles' player contracts averaged $47M more than the Patriots, and their dead cap write-offs almost doubled. Is the ability to write contracts of $47M/season higher using void years a more favorable strategy than having fewer dead cap write-offs?

As of June 22, 2024, the current status shows the Patriots with $218M in contract value and a cap charge of 92%. The Eagles have $307M in adjusted APY and a cap charge of 60%. The Eagles have 18 contracts with $409M of cap assigned to void years. The Patriots have one contract with $2M assigned to void years.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

The introduction of the salary cap's initial strategy was likely a move to minimize dead money. However, the more recent approach of using void years to reduce the current cap, while it allows for higher contracts, also significantly increases the risk of accumulating dead money. This intricate balance between potential reward and the risk of more dead money poses a thought-provoking question: Is the possible reward of higher contract values using void years worth the risk of more dead money?

The Eagles' and Patriots' approaches to salary cap management are not just different; they are starkly contrasting. The numbers reveal a stark contrast in their strategies. I meticulously examined the highest 53-player cap charges over five seasons (2019-2023), and the differences are striking.

• The Patriots averaged $10M/season of dead money lower than the Eagles.
• The Eagle's player contract value averaged $47M/season higher than the Patriots.
• In the 2023 season just ended, the Eagle's cap charge to contract value was 59%, the Patriots 98%.

Upon analyzing the data, a clear pattern emerges. The Eagles' player contracts averaged $47M more than the Patriots, and their dead cap write-offs almost doubled. Is the ability to write contracts of $47M/season higher using void years a more favorable strategy than having fewer dead cap write-offs?

As of June 22, 2024, the current status shows the Patriots with $218M in contract value and a cap charge of 92%. The Eagles have $307M in adjusted APY and a cap charge of 60%. The Eagles have 18 contracts with $409M of cap assigned to void years. The Patriots have one contract with $2M assigned to void years.

Great job. Do the 18 contracts with $409M of cap assigned to void years also require more cash up front? If yes, the Pats' cap strategy might be avoiding paying out cash, not avoiding
dead cap write-offs.

 

[jmt57]

The introduction of the salary cap's initial strategy was likely a move to minimize dead money. However, the more recent approach of using void years to reduce the current cap, while it allows for higher contracts, also significantly increases the risk of accumulating dead money. This intricate balance between potential reward and the risk of more dead money poses a thought-provoking question: Is the possible reward of higher contract values using void years worth the risk of more dead money?

The Eagles' and Patriots' approaches to salary cap management are not just different; they are starkly contrasting. The numbers reveal a stark contrast in their strategies. I meticulously examined the highest 53-player cap charges over five seasons (2019-2023), and the differences are striking.

• The Patriots averaged $10M/season of dead money lower than the Eagles.
• The Eagle's player contract value averaged $47M/season higher than the Patriots.
• In the 2023 season just ended, the Eagle's cap charge to contract value was 59%, the Patriots 98%.

Upon analyzing the data, a clear pattern emerges. The Eagles' player contracts averaged $47M more than the Patriots, and their dead cap write-offs almost doubled. Is the ability to write contracts of $47M/season higher using void years a more favorable strategy than having fewer dead cap write-offs?

As of June 22, 2024, the current status shows the Patriots with $218M in contract value and a cap charge of 92%. The Eagles have $307M in adjusted APY and a cap charge of 60%. The Eagles have 18 contracts with $409M of cap assigned to void years. The Patriots have one contract with $2M assigned to void years.

Since this the slowest part of the offseason, and the topic does include a comparison to the Patriots, I am going to move this thread from the NFL Forum to the Patriots Forum for more eyeballs/discussion.

 

[Huckleberry1]

The introduction of the salary cap's initial strategy was likely a move to minimize dead money. However, the more recent approach of using void years to reduce the current cap, while it allows for higher contracts, also significantly increases the risk of accumulating dead money. This intricate balance between potential reward and the risk of more dead money poses a thought-provoking question: Is the possible reward of higher contract values using void years worth the risk of more dead money?

The Eagles' and Patriots' approaches to salary cap management are not just different; they are starkly contrasting. The numbers reveal a stark contrast in their strategies. I meticulously examined the highest 53-player cap charges over five seasons (2019-2023), and the differences are striking.

• The Patriots averaged $10M/season of dead money lower than the Eagles.
• The Eagle's player contract value averaged $47M/season higher than the Patriots.
• In the 2023 season just ended, the Eagle's cap charge to contract value was 59%, the Patriots 98%.

Upon analyzing the data, a clear pattern emerges. The Eagles' player contracts averaged $47M more than the Patriots, and their dead cap write-offs almost doubled. Is the ability to write contracts of $47M/season higher using void years a more favorable strategy than having fewer dead cap write-offs?

As of June 22, 2024, the current status shows the Patriots with $218M in contract value and a cap charge of 92%. The Eagles have $307M in adjusted APY and a cap charge of 60%. The Eagles have 18 contracts with $409M of cap assigned to void years. The Patriots have one contract with $2M assigned to void years.

Interesting post. Thanks

 

[Huckleberry1]

Since this the slowest part of the offseason, and the topic does include a comparison to the Patriots, I am going to move this thread from the NFL Forum to the Patriots Forum for more eyeballs/discussion.

Good move.

 

[maust]

Fair to say a certain measure of the difference in the two team's 'strategies' is driven by the opposing realities of their respective rosters. Philly having a relatively loaded one to maintain with less cap room is perforce going to use more devices to kick the can down the road vs a New England team with fewer high end players to retain and room to spend now.

 

[Vindicate]

The introduction of the salary cap's initial strategy was likely a move to minimize dead money. However, the more recent approach of using void years to reduce the current cap, while it allows for higher contracts, also significantly increases the risk of accumulating dead money. This intricate balance between potential reward and the risk of more dead money poses a thought-provoking question: Is the possible reward of higher contract values using void years worth the risk of more dead money?

The Eagles' and Patriots' approaches to salary cap management are not just different; they are starkly contrasting. The numbers reveal a stark contrast in their strategies. I meticulously examined the highest 53-player cap charges over five seasons (2019-2023), and the differences are striking.

• The Patriots averaged $10M/season of dead money lower than the Eagles.
• The Eagle's player contract value averaged $47M/season higher than the Patriots.
• In the 2023 season just ended, the Eagle's cap charge to contract value was 59%, the Patriots 98%.

Upon analyzing the data, a clear pattern emerges. The Eagles' player contracts averaged $47M more than the Patriots, and their dead cap write-offs almost doubled. Is the ability to write contracts of $47M/season higher using void years a more favorable strategy than having fewer dead cap write-offs?

As of June 22, 2024, the current status shows the Patriots with $218M in contract value and a cap charge of 92%. The Eagles have $307M in adjusted APY and a cap charge of 60%. The Eagles have 18 contracts with $409M of cap assigned to void years. The Patriots have one contract with $2M assigned to void years.

From a distribution perspective, are there any qualities to either team? Such as, does either team have a top-heavy roster where there is a large disparity between the top and bottom with little presence in the middle?

Side note: it's wild to me how bad the contract situation is in the NFL relative to other major league sports.

 

[mgteich]

Fair to say a certain measure of the difference in the two team's 'strategies' is driven by the opposing realities of their respective rosters. Philly having a relatively loaded one to maintain with less cap room is perforce going to use more devices to kick the can down the road vs a New England team with fewer high end players to retain and room to spend now.

Since we are not in a playoff fight, we shouldn't be pushing as much down the road, Starting next year I will be very disappointed if we defer a lot more.

Even then, there are many strategies and goals. Does a tem gear up for that 2-3 year window, knowing that they will be horrible for the next 5 years? Or do they try to have a strategy that try to be always competitive, while till trying to take advantage of the windows as they are available (primarily by great performance by their first contract QB and by others in their rookie contracts.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

2025 cap space is interesting - the Pats have the most, with $91m and zero dead money, while the Saints are in cap hell, being $88m in the red. (From overthecap.com ). The Browns and 49ers (Aiyuk relevant) are also in a bind.

 

[Vindicate]

2025 cap space is interesting - the Pats have the most, with $91m and zero dead money, while the Saints are in cap hell, being $88m in the red. (From overthecap.com ). The Browns and 49ers (Aiyuk relevant) are also in a bind.

How in the hell are the Falcons so cap strapped yet such a bad team lol

 

[borg]

Note:
During this 5 year period, Philly made the playoffs 4 times, NE twice

Is the goal best accounting or winning?

 

[mgteich]

Note:
During this 5 year period, Philly made the playoffs 4 times, NE twice

Is the goal best accounting or winning?

I suspect that we will do better from 2025 through 2029.

I

 

[Wozzy]

The Eagles and Patriots are in different places on their salary cap journey.

The Eagles just paid Jalen Hurts his massive deal, but they mostly kicked his cap debt into 2025 and beyond with a slow escalation.

The Patriots don't have a lot of money dedicated to the QB position and have some time to figure this out. This is the time to build a team around Drake Maye, compete now and be ready to pay him after year three. Assuming he develops into a great QB, they'll be ready to lock him up then.

They'll mold contracts now that fit around that time table. If he sucks this is a moot conversation, they'll have to pivot in another direction. But if he's great, they can craft his contract in relation to the great players around him and use his contract to create space to retain said great players... create a championship window to maximize the talent on the team.

 

[Wozzy]

2025 cap space is interesting - the Pats have the most, with $91m and zero dead money, while the Saints are in cap hell, being $88m in the red. (From overthecap.com ). The Browns and 49ers (Aiyuk relevant) are also in a bind.

What's also important when looking at that chart is the number players under contract, and knowing who those players are. If the 52 players the Patriots have under contract (not a lot) are starters, it's a lot better than jags who are simply warm bodies to get them through training camp this offseason. Those players won't help you much in 2025.

Cap space is important in relation to the team you already have, having a ton of cap space but a crappy team is not good unless you're just starting over. Having no cap space but a championship roster is fine.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

What's also important when looking at that chart is the number players under contract, and knowing who those players are.

Absolutely - that's partly why we had so much space this year - bunch of our players still had to be extended. Key players for the Pats are signed through next year except for Judon. They'll have to do something with his contract this year for that matter.

New England Patriots Salary Cap | Over the Cap

New England Patriots salary cap, contracts, bonus money, dead money, and cap savings for every player

overthecap.com

Matt Judon Contract Details, Salary Cap Charges, Bonus Money, and Contract History | Over The Cap

Matt Judon contract and salary cap details, including signing bonus, guaranteed salary, dead money, roster bonuses, and contract history

overthecap.com

The Patriots have been hurt the last few years not extending players early enough. As the cap has risen, so any contracts for good players signed in the past few years look more and more valuable.

Aside from the coaching debacle 2 years ago, Bill's other main blunder was being too stingy with future cap. The could easily have signed DeAndre Hopkins, for example.

 

[maust]

How in the hell are the Falcons so cap strapped yet such a bad team lol

The phenomenon that is the Kirk Cousins effect probably has a bit to do with it.

 

[Wozzy]

Absolutely - thst's partly why we had so much space this year - bunch of our players still had to be extended. Key players for the Pats are signed through next year except for Judon. They'll have to do something with his contract this year for that matter.

New England Patriots Salary Cap | Over the Cap

New England Patriots salary cap, contracts, bonus money, dead money, and cap savings for every player

overthecap.com

Matt Judon Contract Details, Salary Cap Charges, Bonus Money, and Contract History | Over The Cap

Matt Judon contract and salary cap details, including signing bonus, guaranteed salary, dead money, roster bonuses, and contract history

overthecap.com

The Patriots have been hurt the last few years not extending players early enough. As the cap has risen, so any contracts for good players signed in the past few years look more and more valuable.

Aside from the coaching debacle 2 years ago, Bill's other main blunder was being too stingy with future cap. The could easily have signed DeAndre Hopkins, for example.

They’ve signed a lot of free agents this off-season, like Pats fans have done for decades if they re-signed their own free agents many don’t consider that improving the team… though it often is. Very often the best free agents available were Patriots.

They should extend a few more guys another season or two, namely older guys who just want their 2023 salaries guaranteed like Judon and Godchaux. They should be ready to pay guys who show out this season.

If Marco Wilson takes that #2 job and plays like a #1 like he’s capable you need to pay him. Trysten Hill if he suddenly breaks out also, he has a lot of untapped talent. Shaun Wade might play great at FS, continuity is worth an extension.

 

[mgteich]

Absolutely - that's partly why we had so much space this year - bunch of our players still had to be extended. Key players for the Pats are signed through next year except for Judon. They'll have to do something with his contract this year for that matter.

New England Patriots Salary Cap | Over the Cap

New England Patriots salary cap, contracts, bonus money, dead money, and cap savings for every player

overthecap.com

Matt Judon Contract Details, Salary Cap Charges, Bonus Money, and Contract History | Over The Cap

Matt Judon contract and salary cap details, including signing bonus, guaranteed salary, dead money, roster bonuses, and contract history

overthecap.com

The Patriots have been hurt the last few years not extending players early enough. As the cap has risen, so any contracts for good players signed in the past few years look more and more valuable.

Aside from the coaching debacle 2 years ago, Bill's other main blunder was being too stingy with future cap. The could easily have signed DeAndre Hopkins, for example.

???

IMO, the patriots have 6 players that need extension, probably less than most teams and the number should be reduced before the season starts. Yet, we still have more cap money in 2025 than any other team, with no dead money. We are not in the same situation as PHI or most anyone else. Whenever we wish, we can sign a few significant free agents and defer much of their compensation.

Presuming the May is even a top 15 QB, we have a playoff window for at least 4 years, starting next year. We would simply pick up the 5th year option. But yes, after 3 years, a decision will need to be made.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

???

IMO, the patriots have 6 players that need extension, probably less than most teams

I was referring to the situation earlier this year, before we had signed or extended players such as Bourne, Henry, Onwenu, Barmore, Dugger, Andrews, Uche, and now Stevenson. That we still have the most cap space this year after all that activity shows just how much space we started with.

 

[mgteich]

I was referring to the situation earlier this year, before we had signed or extended players such as Bourne, Henry, Onwenu, Barmore, Dugger, Andrews, Uche, and now Stevenson. That we still have the most cap space this year after all that activity shows just how much space we started with.

fair enough

We still have more that anyone for 2024 and 2025. It seems that we are likely to carryover $25M into 2025. We will then be in a position to sign whoever we want next year and start to defer more money.