Question about LJ's tradability.

[Frankie]

Every time someone talks about trading LJ away a bunch of posters pounce on him and remind him how "stupid" he is because LJ's big contract and signing bonus makes him UNTRADABLE. I admit, when it comes to understanding financial stuff I am far from the brightest star in the sky. So here's the question:

LJ wants out of KC. We, as I understand, lose less money if we keep him than if we get rid of him (don't know how, but it's been said). With that in mind, if Leon is so out of here in his mind, is it possible that the current contract can be thrown away and a new more reasonable one negotiated that would remove the barriers to his tradability? If not, let him know that he will be an expensive back-up on our bench. A year of gluing his ass to the bench should either ruin his career or bring his ass around to be more agreeable to this.

Am I overlooking something here?

[Extra Point]

No. Here's a pep talk from Herm, re-enacted:

[JohnnyV13]

Yeah. The financial holdup is LJs signing bonus. Since he signed a 7 year deal, and has only fulfilled 2, the bulk of the signing bonus would accelerate into next year, as a current year cap hit. The Chiefs would lose about 14 million or so in cap room (or 7 if you spread the hit over 2 years).

Of course, the Chiefs DO have that cap room, unless the new GM decides to go on a shopping spree. As for LJ's tradability, the new team would assume LJ's base pay. From what I understand, LJ's base pay is pretty high and the new team might not be willing to accept that salary for a guy that could receive a years suspension for his next nightclub run-in. A team trading for LJ might demand to renegotiate the contract with LJ, before doing a deal.

[DeezNutz]

LJ's contract is Carl's going away present to Chiefs fans.

[FringeNC]

LJ's contract is one of many reasons why he has virtually no trade value.

[Deberg_1990]

We are probably better off keeping him. In the right system, he could be effective still.

He proved he could still run after he came back. If anything he was underused this year.

[DTLB58]

Originally Posted by JohnnyV13

Yeah. The financial holdup is LJs signing bonus. Since he signed a 7 year deal, and has only fulfilled 2, the bulk of the signing bonus would accelerate into next year, as a current year cap hit. The Chiefs would lose about 14 million or so in cap room (or 7 if you spread the hit over 2 years).

Of course, the Chiefs DO have that cap room, unless the new GM decides to go on a shopping spree. As for LJ's tradability, the new team would assume LJ's base pay. From what I understand, LJ's base pay is pretty high and the new team might not be willing to accept that salary for a guy that could receive a years suspension for his next nightclub run-in. A team trading for LJ might demand to renegotiate the contract with LJ, before doing a deal.

Well, someone took a chance on Jared when he was one strike away...and if LJ wants out of KC as bad as he says he probably would re-do his contract then.

Question is: Jammal Charles an every down back? or do we then have to use another high draft pick on a franchise RB?

Thought: If we keep Tyler and keep running the spread Sproles would be perfect for that IMO....

[Marcellus]

I have heard that if LJ is convicted on either of the assult charges he has pending then it triggers a conduct clause in his contact and voids a good portion of his signing bonus.
He would potentially have to pay back some of the bonus.

Not for certain if thats true. I hope so.

[Extra Point]

Robert Bennett sure looked good last night, didn't he?

[dorseybowe]

I wouldn't have a problem benching him for a season, so we can save a few bucks.

[Coogs]

If we just cut LJ, we most likely would get a 3rd round compensation pick in the 2010 draft, depending on who is signed as FA's this off-season. So it is not like we would go away empty handed.

[Johnny Vegas]

why not just run him till his legs fall off? Then it would be easier to kick him in the face when he's lower to the ground....NTIWWT, but I know a lot on here would have a wet dream over it. lol

[Marcellus]

Looks like we would be on the hook for the signing bonus but there is a conduct clause in his contract.

For one, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has reserved the right to punish Johnson again if he is convicted of the two unrelated charges he's currently facing, both for simple assault. Johnson also has to find a way to redeem himself with his team after a series of rules violations -- including being late to meetings as well as flights for games at New England and Carolina -- led to his deactivation for three straight weeks prior to the league's suspension. The likelihood of his remaining with the Chiefs beyond this season also remains very much in doubt. That suspension triggered a conduct clause in the five-year contract extension Johnson signed in August 2007, one that allows the Chiefs to void the $3.75 million he is guaranteed next season. Peterson admits that exercising that option "is a possibility."

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?id=3694547

[milkman]

Originally Posted by JohnnyV13

Yeah. The financial holdup is LJs signing bonus. Since he signed a 7 year deal, and has only fulfilled 2, the bulk of the signing bonus would accelerate into next year, as a current year cap hit. The Chiefs would lose about 14 million or so in cap room (or 7 if you spread the hit over 2 years).

Of course, the Chiefs DO have that cap room, unless the new GM decides to go on a shopping spree. As for LJ's tradability, the new team would assume LJ's base pay. From what I understand, LJ's base pay is pretty high and the new team might not be willing to accept that salary for a guy that could receive a years suspension for his next nightclub run-in. A team trading for LJ might demand to renegotiate the contract with LJ, before doing a deal.

I could be misinformed, but as I uderstand it, if LJ remains with the Chiefs his base salary and prorated bonus would count 8.2 mil against the cap, while his accelerated bonus would count 8.8 mil against the cap.

If those numbers are correct then cutting or trading him is definitely not out of the question.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Coogs

If we just cut LJ, we most likely would get a 3rd round compensation pick in the 2010 draft, depending on who is signed as FA's this off-season. So it is not like we would go away empty handed.

Teams don't get comp picks for players that are cut before their contracts expire.