Philly Leader

Bryce Johnston, the Senior Vice President/Tertiary Football Executive for the Philadelphia Eagles, plays a crucial role in managing the team's salary cap and financial strategies. His responsibilities include planning and executing salary cap strategies, player acquisition, contract negotiation, and ensuring compliance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Johnston describes his job as requiring a forward-thinking approach: "It is a job that requires having your mind live in the future most of the time," he said. He focuses on how current decisions will impact future scenarios, especially during events like the NFL Draft.

He emphasizes a proactive strategy rather than an austerity mindset: "The goal is to be able to do whatever we want to do at any given time," Johnston explained. This approach allows the Eagles to pursue opportunities that align with their goals while maintaining flexibility within the salary cap constraints.

Under Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie, the Eagles aim to gain competitive advantages by thinking outside the box. Johnston's work involves maintaining up-to-date financial statements of the roster and collaborating with player agents. He also reviews contracts from across the NFL to inform future decision-making and strategy.

Johnston's journey began in Medford, New Jersey, leading him through York College and Georgetown University Law Center. He initially created EaglesCap.com before contributing to OverTheCap.com while working as a corporate lawyer. An internship opportunity with the Eagles prompted him to leave his law firm position.

Reflecting on his role, Johnston said: "The thing you realize very quickly is that what you see publicly is just the tip of the iceberg." His focus remains on financial strategy and salary-cap management without evaluating players directly.

A highlight for Johnston is developing unique contract structures that benefit both players and the team: "These types of situations often originate out of necessity," he noted. The Eagles' recent success includes winning their second NFC Championship in three seasons.

Johnston sees assembling high-value contracts as an accomplishment despite challenging rules: "We're always working on enabling us to continue doing that," he stated. His work ensures that while winning remains paramount, financial considerations are closely monitored.

"Our job is never finished," Johnston concluded. The continuous exploration of new methods aims to enhance roster flexibility and talent acquisition for sustained team improvement.