Adjusted cap space for all teams. 142.9 Million to 168.4 Million

[Coach]

On Monday, the NFL announced that the salary cap for the 2015 season will be $143.28 million, although every team will have a different amount of money available to them.

Under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, teams have the option to carry over unused cap space from the 2014 season. The NFLPA has released a list of how much each team carried over from last season and their adjusted cap total for 2015.

Jaguars – $168,486,107 adjusted cap

Browns – $161,767,400 adjusted cap

Eagles – $159,872,378 adjusted cap

Jets – $156,149,394 adjusted cap

Titans – $154,353,578 adjusted cap

Dolphins – $152,926,937 adjusted cap

Colts – $152,423,392 adjusted cap

Bengals – $152,130,435 adjusted cap

Raiders – $151,872,756 adjusted cap

Packers – $151,471,106 adjusted cap

Broncos – $150,066,024 adjusted cap

49ers – $149,855,980 adjusted cap

Vikings – $149,627,960 adjusted cap

Panthers – $149,371,637 adjusted cap

Cowboys – $148,578,313 adjusted cap

Cardinals – $148,515,866 adjusted cap

Seahawks – $148,257,738 adjusted cap

Redskins – $146,591,745 adjusted cap

Falcons – $146,248,815 adjusted cap

Chiefs – $146,144,200 adjusted cap

Texans – $146,025,746 adjusted cap

Bills – $145,781,930 adjusted cap

Bears – $145,168,434 adjusted cap

Ravens – $145,131,127 adjusted cap

Saints – $145,092,430 adjusted cap

Buccaneers – $144,909,889 adjusted cap

Rams – $144,673,387 adjusted cap

Patriots – $144,578,084 adjusted cap

Lions – $144,317,991 adjusted cap

Steelers – $144,058,469 adjusted cap

Giants – $143,411,883 adjusted cap

Chargers – $142,972,612 adjusted cap (The Chargers carried over $1,500,00, but had their total adjusted downward because of a loss of $1,807,388 due to other adjustments)


The good news? We have more cap space.

The Bad news? 29 teams have more space then we do to sign free agents.

 

[GMC]

I thought the floor for cap spending was 89%. If so, how could a team carry over more than @ 15 million?

 

[deljzc]

I thought the floor for cap spending was 89%. If so, how could a team carry over more than @ 15 million?

It's complicated. The 89% team-by-team minimum is CASH ACCOUNTING and not CAP ACCOUNTING. Remember, those are two entirely different accounting methods.

The 89% is also a requirement over a FOUR-YEAR window first from 2013-2016 and then again from 2017-2020 (this 2nd window requires a 90% team minimum). Teams that have not spent enough cash so far through 2013-2014 now have some opportunities to spend more the next couple of seasons to catch up.

There is also a league wide 95% minimum threshold that is required over the same FOUR-SEASON increments (might be 98% minimum in the 2nd 4-year increment from 2017-2020).

Teams that violate the "floor" (checked after the 2016 season) could be penalized with fines, cancellation of contracts and/or loss of draft picks.

If the LEAGUE-wide "floor" is not reached, then I think adjustment to the salary cap value in future years will be the result with some degree of penalty.

 

[Coach]

It's complicated. The 89% team-by-team minimum is CASH ACCOUNTING and not CAP ACCOUNTING. Remember, those are two entirely different accounting methods.

The 89% is also a requirement over a FOUR-YEAR window first from 2013-2016 and then again from 2017-2020 (this 2nd window requires a 90% team minimum). Teams that have not spent enough cash so far through 2013-2014 now have some opportunities to spend more the next couple of seasons to catch up.

There is also a league wide 95% minimum threshold that is required over the same FOUR-SEASON increments (might be 98% minimum in the 2nd 4-year increment from 2017-2020).

Teams that violate the "floor" (checked after the 2016 season) could be penalized with fines, cancellation of contracts and/or loss of draft picks.

If the LEAGUE-wide "floor" is not reached, then I think adjustment to the salary cap value in future years will be the result with some degree of penalty.

Why are we always at the bottom in terms of cap space? I see two main reasons.



1 ) We keep expensive vets on the decline too long



2 ) We over pay players like Cortez Allen, and Mike Mitchell.



Who was the last really good veteran free agent we signed that came from another team? Maybe James Farrior? How long ago was that? 2002!



Among the top 15 teams in cap space for 2015, 8 of them made the playoffs in 2014.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Colbert and Kahn, seriously look at their bank accounts...........................



Salute the nation

 

[insaniti]

Why are we always at the bottom in terms of cap space? I see two main reasons.



1 ) We keep expensive vets on the decline too long



2 ) We over pay players like Cortez Allen, and Mike Mitchell.



Who was the last really good veteran free agent we signed that came from another team? Maybe James Farrior? How long ago was that? 2002!



Among the top 15 teams in cap space for 2015, 8 of them made the playoffs in 2014.

Clark, and Cotchery come to mind. I'm also not sure how a 5m a year contract for Mitchell is overpaying. He's had one year with us so far, our CB's were a mess, our DL wasn't much better, but he was somehow supposed to be the savior and fix everything. He played pretty well towards the end of the year. Too quick to judge on a pretty average contract.

 

[GMC]

It's complicated. The 89% team-by-team minimum is CASH ACCOUNTING and not CAP ACCOUNTING. Remember, those are two entirely different accounting methods.

The 89% is also a requirement over a FOUR-YEAR window first from 2013-2016 and then again from 2017-2020 (this 2nd window requires a 90% team minimum). Teams that have not spent enough cash so far through 2013-2014 now have some opportunities to spend more the next couple of seasons to catch up.

There is also a league wide 95% minimum threshold that is required over the same FOUR-SEASON increments (might be 98% minimum in the 2nd 4-year increment from 2017-2020).

Teams that violate the "floor" (checked after the 2016 season) could be penalized with fines, cancellation of contracts and/or loss of draft picks.

If the LEAGUE-wide "floor" is not reached, then I think adjustment to the salary cap value in future years will be the result with some degree of penalty.

That makes a little more sense. Thanks for the explanation.

 

[deljzc]

We have been against the cap consistently between 2009-2013 for a couple of reasons:

1. The team had a predominantly veteran presence and was built to "win now".
2. The team was carrying a franchise quarterback salary
3. The M.O. of the Steelers has always been to borrow from Paul (future years) to pay for Peter (this year). That methodology backfired during the "flat cap" era of 2010 to 2012. The front office (Colbert/Kahn particularly) was not prepared for a flat cap.
4. The Steelers played the "good soldier" and did not take advantage of the uncapped 2010 season by structuring contracts that could have used 2010 as a salary cap "dump". This was collusion on the sides of ownership that was "unwritten" and they ended up penalizing Dallas and Washington for (but didn't penalize many teams that structured contracts favorably in a capless season like Atlanta).
5. We made a lot of mistakes with offensive line contracts dating back to 2007. Mahan, Simmons, Kemoeatu, Colon and Starks didn't make it more than half way through their long-term deals before being released. That's a LOT of dead money to deal with when you only play 2/4 or 2/5 or 3/5 years on a long term deal - especially for guys in their 20's.
6. Restructuring backfired on Woodley's deal.

Between 2013 to 2014 to 2015 things are starting to get back to normal and you are seeing Colbert/Kahn start to get back to having at least some cap room to play with and be creative. We will likely never be a team with $40 million in cap room. Not with Roethlisberger. But we should be a team with $15 million after restructures and releases to fill in roster spots as needed before the draft.

That's just what we are.

 

[SteelBuckeye]

So, are you saying that the sky ISN'T falling Del? Because listening to and reading the media reports, it's easy to see where folks would get the idea that the Steelers never have any cap room and are DOOOOMED! lol

 

[Coach]

We have been against the cap consistently between 2009-2013 for a couple of reasons:

1. The team had a predominantly veteran presence and was built to "win now".
2. The team was carrying a franchise quarterback salary
3. The M.O. of the Steelers has always been to borrow from Paul (future years) to pay for Peter (this year). That methodology backfired during the "flat cap" era of 2010 to 2012. The front office (Colbert/Kahn particularly) was not prepared for a flat cap.
4. The Steelers played the "good soldier" and did not take advantage of the uncapped 2010 season by structuring contracts that could have used 2010 as a salary cap "dump". This was collusion on the sides of ownership that was "unwritten" and they ended up penalizing Dallas and Washington for (but didn't penalize many teams that structured contracts favorably in a capless season like Atlanta).
5. We made a lot of mistakes with offensive line contracts dating back to 2007. Mahan, Simmons, Kemoeatu, Colon and Starks didn't make it more than half way through their long-term deals before being released. That's a LOT of dead money to deal with when you only play 2/4 or 2/5 or 3/5 years on a long term deal - especially for guys in their 20's.
6. Restructuring backfired on Woodley's deal.

Between 2013 to 2014 to 2015 things are starting to get back to normal and you are seeing Colbert/Kahn start to get back to having at least some cap room to play with and be creative. We will likely never be a team with $40 million in cap room. Not with Roethlisberger. But we should be a team with $15 million after restructures and releases to fill in roster spots as needed before the draft.

That's just what we are.

I agree with much of what you said. But we are not a win now mode and have't been for the past three years. A super bowl appearance is far away, and with a brutal schedule next year, I just don't see it. Our defense needs a complete overhaul.

As I pointed out 8 of the top 15 teams with cap space made the playoffs. We rank 29th in terms of adjusted cap space. Having $15 million in cap space sounds like a lot until Ben get a new deal. Then we will be last in cap space again with Beachum, DeCastro, and 4 DL players up next year to re-sign.

The pressure will be on Colbert and Tomlin to come up with an impact draft...because we aren't going to sign any impact free agents. Who was the last really good free agent we signed? Maybe Farrior and that was many years ago.

 

[deljzc]

Of the top-10 teams on the list above only the Packers have a franchise quarterback (I think the Bengals paid Dalton but it was the first cheap season of his deal). And I'm not sure the Packers are into the "meat" of Rodgers new deal yet either. Everyone else on the list is in the midst of either no franchise quarterback or a quarterback with the new "rookie deal values".

The difference in money from #11 to #30 is only $6 million or 4%. Most of the league is spending their cap space - consistently year-in, year-out. Those that are struggling with rookie quarterbacks are being careful not to overspend on other positions to make up the difference - especially when they have little chance to win it all AND the money carries over year-to-year for when you do need it.

 

[Spike]

The Bad news? 29 teams have more space then we do to sign free agents.

We never win bidding wars anyway

draft or bust

 

[steelhurt]

I agree with much of what you said. But we are not a win now mode and have't been for the past three years. A super bowl appearance is far away, and with a brutal schedule next year, I just don't see it. Our defense needs a complete overhaul.

As I pointed out 8 of the top 15 teams with cap space made the playoffs. We rank 29th in terms of adjusted cap space. Having $15 million in cap space sounds like a lot until Ben get a new deal. Then we will be last in cap space again with Beachum, DeCastro, and 4 DL players up next year to re-sign.

The pressure will be on Colbert and Tomlin to come up with an impact draft...because we aren't going to sign any impact free agents. Who was the last really good free agent we signed? Maybe Farrior and that was many years ago.

Resigning Ben to an extension will lower his cap hit in 2015.

 

[swal75]

It's complicated. The 89% team-by-team minimum is CASH ACCOUNTING and not CAP ACCOUNTING. Remember, those are two entirely different accounting methods.

The 89% is also a requirement over a FOUR-YEAR window first from 2013-2016 and then again from 2017-2020 (this 2nd window requires a 90% team minimum). Teams that have not spent enough cash so far through 2013-2014 now have some opportunities to spend more the next couple of seasons to catch up.

There is also a league wide 95% minimum threshold that is required over the same FOUR-SEASON increments (might be 98% minimum in the 2nd 4-year increment from 2017-2020).

Teams that violate the "floor" (checked after the 2016 season) could be penalized with fines, cancellation of contracts and/or loss of draft picks.

If the LEAGUE-wide "floor" is not reached, then I think adjustment to the salary cap value in future years will be the result with some degree of penalty.

There are 10 teams under the 89% floor right now and according to Clayton, we are one of them. I would assume a new deal for Ben takes us well above the rolling average, but Clayton didn't break down the exact figures. I could surmise that we are under 89% because our large deals with Woodley, Timmons and Ben pre-date the new CBA?

 

[deljzc]

There are 10 teams under the 89% floor right now and according to Clayton, we are one of them. I would assume a new deal for Ben takes us well above the rolling average, but Clayton didn't break down the exact figures. I could surmise that we are under 89% because our large deals with Woodley, Timmons and Ben pre-date the new CBA?

I'll look at our cash accounting over 2013 and 2014 and see what that says tomorrow. Remember, only 2013-2016 (as a total) count in this so-called "89% floor". And we are talking CASH spent, not cap dollars.

I agree, I see no way a new Roethlisberger deal which will likely pay him possibly $40 million + in the first two seasons (2015 and 2016) won't immediately get us to the Cash floor threshold.

 

[deljzc]

According to my research, the Steelers have spent a little over $250 million in salary/bonuses in 2013 and 2014. The salary cap for 2013 and 2014 total $256 million. So based just on those two seasons we've easily reached the 89% threshold.

Maybe Clayton is projecting 2015 into the mix. As of today we only have a projected $92 million in salary/bonuses this year.