Falcons guard Andy Levitre took a $2.5 million pay cut in his restricted contract that lowered his salary cap number from $8.3 million to $5.6 million, according to NFLPA documents.
The team will not announce the deal. Levitre’s base salary was lowered to $3.5 million and is fully guaranteed for next season.
The starting left guard was entering the final year of his contract and was a candidate to restructure as the Falcons looked to reduce his salary cap number.
General manager Thomas Dimitroff told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution at last week’s NFL scouting combine that Levitre would be back next season and would not be a salary cap casualty.
The Falcons acquired Levitre in a trade with the Titans late in the exhibition season of 2015 as they looked to bolster the offensive line. Levitre started every game since joining the Falcons until he suffered a torn triceps injury in Week 13 of last season. He returned for the regular-season finale and played briefly before he re-aggravated the injury. He was placed on injured reserve and missed the wild card playoff game against the Rams and the divisional playoff game against the Eagles.
After Levitre’s restructuring, along with the cuts of tight end Levine Toilolo and defensive end Derrick Shelby, the Falcons created $9.7 million in room under their $178.3 million salary.
With the free agency set to start on Wednesday, the Falcons now have $17.5 million under the cap.
The number could grow if they are able to complete an extension for quarterback Matt Ryan. His currently salary cap number of $19.2 million could be lowered to between $9 million and $12 million depending on the structure of the deal.
About the Author
