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In what seems to be a very slow news day (not really), the Los Angeles Rams have restructured punter Johnny Hekker’s contract, creating $1.69m in cap space immediately:
In what many are calling the news of the day in the NFL, the Rams converted $2.25M of P Johnny Hekker's base salary into a bonus, creating $1.69M in cap space.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 7, 2019
This helps accommodate the recent extensions for Jared Goff and Tyler Higbee.
According to Over The Cap, the Rams only had $1.9m in cap space prior to the move. The conversion of base salary to a bonus makes sense as the Rams now have enough cap space to complete the deals for QB Jared Goff and TE Tyler Higbee, but also a few dollars left over in case of emergency (injury). Teams generally like to have a few million laying around as they begin the season, and the Rams are now likely to have that luxury too.
There isn’t much risk in the Rams doing this as Hekker is VERY likely to remain on the roster for the remainder of his contract, meaning the dead cap hits down the line will hardly be a factor.
UPDATE:
The Rams and Johnny Hekker have now agreed to a one-year contract extension:
Rams and four-time All-Pro punter Johnny Hekker reached agreement on a 1-year, $4.25 million contract extension that included $3 million in guaranteed money, per source. Hekker now has five years and $18.75 million left on his deal with the Rams.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 7, 2019