One man’s plan for 2026

[Kray007]

The Colts, currently, have 27 projected free agents, next year. But, most of them are of the nickel and dime variety, so we’ll ignore them for now, and worry about signing them after the dust settles.

They’re currently slated to have something like $49 Million in cap space, and it seems inevitable that that number will increase after the league makes adjustments. They just sold the NFL network to ESPN, and it’ll be interesting to see how the league and players hash out how much of the deal is credited to league revenue.

The only free agents I prioritize signing to new deals are Jones, Braden Smith, Alec Pierce, Nick Cross, and, maybe Pratt. By backloading contracts, I can probably get those deals done for a combined cap hit of somewhere around $41 to $46 Million

$15-20 for Jones
$8 to Smith
$11 to Pierce
$7 to Cross.

That leaves me with right around $5 Million.

So, I restructure or resign Buckner, lowering his cap hit down from $26 Million to $10. A lot depends on my willingness to commit to a 32 year old player, no matter how good.
Sign Pittman to a new deal that lowers his hit from $29 Million to $9
Ditto Q, lowering his number by $14 Million.

That frees up $50 Million in cap space, increasing it to $55 Million.

Use a chunk of that to sign Hendrickson, creating a nightmare scenario for Offensive coordinators.

If I’m feeling very adventurous, I then turn to Linebacker Devin Lloyd who’s been lights out in Jacksonville. If he’s unavailable, i shake the bushes for a productive linebacker who’s willing to take less in exchange for the chance to play for Anarumo and a ring.

Nab the best Linebacker I can find in round 2, even if it means I have to trade up.

Barring injury, that would make them prohibitive favorites to walk away with a Lombardi in 2027.

[YDFL Commish]

Originally Posted by Kray007

The Colts, currently, have 27 projected free agents, next year. But, most of them are of the nickel and dime variety, so we’ll ignore them for now, and worry about signing them after the dust settles.

They’re currently slated to have something like $49 Million in cap space, and it seems inevitable that that number will increase after the league makes adjustments. They just sold the NFL network to ESPN, and it’ll be interesting to see how the league and players hash out how much of the deal is credited to league revenue.

The only free agents I prioritize signing to new deals are Jones, Braden Smith, Alec Pierce, Nick Cross, and, maybe Pratt. By backloading contracts, I can probably get those deals done for a combined cap hit of somewhere around $41 to $46 Million

$15-20 for Jones
$8 to Smith
$11 to Pierce
$7 to Cross.

That leaves me with right around $5 Million.

So, I restructure or resign Buckner, lowering his cap hit down from $26 Million to $10. A lot depends on my willingness to commit to a 32 year old player, no matter how good.
Sign Pittman to a new deal that lowers his hit from $29 Million to $9
Ditto Q, lowering his number by $14 Million.

That frees up $50 Million in cap space, increasing it to $55 Million.

Use a chunk of that to sign Hendrickson, creating a nightmare scenario for Offensive coordinators.

If I’m feeling very adventurous, I then turn to Linebacker Devin Lloyd who’s been lights out in Jacksonville. If he’s unavailable, i shake the bushes for a productive linebacker who’s willing to take less in exchange for the chance to play for Anarumo and a ring.

Nab the best Linebacker I can find in round 2, even if it means I have to trade up.

Barring injury, that would make them prohibitive favorites to walk away with a Lombardi in 2027.

Daniel Jones next contract will begin with a 40.

[Kray007]

Originally Posted by YDFL Commish

Daniel Jones next contract will begin with a 40.

It’ll be big, but not necessarily in the front end. Joe Burrow’s first year cap hit was only $19 Million. Jordan Love’s was 20. Trevor Lawrence 15. To get those low numbers, you have to guarantee a lot and face higher cap hits at the tail end. If you go to him with an offer of $275 Million with $225 Million guaranteed, he’ll be happy to sign even if the first year cap hit is small…especially if he thinks that you’ll use the cap space on an elite pass rusher.

[YDFL Commish]

Originally Posted by Kray007

It’ll be big, but not necessarily in the front end. Joe Burrow’s first year cap hit was only $19 Million. Jordan Love’s was 20. Trevor Lawrence 15. To get those low numbers, you have to guarantee a lot and face higher cap hits at the tail end.

True, it just depends on what each party is comfortable with. A front loaded contract or a back loaded contract.

[Hoopsdoc]

Originally Posted by YDFL Commish

Daniel Jones next contract will begin with a 40.

Ehhh, let’s let things play out before we make that assumption. Jones has played WAY above his career trajectory so far this year. The Steichen effect has to be considered, but it’s still quite a rare thing for a guy to suddenly become really good after 6 years of being mediocre.

I think the JT effect has a huge part in this as well. Who knows how good Jones will be if/when defenses no longer have to worry about JT taking it 80 yards to the house.

Last Sunday was far closer to what Jones has been his entire career than the early part of this year. That’s just the reality.

[Oldcolt]

Jones is a middling QB on a great team. He is a competent QB and should be paid like one. He isn't worth being paid what Mahome/Burrow etc get. They can carry a team themselves, they done need as high talent around them as Jones does. We need money to supplement his supporting cast but he still deserves a large contract. With the top QBs now getting 50-60 million a year 35-40 million would be an team friendly deal I would think

[Kray007]

Originally Posted by Oldcolt

Jones is a middling QB on a great team. He is a competent QB and should be paid like one. He isn't worth being paid what Mahome/Burrow etc get. They can carry a team themselves, they done need as high talent around them as Jones does. We need money to supplement his supporting cast but he still deserves a large contract. With the top QBs now getting 50-60 million a year 35-40 million would be an team friendly deal I would think

Jacoby Brissett
Brian Hoyer
Phillip Rivers
Carson Wentz
Matt Ryan
Sam Ellinger
Nick Foles
Gardner Minshew
Anthony Richardson
Joe Flacco

Personally, I don’t want to spend the next quarter century stumbling along from one 6-11 season to another, trying to strike gold at the quarterback position. I don’t want to toss aside a top ten talent because there’s glitter in the dreck and we’ve just hired a coach who thinks he can polish a tuurd into a pearl.

You don’t try to nickel and dime your way at Quarterback. If you find one who can play, you say a silent prayer of thanks to the football deities and pay him.