Salary Cap Update: What If RFA Tenders Go Unsigned?
On March 4th, the Jets officially announced their RFA tenders for the upcoming season. Last week, it was announced that Eric Smith had signed his tender, although he is apparently the only one to have done so thus far. In reality, it’s not particularly newsworthy that he signed his tender. However, if a player was to not sign his tender, that would be more of an issue.
So what happens if an RFA does not sign his tender? Quoting myself from the comments:
If Leon doesn’t sign by June 15, I believe they can reduce his salary for the year to 110% of last year’s salary (ie from $1.8m to $600k). Obviously it makes no sense for him to allow this to happen, but remember who his agent is.
This rule does not affect Braylon, whose tender is based on 110% of salary already, but Tannenbaum did outline how important it would be for him to sign and attend.
One other possibility is that either could have their tender rescinded and become a UFA, which could feasibly happen if someone like Sharper was available.
Last but not least you have a trade, of course.
I’m hoping they both sign, but some RFAs will holdout all offseason and it won’t cost them much (if anything).
Essentially all this means is that Eric Smith signing his tender is only noteworthy insofar as it means he will probably be attending the voluntary offseason program. It also removes the option to revoke his tender, which would make him a UFA. Braylon Edwards is the one to watch, because Mike Tannenbaum has been very clear that he expects to see Braylon attend, if he wants a long term deal. Note that you can attend the workouts without signing the RFA tender first, though.
I spoke to Jason from the unofficial Jets cap site about this issue and he said he doesn’t expect Leon to sign and that Braylon was 50-50, adding:
I think on June 1st the Jets have to extend the offer to the RFAs who have not signed which officially makes them the exclusive property of the Jets. On June 15 they have the option to withdraw the offer and make the 110% tender to retain the rights, which would hurt Leon tremendously. It should not affect Braylon, though he might lose the kicker he gets for being a 5th year RFA, which I doubt he cares about.
Kellen Clemens, James Ihedigbo, Brad Smith, Wayne Hunter and Drew Coleman also have (apparently) unsigned tenders. The deadline for offer sheets is less than 4 weeks away.
21 Responses to Salary Cap Update: What If RFA Tenders Go Unsigned?
-
Wolf says:
We don’t need Leon. Get rid of him and draft Golden Tate.
These rules are blasphemous, BTW
-
charlie says:
I say keep LEON.
-
Tom in Raleigh says:
Leon’s situation is a funny one. There is no guarantee that we will see him return to form on that mangled leg of his.
I want to see them get D-Line help and the WR help. A good running back can be had in the later rounds…especially behind our o-line because a back doesn’t need to make their own yards all of the time.
-
I forgot to add that Edwards needs to get his sheet signed and then get into camp.
-
Jets4life says:
I say we trade leon for a second rounder and draft golden Tate in the first round then with the second rounder we got for leon we draft ricky sapp then with other second rounder we get either Jonathan dywer or tony gerhart
-
Bent says:
It’s not as simple as “Get rid of him” because there would need to be another team that was interested first. I haven’t heard any interest from anyone so far, after that 49ers rumor was debunked. Unless you’re suggesting they just cut him, which seems a bit irrational.
“These rules are blasphemous, BTW”
I don’t understand this comment. Note, these rules have nothing to do with the final 8 rules or the uncapped year, this is always the case with RFAs (although, granted, there are more of those because of the uncapped rules).
-
NC Jets says:
I feel pretty sure Leon will be back. I don’t think any team wants to gamble on him after his injury.
Golden Tate would be great but D-line is a priority, Douglas is gone and Ellis is aging. A recieiver next would be a logical choice. I am not sold on Braylon, first his drops were ridiculous, second the old Braylon started to creep out at the end of the season with his comments to the media. I’m sure it will only get worse. I don’t see Braylon playing for the Jets more than one more year.
-
Harlan Lachman says:
Bent, no interest from anyone for Keels six million dollar back? And with him only costing a second round pick (regardless of how late in the round the pick is)?
Could Alvin have done more damage to his charge? Methinks not?
If the reports are true, Leon could already be a millionaire, without having to worry about his recovery.
It would be like Alvin to not have Leon sign it by June 15th. Why anyone chooses this bozo as his agent is beyond me.
Why Leon has not fired him… perhaps Alvin has pictures…
Harlan
-
Still amazes me that Keels gets clients…..but as Bent mentioned it must be those bangin pool parties he throws
-
^^^^ I follow Leon’s wife on twitter. She mentioned before that she was the one who liked Keels and chose him as Leon’s agent.
-
Bent says:
Yes, apparently she has made some “I wish people would get off his back” type comments in the past too.
Most of us do have Leon’s best interests at heart though!
-
greatnamathsghost says:
Curious why they are letting Brad Smith hang in the breeze — what’s up with that?
-
Bent says:
There’s not a lot they can do with Brad Smith. The offer has been made, but it’s up to him when he signs it. The fact he hasn’t yet doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem, he probably just hasn’t got round to filing the paperwork yet.
-
Jetsfan29 says:
On the Leon subject, if we keep him cool if not it’s ok don’t forget about woodhead! He showed us a thing or two last year!
-
are-tee says:
If it’s true that the Jets offered Leon $4.5 million per year last year, then he could have earned $9 million for 2009-2010, versus the $450K he actually earned last year and the $1.8 million he stands to earn this year if he signs his tender. That’s a difference of $6.75 million. What kind of contract would another team have to offer him to make that up?
-
Bent says:
I don’t think it is true that they offered him that. They never had any reason to increase his 2009 money and couldn’t easily have afforded to with a tight cap situation. I believe the main sticking point was not, as reported, the amount of money, but rather that the Keels camp wanted the extension to kick in at that time.
-
fattyboomboom says:
Bent ur right my man., the Jets offered circa 20 Mill plus over 4 years, starting 2010, but keels obiously wanted his cut right away
The Jets moved there postion several times is that contract neg. closer to what they wanted but this Fud of an agent wouldn’t move one inch
I just feel sorry for leon and all the money this will cost him, he’s a gret player for us, saying that if someone offered a second in this draft i’d just all over it
-
Bent says:
That’s what was reported, but to be honest we have no way of knowing how accurate the sources were that provided those numbers to the beatwriters. I said at the time, I thought it was strange that they were supposedly quibbling over the yearly salary when the really important numbers are the guaranteed money.
For example, do you think Keels would turn down 20m deal over five years with 18m guaranteed, in order to accept a 25m deal over five years with 1m guaranteed?
On second thoughts, don’t answer that.
-
rusty sanchez says:
this whole leon thing is a mess and nothing is going to happen trade or resign until leon gets back on the field so we all gonna have to wait til then…but i feel right now the jets got the upperhand unless leons leg healed like that kids arm from rookie of the year???
-
Jets-Fan-4-Life says:
Leon must hate himself for trusting Keels after getting talked into turning down the Jets final offer of $5 mill last season.
If Leon doesn’t drop this guy soon I’ll put my money on Tanny letting Leon walk due to the injury.
Lets trade Leon to the Rams for their 3rd and 6th. We need depth they need a backup RB.