The Washington Redskins are signing safety Landon Collins to a massive six-year deal worth $84 million, according to multiple reports. The deal includes $44.5 million in guaranteed money, however, as details of the deal surface, the Redskins have worked magic around their salary cap.
According to Spotrac, $31 million is fully guaranteed at signing of the contract. That would include his salaries of 2019 and 2020. In 2021, only $5 million is guaranteed, with the remaining $7.5 million being guaranteed on fifth league day of 2021 season or if he is injured going into the season.
While, Collins would have the highest annual average salary of any safety, his deal pans out to be more like a three-year deal worth $44.5 million.
After the 2021 season, the Redskins would have potential outs, as his contract would carry just a $6 million dead cap hit in 2022 and $3 million in the fifth year of the deal in 2023.
Another crazy detail how the Redskins were able to maneuver the cap hits. While Collins will receive $16 million in cash each of his first two seasons, the first year of the deal will only carry a cap hit of $4 million. That’s right, $4 million with a dead cap of $41 million.
The Redskins entered free agency with just under $13 million of salary cap space, landing Collins would put just a dent into the number. Washington is also linked as a “strong player” for free agent inside linebacker CJ Mosley. According to Spotrac’s figures, they can essentially make the deal with the available money after Collins’ contract kicks in.
Still, expect the Redskins to have their share of cap casualties. The team is reportedly shopping players under contract, including starting inside linebackers Zach Brown and Mason Foster. Nevertheless, the way it appears Collins’ contract is laid out, the Redskins are finding their way around their limited spending money.
