Cap Space & Extending Brissett

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by VeveJones007

The bold is basically what I'm saying. I'll just throw out this deal as an example so you know what I'm talking about:

5 years (2019-2023), $100MM, $50MM guaranteed
-2019: $35MM (fully guaranteed)
-2020: $20MM ($15MM guaranteed)
-2021-2023: $18.3MM per year ($0 guaranteed)

A deal like this would give Brissett a ton of money upfront, while also protecting the team in case he sucks (cut after 2020 or 2021) or is good enough to extend (major savings in 2021-2023 vs what he could potentially cost). The only real cost is the huge 2019 cap hit, but the team has a ton of room anyway. Even if they think Brissett turns out to be a 2020 stopgap, he would be cheaper under this deal than the franchise tag in 2020 ($25MM).

Sorry, but I just can’t see this happening. Ballard’s built up a pretty good reputation during his short tenure in Indy, and if he signs an unproven Brissett to a contract paying him a guaranteed $35M next year I think people would start thinking he’s a lunatic. If Brissett surprises everyone and becomes a Pro Bowl QB next year, Ballard would be vindicated, but short of that he’d most likely end up looking like a fool.

I know its appealing to lock up a young player at a bargain price before he blossoms, but I think you need to be very judicious about which players you do this with. Paying Brissett that kind of money would essentially force us to commit to him as our most important player for the next two years, and I personally don’t see the track record to justify that and so, to me, it would just be reckless.