I have read other posts where an owner felt he was unable to bid as high as another owner and needed help in understanding why this happened.

I need some help understanding where I erred in trying to sign LG- C Alexander to a free agent contract.

(I just noticed this am, when preparing to write this post, that I am only $6,672,250 under the salary cap for this year, and since the 1st year of salary + bonus was $7,5 M, that might be the reason right there? If so, then I NEVER really offered him anything, but I'm getting ahead of myself.)

I offered a 6 year contract which totaled $45,531,809. This averages out to $7,588,63483 / year.

Another team offered (and signed a contract with Alexander) $32,076,044 for 6 years. Average per year is $5,346,007.33. The difference between the two offers: $2,242627.51/ year, $13, ***,765 total difference between the two offers.

I thought the player accepted the highest offer, and was not aware of other considerations factoring into his decision. Night life? Climate? Temperament of Owner? Wishes to play for a particular coach? Are all possible reasons that I once read and have forgotten?

IF the reason is because I wasn't low enough below the salary cap (for this season), I missed whatever warning or notification that advised me of such.

I realize I should be aware of where I am, as it relates to my team, at ALL times. And this is not at all a complaint of any kind. Just trying to understand where I goofed.

Thank you in advance for your help and comments.

The number one factor is the highest bonus.

here is the player in question
Clifford Alexander = https://mfn27.myfootballnow.com/player/4499

here is the team that released him so those 2 teams could sign him
New York = https://mfn27.myfootballnow.com/team/view/18

here is the team he rejected
Washington = https://mfn27.myfootballnow.com/team/view/20

here is the team he signed with
Chicago = https://mfn27.myfootballnow.com/team/view/28

Ok with that out of that way I think the reason he went with Chicago over Washington is that he could start at RG with Chicago knowing Chicago's best RG is 78/84 if you don't count Clifford Alexander .

Awhile Washington's best RG is at 87/87 so that would mean he would be the backup most of his career which probably was a factor going with Chicago over Washington.

I would say what is more a problem is if you look at his transactions you see that NEW YORK drafted him in 2019 as a RT then moved him to RG then played 2 years there then the OWNER there decided what the heck I am going to release him in 2021 which by that happening that player was on the free market for anyone to pick up.

btw if you look at NEW YORK's team they could have used him either at LT , LG , RG or even RT depending on his cur/fit especially if it is higher than the players that New York has at LG , RG or RT .
basically he would be best player at LT because NY doesn't have a LT to speak of.

Per JDB, the only thing that matters is money with signing bonus (i.e. the guaranteed portion) the highest impact and salary a much lesser one. The bidding teams' rosters have nothing to do with it,.

Chicago offered 11,256,162 in bonus. If you didn't offer more, that's the reason.

actually I can't remember exactly how much the bonus offer was. I'm sure it was close, as it was MORE than S1.8M and less than $2.0M.

It's all good. A lesson learned.