I don't need a lesson on how it works. I know how it works. I hate how it works. Because we DID sign those contracts for those old guys and we ARE stuck with those players while they are in decline. You can't separate the way the team spends money and who they spend it on. They are interlinked.
You seem to think that the whole thing is about money when it's really about roster flexibility and sustained success. We all watched Demario, Tyrann and Cam lose a step last year. All of them. And because of the cap management system in place they will more than likely ALL be on the team this year too while being another year older and likely to lose another step.
Most other teams leave 10% or so of the cap to allow for adjustments like this. I'm not even asking for 10%. I'd settle for 2% or heck even -5%. Only 3 teams are beyond -5% of the cap, the Bills (~-6%, the Browns (~-11%) and the Saints at -20%. You may think that's it's fine and normal, but no other team is doing it like this and the closest to it is the Browns. The Browns.