If you can't comprehend the impact of Watson's future contract years .... I don't know what to tell you. Its far out of proportion to ANY previous contract , mainly because of COVID Economics.
These contracts are handed out with the idea that the cap continues to rise. Now the Texans give out that contract when its expected to contract. That was downright stupid and really has nothing to do with the guy who signed the contract.
When most top tier QB's are earning in the ballpark of 11-15% , The Texans handed out one that's 20% of the current cap - a cap that is expected to DROP by 10-20m which makes that contract now 27% of the total.
At 27% does it really matter who signed their john henry to that contract ? That's a terrible deal for the team. That's an unprecedented contract.
As for Tunsil - I never said he was a bad player. What I said is "he's not a game changer" and he's being paid like one.
He's statistically the best pass blocking LT in the league - Wonderful.
But can you line up behind that guy and get 1 or 2 yards when you need it ? You are paying him like you can .... but the reality is , no , you can't.
When you combine those two contracts in 22 & 23 , they add up to $61.4m and $64.15m.
That's 35.4% in 22 and 35.8% in 23 for two players.
Now add in all those other bad contracts - Mercilus , Cunningham , Martin ....
How do you build a quality team when you have trashed your cap with bloated contracts.
Are you sure that the 2022 and 2023 are set?
Are you sure that contracts can't be rewritten?
There's no use crying spilled milk for the mess that frking Bill O'Brien left.
You just have to deal with it best you can.
I think it makes more sense to look at the top 5 or top 10 contracts rather than just 2.
If anything, I see the Chiefs line-up shedding up some fat first.
Really, there are several teams out there that have been paying and maxing out their cap space to go for it; the Texans won't be alone with cap problem.
.......
If I'm the new GM, I'd have to look at how to construct a roster around those two guys (or just one, since I can't trade Watson).
Either a quick strike offense where I just need some really quick/fast guys in space and a big possession receivers. I'd need a guy from the Sweeney/Morris/Matzlan tree to implement a running game that goes hand in hand with that passing scheme.
Again, you don't need expensive powerful and/or fast RBs that are costly. There are a number of those choices from those schemes available as UDFA (either on the PS of some teams or in college, or at home).
Or a WCO where you can save money on the offensive line, etc.
In this scheme, I can deal aways Tunsil if the new HC/OC can find a guy that fits the scheme for less money.
On defense, I'd look for a DC experienced in Cover 2/Tampa 2.
It will be ugly bend but don't break defense for a couple of years, but I'd look for guys that can make play on the ball (they may lack elite speed and/or man coverage skill, but they come cheaper.)
Build an opportunistic defense, looking to create turnovers to make up for being a top tier defense.
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