MDS pointed out on Friday that Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding wants to be cut now, so that he can immediately pick his next team. The Chargers apparently plan to cut him after Tuesday, at which time vested veterans must pass through waivers.
The Chargers will avoid $1.05 million of Kaeding’s $2 million salary if someone else claims him on waivers. Which overlooks a fairly important reality.
Who would pay Kaeding $1.05 million for the balance of the year?
He’s in the final year of his deal, so the only dibs a new team would be securing is the ability to apply the franchise tag. And if Kaeding was regarded as being that good, the Chargers would be keeping him.
It’s more likely that no team will claim Kaeding, that he’ll become a free agent, that he’ll be entitled to the balance of his salary from the Chargers, and that he’ll be free and clear to sign wherever he wants -- and keep both paychecks.