With three disappointing seasons in the NFL, an injury to recover from and now an offseason arrest and another citation in less than a week, many wonder why Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche is still on the roster. Entering the final year of his rookie contract, some have speculated that it doesn’t make financial sense to cut him because of his salary guarantees.
However, with some clarification, the Cardinals can cut ties with Nkemdiche and save money.
He is due more than $1.1 million in salary for 2019. He has a $400,000 roster bonus due in training camp. The Cardinals could cut him and save roughly $1.5 million in cap space.
Salary cap expert and former agent Joel Corry explains.
Because Nkemdiche is coming off an ACL injury, he does qualify for injury protection. The savings of $1.5 million drops to just under $1 million.
This being the case, it would make sense for the team to cut him. He won’t likely be ready to play anyway until at least midseason. He has added off-the-field headaches. He has been a disappointment overall.
Knowing there is a financial benefit to cutting him as well, there really isn’t any reason to keep him around.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
