No Salary Cap in the NFL for First Time in 16 Years

As of March of this year, the Collective Bargaining Agreement of 1994 has expired. Many of the players and executives were hoping to get a new agreement in place, but that did not happen. This may not sound like a big deal, but when you figure that the salary cap is tied to this agreement, the troubles start to become apparent. This really leaves teams and players in uncharted waters. Several questions begin to arise as teams start to court the different free agents. So how will things pan out for teams and free agents? Here are some examples of just a few of the problems.

There are several different paths that teams can take in this year's free agent market. You could see some teams that came close last season spending huge money to land some talent that can push them into the post season or beyond. There is also the flip side of the equation. Teams that did poorly last year could spend federal minimum wage on their players and save up a treasure chest to land a big player after the next season. For the teams that don't have a prayer of making an impact for years to come, they could just not "waste" money on a loosing season and the owner's wallet gets fatter. Some, like Joe Linta, would argue that the owners want to win more than make money. This may be true, but then how would you explain the Padres, Royals, and many more baseball teams that refuse to spend money to win. The owners still get rich and get the bonuses, but they spend very little. Could football owners get the same mind set?

Cincinnati Bengals:

The Bengals are in a very sketchy situation. This team could tip either way in the pay or don't pay problem. Coming off of one of the strongest seasons in a while, the Bengals could use a surge of cash to land some star talent that can push them a little farther. They could also be safe and land some of the cheaper players on the market and save for the following season or get in a bidding war for some restricted free agents. When it comes to Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA's), this season is a little thin on big impact players. With no minimum, the Bengals could get some young star or older rehab player for next to nothing and save some coin for a heavy hitter. With such a strong season last year, they could also try to keep the team in tact and make another run. This would save a lot for the following season when there may be a new cap in place, or more talent on the market.

Detroit Lions:

The Lions are coming off of a horrible season. If there were any team that would stash the cash and not pay to lose, it would be the Lions. They will have to make one or two mediocre moves to make the fans think that they care, but in reality, the owners are just not paying to lose. I really see the Lions' fans suffering through a painful off season of lip service. They really stand the most to gain from inactivity right now, and with such a disappointing season last year, the owner is not really going to be eager to drop a huge wad of cash on another joke season.

New England Patriots:

One team that may benefit from the lack of a salary cap is the Patriots. New England is full of cash and the upper management wants to get back to the winner's circle. There has been a Super Bowl drought for the Patriots, and that does not sit well with the fans or the team. The Patriots are like the Yankees of football and they will spend like the Bronx Bombers. With no salary cap, I see the Patriots grabbing almost everyone with a remote glint of talent off the market. Allowing the Patriots to ignore the salary cap is like letting a five year old loose in a candy store with a hundred bucks. There will be a spending spree. You will probably hear the same little giggles of glee coming from the front office.

The salary cap not only changed the way teams will be buying players, but it changed the players that are up for grabs. The eligibility requirements for becoming a UFA have changed. This limits some of the players that would have been available this year. There will be a lot of stress for some of these agents as they wonder about their own future in an unsure market. You may see a lot more "trades" going on this season, as a result of the new rules. If you can work a deal with a team that gets you the RFA that you want and it won't cost you a draft pick, why not?

Shawn Merriman (#56 Linebacker, San Diego Chargers)

Shawn Merriman is looking at a very iffy off season. Several teams may be scared off by a huge price tag on this now Restricted Free Agent (RFA). Instead of being unrestricted, Merriman now finds himself restricted. This means that other teams have to give up some draft picks to get sign him, and the Chargers can counter any offer he receives. Under the new rules, the final four teams may not even be able to sign him at all. This can really impact any contract that he could have had. If a team sees the loss of draft picks or other players as part of his cost, they may not be willing to even look at Merriman. He has a lot of talent and can make a huge impact for any team that he signs with, but are the Chargers ready to let him walk, and are other teams willing to get in a bidding war to sign him? There are a lot of questions that may lead to Merriman staying in San Diego. The Chargers could resign him for a contract that another team is willing to pay and then trade him away. This way, Merriman gets a good contract, and the team does not loose another player.

Julius Peppers (#90 Defensive End, Carolina Panthers)

Julius Peppers could be one of the lone beneficiaries to this salary cap. He is one of the best defensive ends in the game and arguably the biggest name on the UFA lineup for this years off season. His name is already bringing a lot of news. There are currently 3+ teams starting the courting process for Peppers. With no salary cap, any one of these teams can, and will, make Peppers the highest paid football player in history. With the free agent season only days old, the Bears, Eagles, and Patriots are all fighting for him. Peppers can easily capitalize on this opportunity. It may only be for a one season deal since it is expected to have a new cap in place for next year, but he can make some serious coin if he plays it right.

DeMeco Ryans (#59 Linebacker, Houston Texans)

DeMeco Ryans is another RFA that should have been unrestricted. This will really hamper his bids. Just like Merriman, there are few teams that will pay a reasonable contract and loose out on additional talent. It is very likely that Ryans will at least start the season with the Texans again. The only way he will move is via trade markets. With the additional restrictions on RFA's, the lack of a new agreement will see more trades and less RFA signings. Ryans is going to be a victim of this problem. He may still make out in the trade market though. If the Texans can get a good deal and find a team that will pay what Ryans wants, He may sign a new contract with the Texans and become trade bait. Under the new rules, this may be the only way for the RFA's to get what they deserve.

Regardless of what happens in this off season, there are a few things that this lack of an agreement will do. The first thing is that it will increase the salary caps of the future. If a huge deal is made now when there is no cap, the limits will have to be higher when one is enforced. It will also show the need for a floor. Even baseball has a floor and they are notorious for owners not spending and pocketing the revenue share and profits. This may be a rough year for free agents, but it may be good for the sport as a whole. It will show teams that they do not need a salary cap, and it will show everyone that a floor is necessary. It may also change the free agent rules with all the UFA's becoming restricted and suffering in new contracts. There may not be a lot of huge deals this off season, but a lot of policies may benefit in the future.

Sources:

Wikipedia

No Spending Spree Yet in Free Agency