Predominantly Orange
FanSided

Kareem Jackson’s 2019 cap hit helps Denver Broncos a lot

By Sayre Bedinger

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 4: Running back Phillip Lindsay #30 of the Denver Broncos is tackled by strong safety Kareem Jackson #25 of the Houston Texans in the first quarter of a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on November 4, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 4: Running back Phillip Lindsay #30 of the Denver Broncos is tackled by strong safety Kareem Jackson #25 of the Houston Texans in the first quarter of a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on November 4, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Denver Broncos have quite a bit of dead money this offseason, and Kareem Jackson helped ease the blow with a low 2019 cap hit.

The Denver Broncos’ first move in free agency was to go after Houston Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson.

Jackson fills an important need opposite Chris Harris Jr. in the Broncos’ defense, giving the team two physical, no-nonsense players at the position who have been playing at a high level for a very long time.

Because of Jackson’s production over the course of the past nine years, it was fitting that his third contract in the NFL would be a hefty one.

The Broncos gave Jackson a three-year, $33 million contract with $23 million in guaranteed money. One might assume with a contract including those numbers that the Broncos would take a significant cap hit this year, thus limiting their options in free agency otherwise.

That’s not the case at all.

Because of the breakdown of Jackson’s deal (which you can see in full on Spotrac) the Broncos are taking on just a $6 million cap hit in 2019.

Here’s a full breakdown of Jackson’s cap hit breakdowns in this contract:

2019: $6 million
2020: $14 million
2021: $13 million

Jackson’s 2021 season is a club option for the Broncos with a very team-friendly $3 million dead cap number.

Essentially, this is a two-year pact with a solid option for both sides if things work out the first two years.

Why are the Broncos pushing those bigger cap hits forward?

Well, first and foremost, they are not done making moves in free agency after signing Jackson and offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James.

Second, the Broncos have a ton of cap space beyond this year.

They are projected to have over $80 million in cap space next offseason, even after the Jackson signing.

That makes this move even smarter by the Broncos. Not only were they able to fill one of their biggest needs with a veteran player who fits what Vic Fangio and Ed Donatell want to do, they were able to get him with just a $6 million cap hit this year.

Next. Broncos free agency day two recap. dark

That leaves plenty of space for the team to make additional moves throughout the offseason, even after bringing in Joe Flacco and Ja’Wuan James.

Home/Broncos Free Agency