Every single one of them! My God, this is not that hard to understand! I'm not saying some FA deals may not have been worth it. I AM saying that ALL FA deals take away from CAP money. PERIOD.
At the very least, you should attempt to understand the logic behind Thompson's madness. You don't have to agree with it and you can choose to ignore that Ted got us a Super Bowl just THREE years ago, but at least you should attempt to understand his approach. Cuz.... by your line of questioning... you really don't.
Ted Thompson saves the Packers CAP space by re-upping our own players. It's not hard to understand. The closer to the end of a contract you get, the more money it costs teams. Now, we can debate who he's extended and the decisions he's made, some proved good and some not, but the fact is, it is prudent to re-up rather than delay it.
The Seahags, instead of re-upping a few of their key players, went and signed several free agents. Not just this year, but several over the course of a few years now. I'll use one small example. Michael Bennett only cost them 5 million to get under contract for one year. That's not much at all but the fact is, that's just another 5 million they can't use towards a signing bonus to get somebody extended. THAT is how teams get in trouble and THAT is why some teams are crappy for several years in a row (like 27 teams below the Packers were the past 10 years) even if they have a decent run of a few years like the Searags and Niners.
This is the most important point IMO, that 5 million in "contract" to Bennett is basically worth TWICE that in signing bonus to a player that might have two years left on his contract! So, instead of using that 5 million towards a signing bonus to re-up a key player, they contract for what amounts to a one year mercenary contract for Michael Bennett! Season ends... Michael Bennett and that 5 million is gone forever, they need to fill that hole Bennett left and an opportunity to re-up a player is lost! Compounding the issue is that they need to start planning for a giant pay-day for Wilson! NIGHT-MARE
Below is a link to a complete rundown of Seattle's 2014 CAP issues. The authors last line tells all that needs to be said. "The Seahawks simply lack the cap flexibility to avoid major changes to the roster in the coming offseason."
I would not trade this roster and CAP situation for the Packers in a million years!
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ahead-for-the-seattle-seahawks-2014-offseason