With the Chicago Bears pressed up against the salary cap, is Kyle Long a candidate to take a pay cut?
Most Chicago Bears fans will admit they love Kyle Long. However, it has been frustrating to note that over the past couple of seasons his body has started to give up on him.
His last three seasons have featured eight, nine and eight games played, all with a variety of issues.
Long is now over the age of 30 and with his varying injuries there is a real concern about how much longer he could be with the team. The fact of the matter is that they could save about $5.5 million outright by letting Long go. That would also save them $8.1 on the salary cap next season and $8.9 in 2021. Those would be his age 32, and 33 seasons.
Let’s face it, he is not going to see that money. The Chicago Bears will want to hold onto him for this season, as they do not have an adequate replacement on the roster.
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However, given his injury concerns, the team has to draft as if he will not be in the 2020 or 2021 plans.
However, there is a way for Long to help the Bears, and also extend his career with the Bears. He could restructure or take a pay cut.
With only $4.5 million left in dead cap the Chicago Bears could move a lot of his money around. That would really help a team that is currently in the bottom five in salary cap space, and has big decisions looming with Adrian Amos and Bryce Callahan.
Kyle Long is a fan favorite who just wants to win. You saw the reaction with his brother after his first playoff game. Kyle Long wants to be a part of this. Financially it does not make sense to keep him apart of this.
Long knows that he is unlikely to see his future money that is not guaranteed considering his health issues, and knows that considering his health issues that giving the team more space to improve the team only improves his chances of getting back into that playoff situation.
The Bears could certainly keep Kyle Long into the 2020 and 2021 seasons. However, it would come at a reduced rate. It will be interesting to see if Long makes that decision.