The reason is economics . According to the above web site the release fee for Cooley is 4.1 million dollars as opposed to paying him 6.2 mil . If we wait one season that fee becomes 1.8 mil as opposed to paying him 5.7 mil.

I agree 6.2 mil is too high however the team is virtually set this season and the cap savings next season help us more .

I dont like restructuring . then future money becomes guaranteed and then we have the same cap mess we had prior to this regimes arrival .

You keep him for the cap reasons and you give a loyal player (29 yrs old ) a chance to bounce back and prove he is still an above avg TE who can push for pro bowls and he is insurance against davis slipping up again .

At this point you cant rely on Paul to be an answer . I would love it if he was but how about you let the guy learn the position ?