There's a lot of chatter among fans and media about the possibility of the New York Jets reworking D'Brickashaw Ferguson's contract to create more salary-cap room. His $14.1 million cap charge jumps off the page, making him an obvious candidate, but the Jets haven't approached him (yet) and here's why:
They're not facing a financially driven deadline.
In cases like this, the team often has to make a decision on the player and his contract early in the league year (which begins Wednesday), when roster bonuses typically are paid. The deadline forces both sides to the bargaining table before money changes hands. Once the team doles out a nice-sized roster bonus, it loses its leverage. (It should be noted, however, that Darrelle Revis was traded in 2013 after receiving a $1 million roster bonus from the Jets, but that was unusual.)
Ferguson has a total of $1.75 million in bonus money this offseason, but none of it is due immediately. It includes a $750,000 workout bonus (June) and a $1 million roster bonus payable upon the completion of training camp. As you can see, there's no sense of urgency for the Jets -- unless, of course, they're desperate for cap room, which they might be.
The Jets could try to slow-play the Ferguson situation, waiting until after the first wave of free agency to approach him. By then, there will be fewer job opportunities around the league, creating leverage for the team in any negotiations with their longtime left tackle.
Ferguson has an $8.625 million base salary, plus the $1.75 million in bonuses, plus a $3.7 million pro-ration charge on an old signing bonus. It adds up to $14.1 million, the highest cap charge for an offensive lineman in the NFL. The ideal scenario for the Jets would be a straight pay cut, which would lower his cap charge without adding money into 2017, the final year of the contract. Whether Ferguson agrees is another story.
The Jets would save $9.1 million by releasing Ferguson, but they'd be cutting off their nose to spite their face. He may not be what he was, but the future Ring of Honor member still is a solid left tackle. The Jets also don't have a replacement on campus.