NFC North Salary Cap Situation - Team-by-Team

by Dustin J Quarrella on Feb 9, 2012 8:21 PM EST

The Detroit Lions aren't the only team in the NFC North facing a tight squeeze in terms of the salary cap.

Kevin Seifert, ESPN NFC North beat writer, laid out the numbers in a recent entry. "The following is how much each team currently has committed to its 2012 cap. Keep in mind that the numbers probably will change between now and March 13 as teams re-sign, re-negotiate and release players from their rosters," Seifert wrote. Unfortunately, the Chicago Bears appear to be on solid ground, and are rumored to be in the market for either Robert Meachem or Vincent Jackson.

Chicago Bears: $101.8 million
Detroit Lions: $122.8 million
Green Bay Packers: $115.3 million
Minnesota Vikings: $115.3 million

As of now, the salary cap is right around $120 million, and isn't expected to significantly fluctuate. It will be interesting to see how the Lions maneuver the cap and sign free agents, retain their own, and bring in a new draft class. Martin Mayhew and Tom Lewand clearly have their work cut for them.

ROAR.

By: Dustin J Quarrella

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pride of Detroit or its writers. FanPosts are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable fans.

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In my opinion

I love Calvin Johnson but if he wants a contract to match Fitzgerald I hope your ready for another decade of mediocrity. That contract would average 15mil per year. If he’s worth 15 mil per year surely Stafford will be too. So two players get 30mil per season. That means 2 players are 25% of our cap. So 75% of the money is left for 52 other guys? Not sound finances to me. Bilichek wouldn’t do it and neither should we. I really hope these guys take a lesson from the Red Wings and decide being champions is more important or we’re all going to watch guys like Suh, Young, Delmas, and Fairley leave because we won’t even be able to half what other teams would be willing to pay them in a few years.

by MonteCarlo7888 on Feb 12, 2012 2:58 AM EST reply actions

How about over Fitz

I have setup a contract that will pay him over Fitz salary by a per year status. Now before folks say how is it possible, remember that salary can increase over the contract term.

What it comes down is he gets a 9 year extension that gives us 10 more years with him. That in turn would pay him 180 million with 80 million in signing and roster bonuses. I would add to it a 1 million bonus if he tops the list for yards, touchdowns, or receptions. Now as to How I go about doing it its simple. Add more money at the back end. The final 5 years are 21 to 24 million a year. Now some will say why not cut Calvin before the roster bonus. Well all I have to say is if he is the best WR then he should be able to last until then. Plus there is the little caveat of how much cap space is around until 2014. So given that we have 2 years of low then the remaining 8 years at higher numbers it should be no issue. Frankly I do like the contract I put together. Its good for Calvin and its good for the Lions.

by MisterEK on Feb 13, 2012 3:11 PM EST up reply actions

I agree with MisterEK

There is a clear path that the Lions can follow in order to lock up CJ for the remainder of his prime years and lower his cap hit for the next two seasons. That is when the Lions are tight under the cap because there will be roughly a $50 million rise to the cap in the 2014 league year. After that, the Lions can afford to pay him quite a bit more.

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by TuffLynx on Feb 14, 2012 4:22 AM EST up reply actions

I might have missed something

but the Bears still have to get Forte signed and that wont be cheap for them. If they franchise him and the franchise tag is based on the top 5 rb’s in the league then the Bears will be looking at around 9 mil a year for Forte. That puts them right up there with everyone else.

They did it for Savy, they did it for Horton, they did it for each other, they did it for us. I give you the 2011 Stanley Cup Champions....The Boston Bruins!!

My Lions lost to the Saints who are clearly the better team. (This is what happens when you back your team and they lose),

by beachguy113 on Feb 13, 2012 10:30 PM EST reply actions