by ZootMurph » Tue Dec 03, 2019 11:33 am
I play 0% until the preseason, then 25% during the preseason, season, playoffs, and through the end of year sim. Then 0% from the start of the new year to preseason. Most pro contracts are structured so their bonus gets paid if they are on the roster at a certain time... so I sim it that there is no cap hit (the signing bonus) unless they make it to the preseason. Usually it's training camp for pros, but also most players don't get a signing bonus unless they sign for a large amount. So a lot of training camp guys are not giving the team a cap hit when cut. That's why I wait until preseason... although, using the same logic, most guys fighting for a job are on a one year deal with no signing bonus and, if cut prior to the regular season, don't cost the team that cuts them a cap penalty.
Just understand that most football players do not get a signing bonus. The cap hit occurs for a team when they cut a player that has guaranteed money (or signing bonus). Training camp invitees almost always have the NFL minimum salary, which comes with no guaranteed money, so when teams cut them, they don't take a cap hit. Also, most signing bonuses (guaranteed money) also come with a clause that says they get the money only if they are on the roster by a certain date. So if they are cut before the date, the contract is done and no cap hit is taken.
I hate that you have to take a cap hit to give a player a tryout in training camp or preseason... so I change it in solo to fit what I think is proper.