Salary Cap Penalty Could Force Arizona Cardinals To Keep Kevin Kolb

This offseason there has been much speculation as to whether or not the Arizona Cardinals would say goodbye to Kevin Kolb. The cap numbers say they won’t.

According to the numbers of ESPN writer Chris Russell, should the Cardinals decide to release Kolb after only one year — and prior to paying him a $7 million roster bonus on March 17th — the move could well hurt more than it helps.

The cost to cut Kolb would be an $8.3 million cap penalty, which any NFL General Manager will tell you is far too big a sacrifice to make.

So does this mean that the Cardinals will not go after another quarterback? Not necessarily. They can keep Kolb on as a backup and go get either a free agent or draft a quarterback — just as any team could. What will hinder them is the cap room they have to sacrifice to have Kolb on the roster. The number won’t be as bad as the number for releasing Kolb, but it will be high enough to give the Cardinals headaches when it comes to trying to sign big name contracts to their franchise.

Here’s one thing you can take to the bank though — if Peyton Manning goes to Arizona, it won’t be for money. No chance the Cardinals can bid high enough now.

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