When the Detroit Lions traded quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams, the team accelerated Stafford’s bonus cap hits into 2021. That move put the franchise in a bad situation financially.
The 2021 Lions salary cap (which includes Goff’s contract) shows $199.4 million on the books. This comes from $179.1 million in actual roster salaries, and $20.3 million in “dead money.”
The league-wide salary cap for next season has not yet been set. Revenue losses due to the pandemic are expected to push the cap down in 2021. Many have predicted as low as under $180 million for the cap.
The Lions are currently over the expected cap, and need to make some important moves. Otherwise they would be unable to sign any free agents or drafted rookies from the upcoming NFL Draft.
It is expected that they will possibly franchise tag Kenny Golladay. This is also likely to be expensive for them. Cutting some veterans on large contracts could help, but opening money space in that way also creates holes to be filled.
Interesting Detroit Lions notes: ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes Matthew Stafford will be the league MVP in 2021 at the helm of the Rams. Follow along as we wait to see how the Lions handle the situation.
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