Saints continue to work to lower salary cap

As the cape creaks, the saints find themselves in the middle of a big one. And they worked diligently to get out of it.

The biggest chunk came from Drew Brees cutting his salary from $ 25 million to a minimum of $ 1.075 million. The move was initially seen as a way to keep Brees on the list until June 2, when an official retirement would limit his load cap for 2021 to $ 11.15 million. (It’s unclear whether he will actually retire; if he doesn’t, his cap will be $ 12.225 million.)

Other steps have been taken, ranging from cutting players (like, most recently, linebacker Kwon Alexander and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders) to restructuring contracts (like defensive end Cam Jordan and linebacker Demario Davis).

Others are sure to come. Cornerback Marshan Lattimore has a cash count and cap of $ 10.244 million in the option year of his 2017 first-round contract. Payment becomes fully guaranteed on the first day of the league year; the saints can avoid everything by cutting it off.

The surprising decision to apply the franchise tag on Marcus Williams’ security, at $ 10.612 million, complicates matters for the Saints. However, at any time before he accepts the franchise offer, the Saints can cancel it and completely clear the load cap.

The Saints could also create a net gain of $ 7 million by cutting or trading cornerback Janoris Jenkins. Over $ 6.5 million in net savings would be made by cutting or swapping Terron Armstead material.

One guy who likely won’t be traded is received Michael Thomas, as a transaction prior to June 1 would result in a cap charge ($ 20 million) that exceeds his 2021 cap number ($ 18.8 million). (After June 1, a Thomas transaction would generate $ 12.6 million in capitalization savings.)

However they do it, the Saints have no choice but to do it, one restructuring, one release, or one exchange at a time. It remains to be seen whether they have enough talent left to compete this year.