Former Broncos general manager Ted Sundquist believes the market for free agent linebacker Brian Urlacher will begin to pick up in June. He believes this because teams will start cutting more veterans after Junes 1st.
When a player with multiple years remaining on his contract is released after June 1, only the prorated bonus money for that upcoming season counts against that year’s salary cap in the form of dead money. The rest of the remaining prorated bonus money accelerates onto the following year’s salary cap.
Sundquist thinks Urlacher, who turns 35 later this month, will be a viable option for teams that free up additional cap space before training camps begin in July.
“I think once we get past that June 1 cut where a lot of teams are going to let some guys go because of cap reasons and there is going to be some street free agents out there, clubs are going to be focusing again on where they can find good, veteran talent that I can bring in at a bargain price,” Sundquist said. “When I say bargain price, I say something that fits with their cap situation as they head into training camp. I think Urlacher is going to get mixed into that group. I think a lot of clubs right now are waiting to see who is going to be released after June 1 and then they’ll make their moves on high name veteran players before they enter into camp.”
Sundquist would think about signing Urlacher if he had a need at inside linebacker.
“Absolutely, I absolutely would,” Sundquist said. “Now, is Brian Urlacher the same guy he was a number of years ago? No. But he brings a savvy, an understanding, an instinct and a hard-nose style of play that you can build around. I look for players at this particular point in their career to raise the level of other players around them. So yes, I would (take a strong look at him).”
Urlacher still has something to offer. He had a solid season in 2012, but he’s certainly running out of gas t this point in his career.
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