Cant happen if he has a year left on his contract though.My hope is he has a good year, and they let him walk for a comp pick. I don't want to make the same mistake Rivera made...among many of the mistakes he made I don't wish to repeat
Void years don't figure into that, I don't think. We're not cutting him, he's a UFA after this year.Cant happen if he has a year left on his contract though.
If we cut him we get no comp.pick.
Only way would be if he played out the two years remaining and walked as a free agent.
I could certainly be wrong, im no expert.Void years don't figure into that, I don't think. We're not cutting him, he's a UFA after this year.
I heard that from Keim and went and looked up the numbers, and then thought he was wrong. I know, it's sacrilege to disagree with the almighty John Keim, but I think he's just factually not correct on this one.I am not a cap expert but several local reporters (if I recall Keim, too) has referenced this season as a defacto potential last season for Payne as to his contract because there is an affordable exit ramp, and there is a good chance they take that ramp in effect making Payne either a FA or someone who perhaps would take a lesser deal in a restructure to stick around.
In short, the odds that Payne is here in 2026 at 28 million is very slim.
I heard that from Keim and went and looked up the numbers, and then thought he was wrong. I know, it's sacrilege to disagree with the almighty John Keim, but I think he's just factually not correct on this one.
Payne's cap number for this year is $26M. His cap number for next year is $28M.
He is going to be in the same situation as Terry is in during the 2026 off-season: under contract for 2026, but at a number which the team can pay. Evidence by the fact they are paying essentially the same this year.
Now, does Payne have a ton to play for? ABSOLUTELY. Because he wants to be in a position next off-season to negotiate an extension. Or, if released, get a new contract. But that's basically every player for every year. He's not in a contract year. Because the team could EASILY just let him ride out his contract. It wouldn't be that big a cap hit increase from this year especially since the cap will increase, it's possible his percentage of cap will decrease, and it's an $11m dead cap hit to release him. Could they? Sure. But they absolutely don't have to.
So, I think it's apples to oranges.
My bad, he does have one more year on his contract, THEN the void year.
Also, for the "we overpaid Kinlaw" train: We are paying him just over half that next year.As for whether the team can pay 28 million? Sure. But its ridiculous to pay that for a good -- not great DT.
Which they will probably end up taking and giving to Tunsil.With the Payne, the talking point is he's defacto in his last year because no way they are paying him 28 million and like Jonathan Allen this year, they can get out of the contract next off season.
That might be the single dumbest trade idea I've read for Terry...Talk here in Buffalo is that the Bills might be interested since Shakir went down wuth a high ankle sprain. Rumour is Curtis Samuel and a 5th for Terry. Sounds like wishful thinking by Bills fans.
That might be the single dumbest trade idea I've read for Terry...