Offseason Cap Questions: Buffalo Bills
An offseason look at a view Buffalo Bills with contractual question marks heading into 2018, and the cap ramifications should they retire, be traded, or be released in the coming weeks.
Cordy Glenn, OT
The 28-year-old former 2nd round pick out of Georgia has All-Pro potential when healthy, but staying on the field has been a problem in recent years. His cap number jumps to $14.45M in 2018, which ranks 2nd on the Bills (for now), & 3rd among active NFL left tackles. His $11.25M cash to be made in 2018 ranks 6th among signed left tackles.
Upcoming Dates
$6.5M of his $9.25M salary becomes fully guaranteed on March 16th. A $2M roster bonus is due on March 18th
Trade Ramifications
Pre March 18th: $9.6M dead cap, $4.85M savings
March 18th - June 1st: $11.6M dead cap ($2.85M savings)
Post June 1st: $5.2M dead cap ($9.25M savings), additional $6.4M dead cap in 2019
Release Ramifications
Pre March 16th: $11.1M dead cap ($3.35M savings)
March 16th-June 1st: $18.1M dead cap (-$3.65M savings)
Post June 1st: $11.7M dead cap ($2.75M savings), additional $6.4M dead cap in 2019.
View Cordy Glenn's Contract Breakdown
Tyrod Taylor, QB
Taylor has been a fairly productive, efficient QB for the Bills across 3 seasons, but with draft assets in hand and free agent options available, his tenure in Buffalo appears to be closing. His $18.08M cap figure in 20108 ranks 1st on the Bills, and 16th among signed QBs. Upcoming Dates A $6M roster bonus is paid on March 16th
Trade Ramifications
Pre March 16th: $7.64M dead cap ($10.44M savings)
March 16th - June 1st: $13.64M dead cap ($4.44M savings)
Post June 1st: $8.08M dead cap ($10M savings), additional $5.56M dead cap in 2019
Release Ramifications
Pre March 16th: $8.64M dead cap ($9.44M savings)
March 16th-June 1st: $13.64M dead cap ($4.44M savings)
Post June 1st: $8.08M dead cap ($10M savings), additional $5.56M dead cap in 2019
View Tyrod Taylor's Contract Breakdown
Jerry Hughes, DE
After 19.5 sacks in 2 seasons under Jim Schwartz's defense, Hughes just hasn't found the same pass-rush production since. He's still posting strong tackle/run-stop numbers, but the 29-year-old may not be the best fit for the current Bills' system. His $10.4M cap figure in 2018 ranks 3rd on the Bills, and 11th among signed DEs.
Upcoming Dates
A $1M roster bonus is paid on March 18th
Trade Ramifications
Pre March 18th: $5.8M dead cap ($4.6M savings)
March 18th - June 1st: $6.8M dead cap ($3.6M savings)
Post June 1st: $3.9M dead cap ($6.5M savings), additional $2.9M dead cap in 2019
Release Ramifications
Pre March 18th: $5.8M dead cap ($4.6M savings)
March 18th - June 1st: $6.8M dead cap ($3.6M savings)
Post June 1st: $3.9M dead cap ($6.5M savings), additional $2.9M dead cap in 2019
View Jerry Hughes' Contract Breakdown
Richie Incognito, OG
Incognito has played every game since joining the Bills in 2015, while making the Pro Bowl each season as well. He's still a very capable lineman even at 34-years old, but his cap number jumps to $7.575M in 2018. While this isn't outrageous by any stretch, it may be too rich for Buffalo given their current standing. He's a borderline cut candidates at this point.
Trade or Release Ramifications
$1.15M dead cap ($6.425M savings)
View Richie Incognito's Contract Breakdown
Lorenzo Alexander, OLB
After a dream season in 2016 (12.5 sacks, 70 tackles), Alexander's role was altered in 2017, dropping his pass-rush production down to almost nothing (3 sacks). He still posted 70 tackles (57 solo), and forced 3 fumbles in 2017, and his $3.6M cap hit for 2018 isn't doing much damage. The question here becomes does the 34-year-old want to return next season.
Upcoming Dates
A $300,000 roster bonus is due March 16th
Trade Ramifications
Pre March 16th: $550,000 dead cap ($3.05M savings)
Post March 16th: $850,000 dead cap ($2.75M savings)
Release Ramifications
$850,000 dead cap ($2.75M savings)
View Lorenzo Alexander's Contract Breakdown
Eric Wood, OC
An unfortunate neck injury has ended Wood's 9-year football career. It appears the Bills will wait until after June 1st to place him on the Retired/Reserve list for cap purposes, while Buffalo also reportedly seeks to recoup some of his signing bonus. Wood's $4.8M salary for 2018 was guaranteed for injury. Should he not be able to pass a physical when the March 14th league year begins, the Bills will be on the hook for this payment (the salary fully guarantees on March 18th anyway).
Retirement Ramifications
Pre June 1st: $10.39M dead cap (-$1.76M savings)
Post June 1st: $8.225M dead cap ($150,000 savings), additional $2.16M in 2019 dead cap
View Eric Wood's Contract Breakdown
