When the argument is made that a change in the system that currently pays huge windfalls to unproven rookies would create more cap money for payments to veteran players, one of the responses is that the owners aren’t currently spending the money they have, even with a rookie pay scale that causes the first 10 or so to earn huge contracts upon entrance to the NFL.

In this regard, those opposed to a rookie pay scale might have a point.

As of August 25, less than two weeks from the start of the season, several teams have tons of cap space.

Leading the way are the Chiefs, who have $31.9 million in cap room even after signing the No. 5 overall pick, defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, and the No. 15 overall pick, offensive lineman Brendan Albert.

The Bucs have $27.8 million, and the Packers have $24.7 million.

The full list for all 32 teams is right here.

These three teams will be required to use a considerable chunk of the cash surplus in order to meet the salary floor, the minimum spending requirement that applies to every team.  This can be accomplished through extending contracts of key young players who have more than two NFL seasons.  The Chiefs, for example, could chew up a bunch of cap space by signing linebacker Derrick Johnson to a long-term deal, and by paying him a large roster bonus.

The problem with using a roster bonus instead of a signing bonus is that roster bonuses aren’t subject to forfeiture, if the player later gets into trouble or holds out.

For the Chiefs, however, there might be no choice; money needs to be spent, and there frankly aren’t many young players on the team with at least two NFL seasons who are worthy of it.