According to ESPN, the negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement are headed toward a settlement, as both sides have agreed in principle to a rookie wage system and salary cap figures. The same source reports that the 2011 salary cap will be $120M, which puts the New York Jets, who have $128.5M committed to player salaries, above the limit.
Because a 2011 salary cap of $120M could cause problems for quite a few teams that currently spend more than that, one of the provisions being discussed is a one-player cap exemption for each team, according to a source. That exemption would be a $3M credit in 2011 that would count against benefits paid out, a source said. That exemption, which could drop to $1.5M next year, could save the jobs of players.
The exemption transition would be similar to the minimum salary benefit that allows teams to sign a veteran player to a one-year contract at a greatly reduced cap number. Full details of that option weren't immediately announced.
Still, considering that the Jets have several high profile players bound for free agency once the agreement is reached, the Gang Green might be faced with quite a few difficult decisions to make before the season begins.
As for the rookie wage system, four people familiar with the talks said first-round draft picks will sign four-year contracts with a club option for a fifth year. If the team option is exercised, in the fifth year the top 10 picks would receive a salary equal to the average of the top 10 player salaries at their respective positions. That money would be guaranteed if the option is exercised after the third year of the contract. If the team option is exercised, in the fifth year picks 11-32 would receive a salary equal to the average of the Nos. 3-25 salaries at their respective positions. That money would be guaranteed if the option is exercised after the third year of the contract.