Based on the way that Kyle Long restructured his deal, 2019 could be his last season
When Kyle Long restructured his salary in 2019 it was a surprise to no one. He had not lived up to his deal and would have saved the Chicago Bears a lot of cap space if they released him.
Instead, the two compromised that Long would stay, but for less money.
The details of the new deal have come out. He is set to make just over $4 million this season, and the pay cut saves the Bears about $2.9 million.
Kyle Long agreed to a 1 year $4.1M fully GTD restructured contract w/ the #Bears that includes an $8.1M option for 2020. The move clears $2.9M of cap space for CHI this year.https://t.co/Gt1HPZqGso
— Spotrac (@spotrac) March 6, 2019
However, what is worth noting is the second part of that sentence. The Chicago Bears have an option in 2020 worth $8 million. It is worth noting that before the restructure Long was signed through 2021. It seems as though Long and the Bears ripped up any terms that last into 2021.
They did not reduce his salary in 2020, but none of it was guaranteed from the start. He has an option, but the team just asked him to go from his $8 million salary down to $4.1. When Long is a year older are they really going to pay him twice as much as they did in 2019? There is almost no chance, and that 2020 price tag looks like it is put in place for show.
It is meant to show that Long could be back. However, it is equally unlikely. A season like the past three for Long and the Bears will decline his 2020 deal and he will likely retire from there.
Even if Long plays well it would make sense for the team to hang onto him, but once again after reducing his 2020 salary. It is hard to envision the world where Long plays so well and stays so healthy that the team would actually be inclined to give him double his 2019 salary