Colts Extend Buckner. **Contract Details Updated Page 2, Spoiler it's Really BIG Savings**

[ADnum1]

Great signing !! Well deserved!

[Superman]

3 hours ago, stitches said:

Because Ballard doesn't seem to like pushing money into the future, unless it's absolutely required... which at this moment doesn't seem to be the case. 

 

I think it's pretty much required. Once you get past the cut downs and we're counting the 53 man roster + practice squad, I think there's a chance that we're at $5-10m in remaining cap space. If it's less than $10m, they probably want more buffer for in-season moves. DeFo's contract is the most practical target for creating more cap space in 2024, so I'd be surprised if this doesn't reduce his cap hit by $5m or so.

[hoosierhawk]

Love this move!! Still standing by to see what happens with Mo Allie. Lots of cap space available there if we decide to part ways but CB must really like him. We'll see but wrapping up Buck for two more years at the price we got him at was great.

[AwesomeAustin]

1 hour ago, hoosierhawk said:

Love this move!! Still standing by to see what happens with Mo Allie. Lots of cap space available there if we decide to part ways but CB must really like him. We'll see but wrapping up Buck for two more years at the price we got him at was great.

I feel if MAC was going to be a cap casualty it would have already happened. Ballard is known to do right by his players and would most likely have cut him at the beginning of the league year allowing time to find a new team. Now that may change at final roster cut downs but until then, they plan for MAC to play this year. 

[w87r]

8 hours ago, GoColts8818 said:

That’s a side effect of extending a player more than the reason they are extending the player.  They are extending the player because they want to keep him, not to free up the money.  Again, the point I was weighing in on was the idea that extending players is out of the norm for Ballard because he doesn’t like to push money into the future.  He’s extended players about every year he’s been here because he’s wanted to keep the players.  What he avoids is restructuring which is where you can get into real trouble with pushing the money into the future.  
 

Does it happen to free up some money?  Yes it does but that’s normally not the reason to do it.  Teams don’t just hand out extensions to players they don’t plan on keeping when their contracts are up to free up space.  

Wanted to double back on this. Was little sporadic earlier.

 

 

I understand what you are saying now.

 

 

Yes, while saving money isn't the sole intent of the extension, it is a bonus with locking up our guy for longer.

 

 

I will say though, I do think they looked at it as a way to move a little bit of funds around though, because we don't have too many legit options outside of Buckner. His doesn't hurt us in the future as much.

 

 

Nelson restructure would create huge cap hits for last couple years of deal.

Kelly has injury concerns and is risky to put future years on.

Smith is kind the same boat, coming off of surgery, would be risky to add future cap right now on him.

[Superman]

7 minutes ago, w87r said:

I will say though, I do think they looked at it as a way to move a little bit of funds around though, because we don't have too many legit options outside of Buckner. His doesn't hurt us in the future as much.

 

 

Agreed. I think they need to open up some room for in-season buffer, just based on where the numbers are likely to stand after the cuts. We could probably project the final 53 at about $250m, plus another $3-4m for practice squad, so now we're about $7m under the cap. I assume they'll sign a vet or two after the draft, but even if they don't, that's running kind of thin for in-season moves. Even just for injury replacements. I feel like the target number is $10m, at least.

 

And once they do Buckner's new contract, they can't restructure him again for 12 months. Since he's the most likely candidate for a cap reduction, it makes sense to reduce his number right now.

 

The other likely move to free up cap space, is Mo, but now that the off-season program is starting, they're running the risk of him getting hurt on the job, and then you can't do anything with his contract. That's if they're even considering moving on from him in the first place.

 

My expectation is Buckner's cap number comes down to $17m or so, adding $5-6m in cap space for 2024.

[w87r]

TE talk moved to off-season discussion thread

 

 

Back to Buckner 

[NewColtsFan]

34 minutes ago, w87r said:

TE talk moved to off-season discussion thread

 

 

Back to Buckner 

Apologies.   Didn’t mean to cause the thread draft.    My bad.   
 

[w87r]

6 minutes ago, NewColtsFan said:

Apologies.   Didn’t mean to cause the thread draft.    My bad.   
 

It wasn't anyone's fault, just kind of morphed that way.

 

I was complicit myself.

 

Wasn't a big deal really, just figured it would be the best way to get back to Buckner talk if posters wanted, and to continue the TE talk of posters wanted.

 

 

Although after I moved it here, I thought maybe the Ogletree thread might of been better, but it's here now, so will keep it here.

 

 

EDIT: didn't realize I was in the Buckner thread, so TE talk will stay in the offseason thread, not here.

[husker61]

Good move by the colts, keeping both tackles! That was the strength of the defense last year.

[chickenMan]

Buckner is probably my favorite Colt right now, so I’m ecstatic about this. I know we didn’t do a lot of external work in free agency, but keeping pretty much everyone and also giving extensions to our own guys is huge.

-Resigned Pitt

-Resigned Grover

-Resigned Kenny

-Resigned Tyquan Lewis

-Resigned Sanchez

-Resigned Ronnie Harrison Jr.

-Resigned Pinter

-Resigned Blackmon

-Extended Zaire

-Extended Buckner

-Extended JT

 

Those are all impact players that we have locked down for multiple years. All of that in one season is really damn impressive to me.

[csmopar]

3 hours ago, chickenMan said:

Buckner is probably my favorite Colt right now, so I’m ecstatic about this. I know we didn’t do a lot of external work in free agency, but keeping pretty much everyone and also giving extensions to our own guys is huge.

-Resigned Pitt

-Resigned Grover

-Resigned Kenny

-Resigned Tyquan Lewis

-Resigned Sanchez

-Resigned Ronnie Harrison Jr.

-Resigned Pinter

-Resigned Blackmon

-Extended Zaire

-Extended Buckner

-Extended JT

 

Those are all impact players that we have locked down for multiple years. All of that in one season is really damn impressive to me.

It is and it sets the field for a potentially more active FA next year IF AR15 pans out

[shasta519]

4 hours ago, csmopar said:

It is and it sets the field for a potentially more active FA next year IF AR15 pans out

 

Think it depends on what they do with guys like Dayo, Kelly, Blackmon, Granson, backup QB, P, etc. 

 

Spotrac is projecting another jump to $276M. So if that holds, they should have $53M in cap space right now. That could go pretty fast.

 

Am curious to see what they do with Paye and his 5th year option. 

 

My guess would be that if next year goes well, we will see one really big move ala 2020. Seemed like that was the initial approach this offseason.

[GoColts8818]

21 minutes ago, shasta519 said:

 

Think it depends on what they do with guys like Dayo, Kelly, Blackmon, Granson, backup QB, P, etc. 

 

Spotrac is projecting another jump to $276M. So if that holds, they should have $53M in cap space right now. That could go pretty fast.

 

Am curious to see what they do with Paye and his 5th year option. 

 

My guess would be that if next year goes well, we will see one really big move ala 2020. Seemed like that was the initial approach this offseason.

The punter just got a multi year extension.  I don’t think they are going to be looking for a punter next off-season.

[Superman]

2 hours ago, GoColts8818 said:

The punter just got a multi year extension.  I don’t think they are going to be looking for a punter next off-season.

 

Rigo only got a one year deal.

 

Edit: Actually looks like you're right, he got a three year deal. Spotrac says one, but OTC says three, and that's what was reported at the time.

[ProblChld32]

On 4/15/2024 at 8:01 AM, CR91 said:

 

I’ll be honest I’m shocked by this and the contract seems to be team friendly compared to some of those other DT contracts signed in FA. I was almost certain that DeFo would’ve opted into going to a Super Bowl contender after the season is up.

[richard pallo]

28 minutes ago, ProblChld32 said:

I’ll be honest I’m shocked by this and the contract seems to be team friendly compared to some of those other DT contracts signed in FA. I was almost certain that DeFo would’ve opted into going to a Super Bowl contender after the season is up.

Apparently he thinks we are Super Bowl contenders.

[NewColtsFan]

4 minutes ago, richard pallo said:

Apparently he thinks we are Super Bowl contenders.

If you read his interview, Buckner and his wife absolutely LOVE the state of Indiana and the city of Indianapolis.  They think it’s the perfect place to raise a family.  They couldn’t say enough good things about it.  

[RollerColt]

1 hour ago, NewColtsFan said:

If you read his interview, Buckner and his wife absolutely LOVE the state of Indiana and the city of Indianapolis.  They think it’s the perfect place to raise a family.  They couldn’t say enough good things about it.  

Indianapolis often gets a bad rap, but it does offer a lot for those looking for a place to raise a family. Even for millionaires, the cost of living is cheaper, most of the major schools are still top notch… 

[GoColts8818]

2 minutes ago, RollerColt said:

Indianapolis often gets a bad rap, but it does offer a lot for those looking for a place to raise a family. Even for millionaires, the cost of living is cheaper, most of the major schools are still top notch… 

The whole notion that players don’t like Indianapolis is ridiculous.  Several choose to settle in Indy after their careers are over if they spent any time with the Colts.  

[RollerColt]

1 minute ago, GoColts8818 said:

The whole notion that players don’t like Indianapolis is ridiculous.  Several choose to settle in Indy after their careers are over if they spent any time with the Colts.  

Chuck is still around, Adam V still has land in the area as far as I know, Andrew still has a place, Reggie has obviously stayed. Also seems like our old players love any chance to come back for events. 
 

I mean it’s not the most stunning state in natural beauty, but there are some really nice locations if a person is willing to look for them. 

[richard pallo]

2 minutes ago, csmopar said:

I don’t think he’s fairly being judged here. There’s been reports every single year that we were the high bidder and yet lost out. I truly think most of that comes down to the fact we really don’t have much to offer in terms of things not counting as salary. No franchise QB proven yet, no bikini clad babes or beaches, income tax etc. 

Once players think you have the right coach and a franchise quarterback everything changes.  Night turns into daylight.

[csmopar]

40 minutes ago, richard pallo said:

Once players think you have the right coach and a franchise quarterback everything changes.  Night turns into daylight.

Agreed. But the jury is still out if we’re being honest. 

[SurfinKal]

Happy to have him back, he has been a bright spot in a couple dark years. 
 

on a side note, I’m always happy to see hometown kids do well for themselves and especially if they are playing for my team. 😁

[w87r]

Wowsers:

 

https://overthecap.com/player/deforest-buckner/4720

 

Contract Notes

DeForest Buckner signed a two year, $46 million contract with the Colts on April 15, 2024. Bucker received $53.25 million in guarantees on the total contract value of which $43.25 million is fully guaranteed. The new money guarantee is $33 million with $23 million guaranteed at signing. Buckner received an $18 million signing bonus and his 2024 and 2025 salaries are fully guaranteed. There are two void years for salary cap purposes. The extension reduced Buckner's 2024 salary cap number by $14.4 million.

 

2024 original cap hit: $22.75m

 

new extension cap hits:

2024 - $8.35m

2025 - $26.6m

2026 - $26.6m

2027 - $7.2m(void year)(dead cap)

2028 - $3.6m(void year)(dead cap)

 

 

This is way outside the box for Ballard. Something probably in the works.

 

 

New cap space per OtC(Spotrac not updated yet)

$28,412,296

 

Spotrac estimate - $28,194,348

[Solid84]

Wow, okay, not expected. This seems like more than just making room for rookies, in-season signings and low tier vets post draft, right?

[w87r]

Just now, Solid84 said:

Wow, okay, not expected. This seems like more than just making room for rookies, in-season signings and low tier vets post draft, right?

Sure seems that way to me?

 

For Ballard to add 2 void years saving an additional $7.2m, who will be 33 and 34 at the time(less likely to sign longer deal to get rid of dead cap at that point), seems as if a pretty decent move is upcoming?

[Solid84]

2 minutes ago, w87r said:

Sure seems that way to me?

 

For Ballard to add 2 void years saving an additional $7.2m, who will be 33 and 34 at the time(less likely to sign longer deal to get rid of dead cap at that point), seems as if a pretty decent move is upcoming?

I agree.

 

This might be the first time Ballard has used void years in a contract?

[w87r]

Just now, Solid84 said:

I agree.

 

This might be the first time Ballard has used void years in a contract?

I feel like I remember him doing so a couple years back, but nothing to this magnitude.

 

Maybe just like 1 void year for $2-$3m or so?

 

Could be wrong there though.

[GoColts8818]

1 hour ago, w87r said:

I feel like I remember him doing so a couple years back, but nothing to this magnitude.

 

Maybe just like 1 void year for $2-$3m or so?

 

Could be wrong there though.

He used it with Fisher. 
 

Take this for what it’s worth.

 

 

[w87r]

4 minutes ago, GoColts8818 said:

He used it with Fisher. 
 

Take this for what it’s worth.

 

 

Thanks, I knew I remembered something, just couldn't remember what. Lol.

 

 

Edit: not sure I buy the plan is to just carry it all over to next year, but hey?

 

If that was the case, don't put the void years on there 

[GoColts8818]

23 minutes ago, w87r said:

Thanks, I knew I remembered something, just couldn't remember what. Lol.

 

 

Edit: not sure I buy the plan is to just carry it all over to next year, but hey?

 

If that was the case, don't put the void years on there 

Yeah that’s why I said take it for what its worth.  I don’t think the Colts would tell Holder they were in negotiations with someone until a deal was done one way or another anyways.

[w87r]

1 minute ago, GoColts8818 said:

Yeah that’s why I said take it for what its worth.  I don’t think the Colts would tell Holder they were in negotiations with someone until a deal was done one way or another anyways.

I guess it is a good way to accelerate some 2027 cash to next year?

 

However, it just seems unnecessary. Could've saved money this year($7.2m) having the same 2025-2026 cap hits, and left 2027-2028 alone.

[DoubleE Colt]

39 minutes ago, w87r said:

Thanks, I knew I remembered something, just couldn't remember what. Lol.

 

 

Edit: not sure I buy the plan is to just carry it all over to next year, but hey?

 

If that was the case, don't put the void years on there 

Am I just being really dumb lol....... how are we making space to roll over to next year when we would have had that space anyway as he was a free agent so to resign him we'd have probably just used the cap space we allocated to him next year. 

[w87r]

2 minutes ago, DoubleE Colt said:

Am I just being really dumb lol....... how are we making space to roll over to next year when we would have had that space anyway as he was a free agent so to resign him we'd have probably just used the cap space we allocated to him next year. 

Well I think this is more in reference to the extension. We were giving him the money so he wouldn't of been a FA next year anyway.

 

 

We did steal $7.2m away from 2027 though if that was their purpose, but that doesn't calculate as making too much sense to me.

 

No need to add those void years unless you plan to use up some more money this year, imo.

 

 

Now the cap will rollover whatever is left but idk? That just doesn't seem to be what it is, at least not to me. Time will tell, at least we get a little more excitement and unknown anticipation leading up to the draft.

[AwesomeAustin]

If they are rolling it over until next year, maybe it’s part of the plan with all the three year extensions to make a couple splashes in FA or trades while AR is on his rookie deal. Maybe wants to make sure AR is good to go and works out his rookie ways this year. Idk but just a theory. 

[Superman]

This is a really interesting contract for the Colts. I don't know if they necessarily have plans to use the extra cap space this season, maybe they wanted to create the cap space just in case, which is fine since they can roll it over. 

 

Two void years is interesting. Like GC8818 said, Ballard has only done that with the Fisher contract in 2021, and that was a much smaller amount, and only one year. In 2021, the Colts needed that extra cap space with the cap shrinking after Covid, and by the end of the season, they only had $2.7m in unused cap to rollover to 2022. They didn't need to backload Buckner's contract to this extent. I think this is a significant deviation in cap management.

 

They also haven't increased his 2024 cash outlay, it's still $20.25m. They are guaranteeing him an additional $23m in 2025, plus injury guarantees into 2026, so it's favorable for Buckner. But I feel like his market could be higher than $23m/year; Christian Wilkins and Justin Madubuike just signed for significantly more. It seems very team friendly, to me. 

[w87r]

16 minutes ago, Superman said:

This is a really interesting contract for the Colts. I don't know if they necessarily have plans to use the extra cap space this season, maybe they wanted to create the cap space just in case, which is fine since they can roll it over. 

 

Two void years is interesting. Like GC8818 said, Ballard has only done that with the Fisher contract in 2021, and that was a much smaller amount, and only one year. In 2021, the Colts needed that extra cap space with the cap shrinking after Covid, and by the end of the season, they only had $2.7m in unused cap to rollover to 2022. They didn't need to backload Buckner's contract to this extent. I think this is a significant deviation in cap management.

 

They also haven't increased his 2024 cash outlay, it's still $20.25m. They are guaranteeing him an additional $23m in 2025, plus injury guarantees into 2026, so it's favorable for Buckner. But I feel like his market could be higher than $23m/year; Christian Wilkins and Justin Madubuike just signed for significantly more. It seems very team friendly, to me. 

I agree it seems team friendly.

 

 

The only thing I would say is, he didn't have any guaranteed money for this year on the old deal. $2.5 SB which was already paid out.

 

 

So while the $18m SB and the base are equal to the cash he would've received on old deal this year, at least he got that guaranteed plus $23m more next year and like you mentioned $10m of 2026 for injury, that gives him some good security.

 

I think it was team friendly, but at the same time, I think it was a still a good get for Buckner as well.

 

 

If no extension, he risked injury and possibly missing out on a big pay day after the season. Saying that, he could've still asked for more based on value around the league, but he is 30.

 

Madubuike got $24.5m AAV, so not substantially higher and he is 3-4 years younger.

 

Wilkins got $27.5m AAV, while he is a couple years younger, he also went to a new team where as you know, can often inflate that AAV a little more to draw them away from current team.

[Hawkeyecolt]

TY also had a voidable year added to his contract

[Superman]

8 minutes ago, Hawkeyecolt said:

TY also had a voidable year added to his contract

 

It's hard to believe that TY was on that 2021 team. I don't really have any memory of him still being there...

 

Actually, he had that crazy TD against the Raiders. I guess I've blocked those last two weeks out of my mind.