Rumors are spreading on a possible reduction of Graham’s salary cap hit for the 2021 season. The veteran defensive lineman has been very outspoken on his intention to finish his career with the team that drafted him in 2010. The problem is that the Eagles are dramatically exceeding the predicted salary cap by $43 million. However, the NFL has not officially set the cap. How they will get out of this tight place is a real Pennsylvania gambling issue right now, with fans holding their breath. No one wants to see BG go, after 11 seasons and his historic role in the 2017 Super Bowl LII victory.
Reportedly, the Philadelphia Eagles’ solution is to work out a deal with Graham to restructure his contract. He is entering the final year, with a cap number of $17.928 million for 2021. This includes his basic salary, $13 million, and a prorated bonus of $4,928,000. If they release Graham as a pre-June 1st cut, the Eagles will only save $716,000 while saving $13 million if he is designated as a post-June 1 cut).
The entire three-year contract, though, is worth a lofty $40 million, and $27 million of that are bonuses ($12.5 million signing bonus, $3.5 million option bonus, and Graham’s 2019 and 2020 base salaries). Two dummy years were added to prorate bonus money: they will officially void 23 days before the start of the 2022 league year. The contract was already restructured once, in 2019, to reduce Graham’s 2020 cap number by $7.1 million: he converted his 2020 base salary into an option and added an additional void year to the contract. Now the Birds will have to think out some other creative way to keep one of their best men while bringing the cap down in time for the beginning of the league year on March 17th.
Graham has been very clear on his desire to stick to the team he spent his entire professional career. “I don’t want to go anywhere,” he told Zach Berman of The Athletic. “I know I don’t have long, but I know for me, I’m here in Philly. So when I’m (retired, I’m) either going to be working here or doing something in Philly to stay connected to the team. I don’t want to mess that up by just dipping out when things got a little tough.”
BG notched 46 tackles (35 solos), eight sacks, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in his 16 games of 2020. He slacked down somewhat in the latter half of the 2020 season, with only one sack during the last eight games. But there is no doubt that he was Philadelphia’s top defensive player to begin the year. His leadership and positive influence on the team are unquestionable. The Eagles are entering a season of total rebuilding with the new coach Nick Sirianni. They have just traded quarterback Carson Wentz and restructured the contract of star cornerback Darius Slay. They cannot afford to lose Graham now.
