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Actually, I am torn on it. Not dead set against it. I really don't want to lose him. I kinda feel like either choice hurts in a different way.
Your earlier point about it winding up less outrageous over time I do find to be the most compelling argument for signing him.sigpic
In view of the fact that Mike Tomlin has matched Cowhers record I give him the designation:
TCFCLTC-
The Coach Formerly Considered Less Than CowherComment
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Ok, all very true, lets take a look at the numbers. I believe the cap next year is 208 million, lets call it 210 for easy math. And, lets say as Northern_Blitz states that the GM's job is to obtain and retain elite talent, that means Minkah stays. Watt's 30 million, Minkah's 15 million minimal and based on a very small sample size so far, Ben balls out and they pay him 15 million next year because he wants run his tank to completely empty before calling it a career. That's 60 million in 3 guys and leaves 150 million for 50 other players to round out the roster. That works out to be 3 million per player on average for the role players, is that even possible? If they start kicking this can down the road with restructures and converting salary to signing bonus there will come a time when they may be in a worse situation than they were this year.
It's not that I don't want Watt on the team, it's at "Watt" cost?
Pappysigpic
The 2025 Pittsburgh Steeler draft
1.21 - Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon - Nick Emmanwori, S, S. Carolina
3.83 - Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa - DJ Giddens, RB, Kans St
3.123 - Will Howard, QB, OSU
4.156 - JJ Pegues, DT, Ole Miss
5.185 - Clay Webb, OG, Jack St
7.229 - Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DT, Georgia
"Football is a physical game, well, it used to be anyways" - Mel BlountComment
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well, we have Claypool, Najee, Pat, Greene, Moore, Highsmith, Sutton and a few others on rookie contracts.Ok, all very true, lets take a look at the numbers. I believe the cap next year is 208 million, lets call it 210 for easy math. And, lets say as Northern_Blitz states that the GM's job is to obtain and retain elite talent, that means Minkah stays. Watt's 30 million, Minkah's 15 million minimal and based on a very small sample size so far, Ben balls out and they pay him 15 million next year because he wants run his tank to completely empty before calling it a career. That's 60 million in 3 guys and leaves 150 million for 50 other players to round out the roster. That works out to be 3 million per player on average for the role players, is that even possible? If they start kicking this can down the road with restructures and converting salary to signing bonus there will come a time when they may be in a worse situation than they were this year.
It's not that I don't want Watt on the team, it's at "Watt" cost?
Pappy
Say goodbye to most vets making decent money after this year.Steelers 27
Rats 16Comment
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I'm also not thrilled about it.
But it's a market level contract, and that's what UFAs sign for.
I think my general stance is going to be 3rd contracts that are huge are probably bad, but second contracts for guys that are actually elite are OK.
And Watt should have been DPOY this year (but not necessarily last year IMO).
In other words, I think I was more worried about Cam's deal last year...at least on principle. The sheer value of Watt's deal is what makes it scary. Because it's not unlikely that any NFL player will miss 1 year of a 5 year span. And that just sucks when the cap hit is big.Comment
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I think we have to remember that AAV isn't the same thing as cap hit.Ok, all very true, lets take a look at the numbers. I believe the cap next year is 208 million, lets call it 210 for easy math. And, lets say as Northern_Blitz states that the GM's job is to obtain and retain elite talent, that means Minkah stays. Watt's 30 million, Minkah's 15 million minimal and based on a very small sample size so far, Ben balls out and they pay him 15 million next year because he wants run his tank to completely empty before calling it a career. That's 60 million in 3 guys and leaves 150 million for 50 other players to round out the roster. That works out to be 3 million per player on average for the role players, is that even possible? If they start kicking this can down the road with restructures and converting salary to signing bonus there will come a time when they may be in a worse situation than they were this year.
It's not that I don't want Watt on the team, it's at "Watt" cost?
Pappy
Minkah's cap hit next year will probably be about what his 5th year option is (just like Watt's will remain close to the same this year).
And my guess is that Watt's 2nd year salary will be relatively high so we can convert it into SB in a restructure next year and free up some space.
It all comes due sometime (just like it has with Ben). But I don't think next year will be an issue.
But I think your post brings up an excellent point. Another big part of a GMs job is trying to time an optimal playoff window. I think that's the big think we got screwed on in the last few years with (1) Shazier getting injured, (2) Bell holding out, and (3) AB losing his mind. That meant that we sort of needed to rebuild both the O and the D in the last few years of Ben's career.
It's also the reason that I wanted to let Ben walk last year. Because I didn't think we'd have a legit shot at competing this year after seeing Ben at the end of last year (behind a poor line). But the Lions game has me optimistic that we might keep all the plates spinning for another season...Last edited by Northern_Blitz; 08-24-2021, 05:24 PM.Comment
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look a bit more at the bottom of the roster(s)
the steelers have 35 players making $2M or less right now. I don't think that will change much next year because they're either in rookie deals or veteran back ups. so with TJ, fitz and hopefully ben.... 38 players with $130 towards the cap
that leaves 15 players in between with $90M left for the cap. a bit ore feasable
and that's not uncommon for the league.
here's a random team i looked at. the chargers
33 players are playing at under 2M cap hit. their top 6 cap hits account for $86M.
that also includes herbert still being on a rookie deal
https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/los-angeles-chargers/
the 2 teams in the SB last year have 28 (KC) and 27 (TBB) players at or below $2M cap hitLast edited by NJ-STEELER; 08-24-2021, 07:50 PM.Comment
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That's good stuff NJS. Beyond the megadeals the Steelers have a few keys guys that are on one yr deals that will probably be above market average so they're going to need that room. JJSS, Ingram. plus Haden, Edmunds.
I go back to the fact that Colbert said they typically have a 3 yr plan they work to. Of course, ish happens so sometimes that plan has to be changed midstream but he's been doing it for so long I don't think they panic or make irrational moves.Comment
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How Colbert, Khan and the gang manage the cap is not a worry...they have been masters. Signing Watt won't hamstring us because I have no doubt there is a well thought out plan about who will be rolling off and when they come off the payroll. You have to figure that 3 years from now Ben will be gone, Cam will be gone, Tuitt will probably be gone. Out Off Line is dirt cheap right now. Our WR are affordable and we will have to let a couple go in a coupkle of years but we have never had an issue finding WRs. Minkah will command a big payday, but as I said before...IMO Watt is more importnat than Minkah and it s easier to find a good Safety than an elite pass rusher.
The key is we need to keep having draft classes like 2021 which looks to be a homerun.Last edited by Oviedo; 08-25-2021, 08:29 AM."My team, may they always be right, but right or wrong...MY TEAM!"Comment
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