The Colts QB in 2021 is?...

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by Dam8610

As seen above, guarantees on a player contract must be absorbed by the trading team. Thus, as previously stated, the Colts would have Wentz on a guarantee free contract, and could easily restructure it by offering him some guarantees instead of none. I'd be happy with only trading a 3 to get him, but certainly would take him for less.

Guys, maybe it’s just because it’s late, but you’re losing me here. You’ve cited a couple large chunks of CBA language, a hefty portion of which doesn't relate to our discussion, and you don’t highlight the precise portions you are relying upon. Nevertheless, I reviewed that language and I remain confused - how do the sections you’ve cited not say exactly what I’ve been telling you? Yes, in a trade scenario (or in a release scenario, for that matter) signing bonuses are telescoped into that cap year. In Wentz’s case, this would include the remaining prorated portion of his $16.3M signing bonus (~$9.8M) and the remaining prorated portion of his $30M option bonus ($24M). This is the $34M I spoke of. In your calculation of the $34M, it appears you excluded his (fully paid) signing bonus, but included his (unpaid) 2021 roster bonus for some reason. That’s the first issue I see.

Second, where does any of this say that a trade would deliver Wentz‘s contract to the Colts “stripped of all guarantees” as you stated in Post 93 above? That’s what throws me the most. Wentz’s contract includes a number of guarantees that you’re not mentioning – including his now fully vested and guaranteed 2021 salary ($15.4M) and roster bonus ($10M), and the unvested guarantees relating to his 2022 salary ($22M) and roster bonus ($5M). Are you suggesting that Wentz would somehow forfeit these if the Eagles decide to trade him? I think he’d file a lawsuit against his agent if this were the case. No, those guarantees would travel with Wentz to the Colts, and the Colts would assume responsibility for them (and all remaining contract terms) moving forward.

Third, I am lost in your calculations – how do you get to a 4-year / $66M remaining contract “with 2 roster bonuses of $5 million being the only guarantees on the deal”? I know you have a calculation in mind, but I just can’t figure out what it is. As I read it, between 2021-2024, Wentz is scheduled to receive about $78M in salary and another $20M in roster bonuses (all of the other money has already been paid), so that adds up to $98M, not $66M. And given your earlier statement that all guarantees get stripped from the contract after a trade, how could there still be “2 roster bonuses of $5 million being the only guarantees on the deal”?

Fourth, if the Eagles were responsible for all guarantees in Wentz’s contract upon a trade, the cap hit would be almost $60M, not $34M as you state – the same as an outright release. This would include the $34M mentioned above (for his signing bonus and option bonus), his 2021 fully guaranteed salary ($15.4M) and his 2021 fully guaranteed roster bonus ($10M). Again, this is not the case, and essentially highlights the distinction between the cap consequences upon release ($60M) and trade ($34M). Neither are good, but a trade is actually feasible and actually might save them a few bucks against their existing 2021 and 2022 cap totals (Remember, if he stays for the 2021 season, Wentz will count $34.6M against their cap AND by doing so they’ll trigger a $15M guarantee for 2022 as well).

Again, given the circumstances, I think the Eagles should have a very strong incentive to find a trade partner for Wentz, as they probably can't afford to cut him and while they'll feel pain no matter what in 2021, keeping him around will damage their 2022 cap as well. The acquiring team would be asked to take on a big cap number themselves too, along with the risk created by his recent poor performance. So a 6-7th rounder should be all that is necessary.

EDIT – I have learned since my original post is the “option” number mentioned in the contract payment chart is simply a prorated breakdown of a $30M “option bonus” provided to Wentz at the outset of the contract. This is money already in his pocket, but per the CBA rules you cited, is spread across the entire length of the contract for cap purposes.