Why the Titans can't play the salary cap game the Rams are dominating
The Los Angeles Rams are printing money this offseason. At least it feels that way. The Rams have found a loophole in the NFL’s salary cap that has helped the team reel in prized free agents all while being able to keep elite homegrown talent in place. This offseason the Rams have signed DT Aaron […]
The Los Angeles Rams are printing money this offseason. At least it feels that way. The Rams have found a loophole in the NFL’s salary cap that has helped the team reel in prized free agents all while being able to keep elite homegrown talent in place.
This offseason the Rams have signed DT Aaron Donald, WR Cooper Kupp, LB Bobby Wagner, and WR Allen Robinson. The team also dished out a $60 million bonus to QB Matthew Stafford. Not to mention, CB Jalen Ramsey’s five-year deal worth $100 million, including $71 million guaranteed.
So, how can they afford to stay under the salary cap with all of these big contracts coming through at once?
The game the Rams are playing is cash over cap. How it works is by prorating signing bonus dollars throughout the length of each player’s deal. Even if that includes voided years at the end of the contract.
Tom Pelissero does a great job explaining the ins and outs of this particular strategy on Good Morning Football.
The cash over cap philosophy is well explained by Andrew Brandt on the Pat McAfee Show in the clip below. He explains how the Rams were able to pay Stafford $61.5 million this season with a salary cap hit of just $13.5 million.
Why the Titans can’t play cash over cap like the Rams
Stan Kroenke is the fourth richest owner in the NFL, carrying a reported net worth of $10.7 billion, per Pro Football Network. The three teams listed ahead of Kroenke and the Rams are the Chiefs, Panthers, and Seahawks.
Kroenke is able to pay players cash through prorated signing bonuses due to his deep pockets, manipulating the salary cap. Keeping cap hits low while shelling out massive contracts is a tactic that some of the NFL’s most wealthy owners are able to employ.
Amy Adams Strunk checks in as the 25th richest owner in the NFL with her net worth reported to be $1.3 billion, per Pro Football Network. Though Strunk does not have the financial advantages that Kroenke possesses, she is still able to invest her money back into the Titans' franchise.
Since taking over as controlling owner in 2015, she has upgraded and expanded the team facilities, signed players to big money contracts, extensions, and restructures. Plus, being heavily involved in a plan for a new Titans stadium in Nashville.
Strunk is doing what she can with the finances she has available to her. The difference between what the Rams can do with the salary cap versus what the Titans can do is attributed to the $9+ billion gap between the two owners' net worths.
Featured image via Christopher Hanewinckel – USA TODAY Sports
