Some cap math on DJ's release

[MightyGiants]

Tom Pelissero
@TomPelissero
Some cap math ...

Daniel Jones was due $30.5 million in 2025 with a $41.605M cap number. But the #Giants owe him no more cash beyond this season if they release (or trade) him before March 16, when $12M of his $23M injury guarantee would convert to a full guarantee.

If they trade him, or cut him without a post-June 1 designation, they'd carry a $22.21 million dead cap hit in 2025. Savings on 2025 cap: $19.395M.

If they cut him with a post-June 1 designation, they'd carry a $11.105M dead cap hit in 2025 and 2026. Savings on 2025 cap: $30.5M.

https://x.com/TomPelissero/status/1858561943977836701

[EDjohnst1981]

So the post-June cut looks best for the team.

Is there a problem with taking that approach, save for DJ having fewer opportunities as back-up positions will be filled in Free Agency?

[MightyGiants]

As for the 2025 salary cap situation, the Giants is middle of the pack with $42.3 million.  However, they only have 37 players on their 2025 roster as of today.  Their effective cap space (per Over the Cap adding a full roster) is $23.5 which puts them at 19th in effective cap space.  Releasing DJ and not using that release to borrow 2026 cap dollars will bump them up 5 or 6 spots with about $45 million in cap space.

[MightyGiants]

So the post-June cut looks best for the team.

Is there a problem with taking that approach, save for DJ having fewer opportunities as back-up positions will be filled in Free Agency?

Yes and no.   Two things to always remember about post-June cuts or trades.  They are essentially borrowing future cap money by spreading out the dead money hit over two seasons rather than one.  Second, teams don't actually see the cap space until after June (which could be an issue in terms of signing veteran free agents.

[uconnjack8]

So the post-June cut looks best for the team.

Is there a problem with taking that approach, save for DJ having fewer opportunities as back-up positions will be filled in Free Agency?

If you are asking about timing, they can release him in Feb and declare it a "post 6/1"

[coggs]

So the post-June cut looks best for the team.

Is there a problem with taking that approach, save for DJ having fewer opportunities as back-up positions will be filled in Free Agency?

Problem is they do not actually get the cap space back until June.  And, this is not the NHL where teams are allowed to go over the cap by 10% in the off-season.