It seems pretty clear that for each available player, we are evaluating them and then assigning a cap value based on that evaluation, and offering the player a contract in line with that value. In other words, we're offering deals based on what the player is actually worth, not on how much they can get overpaid.
Its not really rocket science, I mean look at New England, they have more cap room than us, and yet by not signing all these obvious hall of famers out there, they clearly arent interested in trying to win either. Yep, thee superbowls in the past few years by accident, clearly. The Steelers, wow they let the all pro Chris Hope go, they obviously cant be bothered to win in the NFL. Oh wait, they're the Superbowl Champions, and have been consistent contenders whilst being relatively quiet in free agency every single year. I can continue, but whats the point, nobody actually reads the posts opposing theirs around here.