Suisham signed a contract that takes him through the 2018 season, and he now has to battle back from an ACL injury that will take him out this entire year. Next year who knows if he can return to form? I've been running the numbers and they create a very tough situation:
If the Steelers cut Suisham, they are on the hook for $2.28 Mil in prorated signing bonus amounts through 2018. I assume that amount can either be lump summed in one year or spread out over 2. Either way, this is what the Steelers save in salary, by year, making the cut:
2015 $3.095M
2016 $2.4M
2017 $2.4M
2018 $2.4M
Total $10.295M minus the prorated amount of $2.28M is a net savings of $8.015M
If all the dead money is taken this year, there is still $815K left, which probably is enough to employ Hartley.
So with a net gain this season and an extra $2.4M for each of the next 3 years, do you make the cut and use that money on a position player, or to resign someone?
Decisions, Decisions...
If the Steelers cut Suisham, they are on the hook for $2.28 Mil in prorated signing bonus amounts through 2018. I assume that amount can either be lump summed in one year or spread out over 2. Either way, this is what the Steelers save in salary, by year, making the cut:
2015 $3.095M
2016 $2.4M
2017 $2.4M
2018 $2.4M
Total $10.295M minus the prorated amount of $2.28M is a net savings of $8.015M
If all the dead money is taken this year, there is still $815K left, which probably is enough to employ Hartley.
So with a net gain this season and an extra $2.4M for each of the next 3 years, do you make the cut and use that money on a position player, or to resign someone?
Decisions, Decisions...
