Nah, not next year. JSN counts only $10M against the cap this year. He will count $15M next year. So Puka's will be similar for his first few years. They can ramp up the cap hits once Stafford is off the books. It's one advantage of having Simpson on a cheap deal for 4 more years.
With about $75M in cap space next year, before any restructures or releases, they shouldn't have an issue keeping who they want.
And I would expect a year where it's about keeping their own and not going outside for big additions. That's unless they are players who are released, thus they don't affect the comp formula. That way the guys who they do let walk, should return much needed comp picks for 28'.
Yea I addressed that though.....that's one of the benefits of an extension. It doesn't kick in until 2028....the years you're citing are years he was already under contract. So while the reported contract was 4 years $168 million, from now until the end of that contract its actually 6 years $195 million
If you wanted to look at what Puka's cap hit would be next year in JSN's situation, you would have to look at 2028 for JSN (first year of the extension kicking in) - and that number is $32.9 million.
The franchise tag right now is $28 million for receiver, probably low 30s next year. So it would be the same or we would save, on THAT cap number ($32.9 million).
But.....JSN didn't have much leverage. He had both his 4th year left, and then his 5th year option. So in extension talks, Seattle had that leverage to fall back on. "We can extend you now for this much or you can wait"....zero stress for Seattle in that discussion.
We......will not have ANY leverage whatsoever, outside of his off field/injury issues. But the Cardinals, Titans, Dolphins, whoever aren't going to give a fuck about that. They are going to have more money to spend than they know what to do with and will salivate at a 26 year old ELITE receiver hitting free agency.
It is a really simple equation.....Puka's representation will have a number in mind or they will test free agency, and then we will have no choice but to tag him.
