Yes, all of those are super ideas. It would add some significant depth to this sim.

If changes are implemented into the game.I do have some questions that others may even have about this change.How will it effect are current cap?Will the salary cap need too be raised in all the leagues?Will we be able too negotiate the incentives in the contracts?Will this be applied only during free agency of a player asking for more money after pro bowl appearances? If the salary cap is too low.Does this mean we will see a bunch of pro bowlers not sign with teams?Which could lead too the leagues being watered down.This opens up uncharted waters in the game.I would think this will take some time in any type of testing before it is even released.

my 2 cents ..

It should factor into future contract negotiations. I don't like the idea of player holdouts especially if you have just signed the player longterm.

If a holdout is being considered allow it to happen at a minimum of 2 years off of a contract

This is what I'm thinking more than holdouts, at least at first. Holdouts might come down the road but will take a lot of thought. Incentives are very interesting as well, I'll need to research how that impacts the salary cap in real life and really need to think about how that would play into the contract evaluations, and make sure that it adds to the experience instead of becoming a burden.

Loving this discussion!

IMO Teams are paying ridiculous prices for FA's as it is. Quality FA's who are only going to last 2 seasons max are being given 5 yr contracts on crazy prices. I would think AP's askign higher prices would not impact the game too much at all as some teams are already doing it to themselves.

Your totally right when it comes to FA. However the contract issue is when resigning players, right now you can fudge the contract by finding what the player wants for a minimal bonus for such years, once you have that you can max out the bonus to 75% and then lower the overall contract down until you can get to that minimal bonus. Now if the contract emphasis was on the total amount instead of the bonus teams will then no longer be able to afford all these contracts

This is because team's have an insane amount of free cap space, so why not bust the bank on mediocre aging vets? Eventually this will drive up the market and start balancing things out, but it's going to take a crazy amount of time for that to happen of its own accord.

I did a little research on salaries.Each year the NFL minimum salaries increase by $15,000, up to $435k for a rookie in 2015. A player’s minimum salary is determined by his years of experience (YOE), ranging from 0 to 10 or more. The chart below shows the minimum (P5) salaries a team can contract a player to based on Years of Experience (credited seasons).

2015 2016 2017 2018

0 $435,000 $450,000 $465,000 $480,000
1 $510,000 $525,000 $540,000 $555,000
2 $585,000 $600,000 $615,000 $630,000
3 $660,000 $675,000 $690,000 $705,000
4-6 $745,000 $760,000 $775,000 $790,000
7-9 $870,000 $885,000 $900,000 $915,000
10+ $970,000 $985,000 $1,000,000 $1,015,000

Veteran Minimum Benefits

When qualified, a player with more than four or more years of NFL experience can earn his total minimum salary, but have a cap figure that reflects two years of experience – or in 2015, $585,000. The contract must be for only one year, and must not contain combined bonus money (signing, roster, workout) that exceeds $65,000.
For instance, Victor Butler recently re-signed with the New York Giants on a 1 year $745,000 contract. With more than two years of experience (5), and a 1 year contract, Butler qualfies for the cap hit benefit. His 2015 cap figure will be $585,000 with the Giants.


Had he received a signing bonus of the maximum $80,000, he would have received an $810,000 contract, with a $745,000 base salary, a $65,000 signing bonus, and a cap figure of $650,000 (585+65).With plenty of veterans being released, or not signed back thus far in 2015, the use of the Minimum Salary Benefit Rule becomes useful both for older players looking for jobs, and teams looking to minimize their cap dollars.


Reserve/Future Contracts
The majority of Reserve/Futures contracts, as well as nearly all Undrafted Free Agent signings this summer will include a minimum salary base contract. In the 2015 season that would include a salary of $435,000 in 2015, $525,000 in 2016, and if applicable $615,000 in 2017.

I would agree that older veterans on the back end of ones career should not be asking for 5 yr deals.

It's not that they "ask" for the contract, but as it relates to this sim some owners make them these offers. I guess it's to ensure the successful signing, but it makes it hard to compete in the f/a market. Maybe some structure for f/a's somewhat like the nfl's structure you just outlined?

another factor that comes to mind also is we are not using agents too speak for our players in negotiations of contracts.