AsylumGuido

The fact that fans are more concerned over dead money than the clubs themselves speaks volumes. Under the next CBA the cap is likely to skyrocket as there are several new revenue sources that will be factored into the new calculation, as well as an increase in the percentage of revenues allotted to the players. As it sits now the 2020 cap looks to be just north of $200 million. By 2025 that figure could easily be approaching $300 million. By pushing that previously expensed cap in the future it becomes a far smaller percentage of the overall cap.

You can also look at dead money in two totally different ways. The most common form of dead money is in the form of unearned capital. This is the case where a player fails to perform to the club's expectations and is cut or traded with guarantees remaining on their contract. The other form is earned capital which is restructured into future years as in the case of Drew Brees. This money has been earned, but is simply being accounted for in a future period. Because of the inflation of the cap is actually results in savings for the club's books.

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill