Category Archives: Steelers Salary Cap

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Steelers Exercise Fifth Year Option For Cam Heyward

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The Steelers have exercised the fifth year option for Cam Heyward’s contract according to NFL reports.


The team had until May 3rd to pick up the option. By doing so, they retain the rights to him for an additional year for a salary of $6.969 Mil. That salary is considerably less than a franchise tag would be, so the option makes sense.

The salary is only guaranteed to injury, and the player can be released prior to the start of the 2015 season without penalty. The Steelers will obviously want to extend Heyward before that time.

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Adam Podlesh Contract Appears To Have Been Without A Signing Bonus

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The Steelers signed veteran punter Adam Podlesh last week. When they announced the signing, I mentioned that it would qualify for the veteran minimum benefit. I also opined that it may not have included a signing bonus, which appears to indeed be the case.

While the contract details have not been released yet, the NFLPA salary report shows a difference of $75,000- the lowest amount his contract could count towards the cap without a signing bonus. Due to the vet minimum benefit, his $855,000 salary only counts $570,000 towards the cap. After displacing a low $495,000 contract from the top 51, his signing only moves the cap needle by $75,000. Based on that data, the Steelers now have roughly $300,000 in salary cap space.

Podlesh signed a 5 year, $10 Mil deal with the Bears in 2011, but was released last month. The move saved the Bears $1.025 Mil. Since the signing appears to have not included a signing bonus, the Steelers can release him at any time without incurring any dead money. Thanks for stopping by, and as always, thanks for sharing on the web.

Cortez Allen contract

Analyzing Cam Heyward’s 5th Year Option With The Steelers

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Some NFL teams are starting to pick up the 5th year options for their 2011 first round picks. If you’re not familiar with it, the 5th year option is a provision in the new CBA that allows teams to extend a player’s rookie contract by one year. The window to pick up the option is between the end of the 3rd season, and May 3rd of the fourth year.

The cost of the 5th year option varies depending on where the player was selected, and what general position they play. Players selected in the first 10 picks carry a one year salary equal to the transition tag amount. Outside of the first ten picks, the numbers are similar to the transition tag, but the top 3-25 salaries are used to calculate the salary, as opposed to the top ten salaries. The money is only guaranteed due to injury.

Here are the top ten option amounts by position:

Quarterback: $14.666 Mil
Running back: $8.033 Mil
Wide receiver: $10.176 Mil
Tight end: $6.106 Mil
Offensive lineman: $10.039 Mil
Defensive end: $10.633 Mil
Defensive tackle: $8.060 Mil
Linebacker: $9.754 Mil
Cornerback: $10.081 Mil
Safety: $7.253 Mil
Kicker/punter: $3.205 Mil

Here are the numbers for picks 11-32 on offense:

Quarterback: $9.686 Mil
Running back: $5.211 Mil
Wide receiver: $6.776 Mil
Tight End: $3.913 Mil
Offensive lineman: $7.438 Mil

Here are the numbers for picks 11-32 on defense:

Defensive End: $6.969 Mil
Defensive Tackle: $5.477 Mil
Linebacker: $7.038 Mil
Cornerback: $6.898 Mil
Safety: $4.670 Mil

As you can see, if the Steelers pick up the fifth year option for Cam Heyward, his 2015 salary will be $6,969,000. While it’s probable that they will indeed pick up the option, it might not be the smartest action from a management standpoint. If they are going to extend Heyward, which I’m sure they’ll want to do, then they could be smart to avoid the 5th year option and just work towards an extension. I don’t have statistical data to back it up, but when you add a fixed one year sum (ie transition or franchise tag), it can add a complication to the negotiation of a long term contract.

Aside from that possible consequence, there really isn’t any harm in picking up the option. While the money is guaranteed in case of injury, the club retains the rights to the player for another year, and can sign the player to an extension at any point.

238px-Adam_Podlesh

Steelers Sign Punter Adam Podlesh To One Year Deal

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The Steelers have signed veteran punter Adam Podlesh to a one year deal.

Podlesh was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 4th round of the 2007 draft. He signed a $10 Mil deal with the Bears in 2011, but was a cap casualty 10 days ago. His performance in Chicago last year left much to be desired. The former Maryland standout finished 29th in the league with his 37.9 net average in 2013.

Look, I know most people aren’t going to do cartwheels over this signing, but it’s risk free, and Podlesh will add a leg in camp competing with Brad Wing this summer. His base salary will be for the minimum of $855,000, but will count only $570,000 towards the cap due to the veteran minimum benefit.

After displacing a low $495,000 salary from the top 51, his signing could potentially move the salary cap needle by as little as $75,000. That number could go up as much as $65,000 depending on the signing bonus. The signing will leave the Steelers with roughly $305,000-$240,000 in cap space.

Thanks for stopping by, and as always, be sure to share with your friends.

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Darrius Heyward-Bey Contract Details & Steelers Salary Cap Update

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The details of Darrius Heyward-Bey’s contract are now available, and as I figured the other day, the deal is for one year at the veteran minimum, including a $65,000 signing bonus. As such, the contract qualifies for the veteran minimum salary benefit. Here’s how it breaks down.

[table]

Player, Year, Base Salary, Signing Bonus, Salary Cap Number

“Heyward-Bey, Darrius”, 2014, “$730,000”, “$65,000”, “$635,000”

[/table]

After displacement of the top 51, I can tell you that the Steelers should be sitting at roughly $380,000 under the salary cap right now.  Believe it or not, the Steelers still have room to add more veteran depth to the roster before the draft.

They may likely choose to do so without making any moves to clear additional cap space. The team could also work out a long term contract with Jason Worilds at any time, which in turn would clear at least a few million in cap space this year. Thanks for stopping by, and as always, be sure to share with your friends.

David Decastro contract

Contract Details For LeGarrette Blount And Brice McCain

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The Steelers signed CB Brice McCain today. The deal was for one year at the vet minimum, including a $65,000 signing bonus. I can also give you the specific contract details for LeGarrette Blount, who signed with the Steelers last week, as well as a salary cap update that you likely won’t get anywhere else.

[table]

Player, Year, Base Salary, Signing Bonus, Salary Cap Number

“McCain, Brice”, 2014, “$730,000”, “$65,000”, “$635,000”

[/table]

McCain’s contract qualifies for the veteran minimum salary benefit, so his base salary will only count against the cap the same as a 2nd year player’s minimum salary would- $570,000. After displacement on the top 51, his addition will only move the salary cap needle by $140,000.

LeGarrette Blount’s 2 year deal can be seen below. His 2014 cap number is $1.375 Mil.
[table]

Player, Year, Base Salary, Signing Bonus, Salary Cap Number

“Blount, LeGarrette”, 2014, “$900,000”, “$475,000”, “$1,375,000”

“Blount, LeGarrette”, 2015, “$2,000,000”, “$475,000”, “$2,475,000”

[/table]
His signing displaced the top 51 cap number by $880,000. The Steelers had approximately $1.4 Mil in salary cap space before signing Blount on Friday. I know…you’re probably saying, “Steve, you’re wrong. So and so said it was $1 million!” The number that most people are using is from the NFLPA’s public spreadsheet. That number hasn’t been accurate for a while.

The NFL and NFLPA often don’t have matching salary cap numbers, and the NFLPA’s is not official. One major discrepancy is the way in which the NFLPA accounts for players who are designated June 1st cuts. With that out of the way, let’s wrap this up. After the signing of Blount and McClain, the team should be sitting roughly $380,000 under the cap by my calculations.

As you’ve likely realized, the team has enough cap room to sign another veteran for the minimum if they want to, without having to make moves to clear space. Thanks for stopping by and be sure to share with your friends.

Cortez Allen contract

A Look At LeGarrette Blount’s Contract Details

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The general details of newly signed Steelers running back LeGarrette Blount’s contract have been released. The two year deal is for $3.85 Mil, including a guaranteed signing bonus of $950,000.  The deal also includes a performance incentive of $150,000, which Blount can earn if he gains 800 yards in the upcoming season.

While I do not know the specifics yet, it’s possible that his signing could move the salary cap needle as little as $785,000, leaving the Steelers with over $600,000 in salary cap space (ball park). Here’s a look at how it could likely be set up, and an explanation of the cap estimate.

[table]

Player, Year, Base Salary, Signing Bonus, Salary Cap Number

“Blount, LeGarrette”, 2014, “$730,000”, “$475,000”, “$1,205,000”

“Blount, LeGarrette”, 2015, “$2,170,000”, “$475,000”, “$2,645,000”

[/table]

While I can’t promise his 2014 base salary will be quite that low, you can be certain it will be structured similarly. Using this model, after displacing a low minimum salary from the top 51 (420 K), the salary cap impact  right now would only be $785,000. The Steelers are currently sitting at a little over $1.4 Mil in salary cap space. So, the signing of LeGarrette Blount could leave the Steelers with just under $700,000. I’ll update this when this year’s base salary number is available. However you cut it, this was a good signing at a good price.

Thanks for stopping by, and as always, be sure to share with your friends.

Lance Moore Signs His 2 Year Deal Worth $3 Million

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Lance Moore has officially signed his two year deal, according to Steelers PR man Burt Lauten.

Moore’s two year contract has a total value of $3 Mil. The deal includes a $645,000 guaranteed signing bonus, with no other guarantees. His contract with the Saints that was voided called for $3.8 Mil in cash in 2014.

Here is a breakdown of his contract.

[table]

Player, Year, Base Salary, Signing Bonus, Salary Cap Number

“Moore, Lance”, 2014, “$855,000 “, “$322,500”, “$1,177,500”
“Moore, Lance”, 2015, “$1,500,000”, “$322,500”, “$1,822,500”
[/table]

As you might expect, the contract is a very terminable one if the need should arise after this season.

Moats One Year Deal Qualifies For Minimum Salary Benefit

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The contract details for the Arthur Moats signing are available. The deal is for one year, with a base salary of $730,000- the minimum for a 4 to 6 year veteran. The deal also includes a low qualifying signing bonus of $65,000.

Being that the deal is for one year, includes a signing bonus of no more than $65,000, and is for the minimum non-guaranteed base salary, it will qualify for the veteran minimum salary benefit. His $730,000 base salary will only count $570,000 against the 2014 salary cap, the same as a 2nd year veteran’s minimum salary would. Expanding on that even further, his signing will ultimately only move the cap needle $150,000 due to rule of 51 displacement.

Last year, the Steelers saved over $1,375 Mil towards the cap by structuring deals this way. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Thanks for stopping by, and as always, be sure to share with your friends.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Panthers Sign Cotchery To Five Year Deal

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The Panthers signed former Steelers wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery to a five year deal yesterday.

There were early reports stating that it was a two year deal, but those were not correct. Cotchery’s contract is a 5 year deal, totaling $8.015 Mil. The deal includes a $2.25 Mil guaranteed signing bonus. The deal also includes a $50,000 workout bonus in 2015. Here is a breakdown of the contract.

[table]

Player, Year, Base Salary, Prorated Signing Bonus, Salary Cap Number

“Cotchery, Jerricho”, 2014, “$1,250,000”, “$450,000”, “$1,700,000”
“Cotchery, Jerricho”, 2015, “$1,450,000”, “$450,000”, “$1,950,000”
“Cotchery, Jerricho”, 2016, “$1,000,000”, “$450,000”, “$1,450,000”

“Cotchery, Jerricho”, 2017, “$1,000,000”, “$450,000”, “$1,450,000”

“Cotchery, Jerricho”, 2018, “$1,015,000”, “$450,000”, “$1,465,000”

[/table]

As you can see, this is a good deal for Cotchery, and a better one than the Steelers would have offered certainly. On top of that, Cotchery played at NC State in college, and has friends and family there. About the signing, Cotchery said, “I’m home. I’m coming back home.”

“I left Ben Roethlisberger. If you’re going to leave a quarterback like that, you better be sure that you’re going to go to someone that can play at a high level.”, Cotchery told the Panthers website.