Post by sadface on Dec 24, 2017 15:55:19 GMT -5
How can the Jets use their current stocks to make smart investments in a QB for both long and short term? I was looking at the list of teams with the most cap room this offseason. They are as follows:
1. 49ers (Jimmy G)
2. Browns
3. Colts (Luck)
4. Jets
5. Bucs (Winston)
6. Vikings (Bridge/Keenum/Bradford)
7. Titans (Mariota)
8. Texans (Watson)
9. Lions (Stafford)
10. Redskins
11. Rams (Goff)
12. Bears (Trubisky)
13. Packers (Rodgers)
14. Bills
15. Bengals (Dalton)
Most of these teams have strong commitments to QBs, either in recent draft status or financial status. Only the Browns, Jets, Redskins, and Bills are going into next season truly wondering what the fuck they are going to do. The Colts could qualify for that as well, but at least have a big financial commitment to Luck.
With insane cap room, an increasingly attractive roster, and a decent pile of draft picks I think we could have some flexibility. Keep in mind, each team is required to spend a certain amount of dollars. We may not spend to the bottom dollar this offseason, but we have the flexibility to inflate a couple of deals so that we are not doling out dumb money to undeserving players. What I mean by this is -- we should avoid giving more money to mediocre players for the sake of spending the minimum threshold. Give extra money to that 1 big target player to ensure they come to us.
1. Sign Kirk Cousins to a short term deal. 3 years, 100 million. 60 million the first two years, fully guaranteed. 40 million the third year, guaranteed if he is on the team on the first day of the league year. Cousins becomes the highest paid player and the Jets still have at least 45-55 million (maybe more) in cap room this offseason. Retaining the key free agents (ASJ, Davis and Claiborne will be affordable) remains easy. If 40 million in year 3 is too much (it won't be), an extension can be signed to spread it out. Overall this deal would be be both team and player friendly and a relatively safe bet for both parties. Best of all, there is almost zero financial downside to this.
2. Draft a QB with a top-7 pick, even if it means trading up. If Cousins works out, you might have an excellent backup and a tradeable piece. if Cousins doesn't work out, you have his hopeful replacement ready to go after a year and a half on the bench. Cousins is then cut after year 2 with no cap implication. With no other superstars besides Leo needing a contract within the next 3 seasons, this is very easy to manage from a cap standpoint. The fanbase sees that the regime is dedicated to finding a long-term answer at QB and the likelihood of either Cousins or a rookie succeeding is higher than anything we've done since Sanchez.
3. With the remaining 30-40 million (ASJ, Claiborne, and Davis all brought back for 15-20), invest in a pass rusher and an OL. Sheldon can be brought back and given his history will not break the bank. That could still leave up to 25-30 million in wiggle room for either 1-2 big tickets or 4-5 contributors, plus rookies.
If Cousins doesn't happen, the above plan still works with, say, Bridgewater or even a guy like Bortles. We just save more money.
Get used to the idea of Cousins, guys. Of all the teams that can truly afford him, only one makes the most sense. That's us. We can do more for him than any other team and he can provide more for us than any other question mark. I don't necessarily think he's the answer (although he could be), but he is at the very least an affordable and surprisingly safe move to make. I'd rather have him and a 1st round rookie than just the rookie.
1. 49ers (Jimmy G)
2. Browns
3. Colts (Luck)
4. Jets
5. Bucs (Winston)
6. Vikings (Bridge/Keenum/Bradford)
7. Titans (Mariota)
8. Texans (Watson)
9. Lions (Stafford)
10. Redskins
11. Rams (Goff)
12. Bears (Trubisky)
13. Packers (Rodgers)
14. Bills
15. Bengals (Dalton)
Most of these teams have strong commitments to QBs, either in recent draft status or financial status. Only the Browns, Jets, Redskins, and Bills are going into next season truly wondering what the fuck they are going to do. The Colts could qualify for that as well, but at least have a big financial commitment to Luck.
With insane cap room, an increasingly attractive roster, and a decent pile of draft picks I think we could have some flexibility. Keep in mind, each team is required to spend a certain amount of dollars. We may not spend to the bottom dollar this offseason, but we have the flexibility to inflate a couple of deals so that we are not doling out dumb money to undeserving players. What I mean by this is -- we should avoid giving more money to mediocre players for the sake of spending the minimum threshold. Give extra money to that 1 big target player to ensure they come to us.
1. Sign Kirk Cousins to a short term deal. 3 years, 100 million. 60 million the first two years, fully guaranteed. 40 million the third year, guaranteed if he is on the team on the first day of the league year. Cousins becomes the highest paid player and the Jets still have at least 45-55 million (maybe more) in cap room this offseason. Retaining the key free agents (ASJ, Davis and Claiborne will be affordable) remains easy. If 40 million in year 3 is too much (it won't be), an extension can be signed to spread it out. Overall this deal would be be both team and player friendly and a relatively safe bet for both parties. Best of all, there is almost zero financial downside to this.
2. Draft a QB with a top-7 pick, even if it means trading up. If Cousins works out, you might have an excellent backup and a tradeable piece. if Cousins doesn't work out, you have his hopeful replacement ready to go after a year and a half on the bench. Cousins is then cut after year 2 with no cap implication. With no other superstars besides Leo needing a contract within the next 3 seasons, this is very easy to manage from a cap standpoint. The fanbase sees that the regime is dedicated to finding a long-term answer at QB and the likelihood of either Cousins or a rookie succeeding is higher than anything we've done since Sanchez.
3. With the remaining 30-40 million (ASJ, Claiborne, and Davis all brought back for 15-20), invest in a pass rusher and an OL. Sheldon can be brought back and given his history will not break the bank. That could still leave up to 25-30 million in wiggle room for either 1-2 big tickets or 4-5 contributors, plus rookies.
If Cousins doesn't happen, the above plan still works with, say, Bridgewater or even a guy like Bortles. We just save more money.
Get used to the idea of Cousins, guys. Of all the teams that can truly afford him, only one makes the most sense. That's us. We can do more for him than any other team and he can provide more for us than any other question mark. I don't necessarily think he's the answer (although he could be), but he is at the very least an affordable and surprisingly safe move to make. I'd rather have him and a 1st round rookie than just the rookie.