The New Orleans Saints face a salary-cap crisis in 2021

[My3Sons]

The Joneses have struggled to build a winner in the Cap Era. I believe the current cap situation of the Saints should serve as notice to the rest of the league of how kicking contract dollars to future years can become a problem.
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...-cap-experts-are-unsure-how-theyll-escape-it/

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

It's really funny because I keep hearing different projections about the salary cap and a lot of them were saying they thought it would be closer to $195 million. The moves that they mention in the article clear up around 40 million in space for them and I am sure they have some high-dollar guys that they can restructure just like we always do. However the people that have talked about trading back or deck going to New Orleans it's pretty obvious to see that would be out of the question.

 

[PAPPYDOG]

The Joneses have struggled to build a winner in the Cap Era. I believe the current cap situation of the Saints should serve as notice to the rest of the league of how kicking contract dollars to future years can become a problem.
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...-cap-experts-are-unsure-how-theyll-escape-it/

The Cap doesn't apply for the Cowboys!

Just ask some folks here in the CZ.....hey Rockport care to give us your wisdom on the matter?

 

[John813]

They can free up 75 million by:
Brees retiring, cutting Malcom Brown, Nick Eason, Lattimore(or trade), Taysom Hill, Janoris Jenkins, Emmanuel Sanders, Rankins, and then cutting or trading Ramczyk and Kwon Alexander.

Some of those guys will have trade value.

Guys like Cam Jordan Can restructure and save roughly 7mil for 2021.
Michael Thomas can be restructure, convert 11.6mil to a bonus, and save ~8mil in cap space.



Add in the cap isn't set, and the rumors the NFL may allow teams to borrow cap from future years.

It's really not that hard. They will have to shed some talent, but they will still have their young core locked up.

They will probably "rebuild" the next few years.

 

[CouchCoach]

The NFL and NFLPA haven't decided on the cap for this year but the Saints are not the only one over a 175M cap. They've got quite a bit company.

 

[Hennessy_King]

I read the cap as something different lol

 

[Londonboy]

Agree that the Saints are in a cap mess.
But the Saints knew that Brees was nearing the end and tried to squeeze out 1 last run at a SB before moving on.
It didn't work and now they'll be in Dogsville for a couple of years, having to trade or release expensive vets, but I don't blame them for trying.
2022 & 2023 will likely yield high draft picks (plus whatever they get in the fire sale) to get a QB to rebuild around and in a couple of years they'll be out of cap hell and building around a young QB entering his prime, with money to spend.

 

[atlantacowboy]

The Joneses have struggled to build a winner in the Cap Era. I believe the current cap situation of the Saints should serve as notice to the rest of the league of how kicking contract dollars to future years can become a problem.
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...-cap-experts-are-unsure-how-theyll-escape-it/

Thats phooey. The Saints have been legit super bowl contenders for years. They got derailed this past season when Brees broke all those ribs and came back a shell of himself. You can't plan for something like that happening.

Now Brees will retire (most likely) and the Saints will cut a bunch of expensive vets........call it tanking for a year....... Peyton will find his next QB prodigy and rebuild. Only NE has been able to maintain excellence more than 3-4 years in a row in the cap era. But, I'd rather be on that cycle than the Cowboys mediocre cycle and never have a chance.

 

[acr731]

This is the only cap I'm interested in....

 

[CouchCoach]

Agree that the Saints are in a cap mess.
But the Saints knew that Brees was nearing the end and tried to squeeze out 1 last run at a SB before moving on.
It didn't work and now they'll be in Dogsville for a couple of years, having to trade or release expensive vets, but I don't blame them for trying.
2022 & 2023 will likely yield high draft picks (plus whatever they get in the fire sale) to get a QB to rebuild around and in a couple of years they'll be out of cap hell and building around a young QB entering his prime, with money to spend.

They've shown themselves to be good evaluators of talent and done a nice job building around Brees.

They're also in a division with ATL and CAR in a rebuild mode and TB with a QB nearing the end, at least he should be. Brady might be the first NFL player to still be active and eligible for Medicare.

 

[Flamma]

They needed experts to figure that out? How dumb do they think everyone is? It's freaking simple math.

 

[JBS]

They can free up 75 million by:
Brees retiring, cutting Malcom Brown, Nick Eason, Lattimore(or trade), Taysom Hill, Janoris Jenkins, Emmanuel Sanders, Rankins, and then cutting or trading Ramczyk and Kwon Alexander.

Some of those guys will have trade value.

Guys like Cam Jordan Can restructure and save roughly 7mil for 2021.
Michael Thomas can be restructure, convert 11.6mil to a bonus, and save ~8mil in cap space.



Add in the cap isn't set, and the rumors the NFL may allow teams to borrow cap from future years.

It's really not that hard. They will have to shed some talent, but they will still have their young core locked up.

They will probably "rebuild" the next few years.

It's really not that hard? Is this a joke or what? Do you have any idea who some of those names are? Those are their best players..

That's like saying Dallas can shed cap, they just need to cut Z Martin, L. Collins, A. Cooper and D. Lawrence...yeah not that hard..you just automatically go to being the worst team in the entire nfl...Great idea

 

[John813]

It's really not that hard? Is this a joke or what? Do you have any idea who some of those names are? Those are their best players..

That's like saying Dallas can shed cap, they just need to cut Z Martin, L. Collins, A. Cooper and D. Lawrence...yeah not that hard..you just automatically go to being the worst team in the entire nfl...Great idea

If they need to get under the cap, there's a solution. They cut or have to trade guys to get under it.
Until we know the final number for the cap, it's all speculation on how much teams may have to shed.

They can only restructure so many players, and they went all in with Brees these past few years. They will have to face some consequences for giving out a lot of contracts.

Guys like Ramczyk are due for a new deal soon, so, they may be able to extend him and give him a reduced 2021 cap hit.

5 second google search shows I'm not alone in my thoughts on how they can do it
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/agents-take-heres-how-saints-can-dig-out-of-2021-salary-cap-mess-potential-cap-casualties-and-restructures/

Potential Cap Casualties
It will be necessary for the Saints to part ways with several key contributors from this season's team. $13.4 million of cap room can be gained by releasing linebacker Kwon Alexander, who was acquired from the 49ers at the midseason trading deadline. The Saints eventually would be on the hook for $1.2 million with Alexander, who tore an Achilles late in the season, under the NFL collective bargaining agreement's injury protection benefit since he had remaining contract years if his injury prevents him from playing in 2021.

Releasing tight end Jared Cook before his $8.04 million roster bonus is due on the second day of the 2021 league year (March 18) will create $9.1 million of cap space. Cornerback Janoris Jenkins' $11.2 million 2021 salary, of which $1.2 million is a fully guaranteed roster bonus, and $14.2 million cap number are luxuries the Saints probably can't afford. Parting ways with Jenkins would free up $7 million of cap space. Center/guard Nick Easton's $6.5 million 2021 salary (on a $6.875 million cap number) is too much for a backup. His departure would create $5.875 million of cap room.

$5 million of cap space can be gained from cutting defensive tackle Malcolm Brown. He was only on the field for 33 percent of New Orleans' defensive snaps despite playing 13 games. Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders' $10 million cap number could put him in jeopardy too -- although his $2 million roster bonus is guaranteed. Cutting him would create $4 million of cap space.

 

[CouchCoach]

The cap isn't just a problem for the Saints, it's a problem for the NFL. There isn't enough money for the teams under to afford players that are available because of their own team's cap problems. At 175M, it just doesn't work.

 

[JBS]

If they need to get under the cap, there's a solution. They cut or have to trade guys to get under it.
Until we know the final number for the cap, it's all speculation on how much teams may have to shed.

They can only restructure so many players, and they went all in with Brees these past few years. They will have to face some consequences for giving out a lot of contracts.

Guys like Ramczyk are due for a new deal soon, so, they may be able to extend him and give him a reduced 2021 cap hit.

5 second google search shows I'm not alone in my thoughts on how they can do it
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/agents-take-heres-how-saints-can-dig-out-of-2021-salary-cap-mess-potential-cap-casualties-and-restructures/

Potential Cap Casualties
It will be necessary for the Saints to part ways with several key contributors from this season's team. $13.4 million of cap room can be gained by releasing linebacker Kwon Alexander, who was acquired from the 49ers at the midseason trading deadline. The Saints eventually would be on the hook for $1.2 million with Alexander, who tore an Achilles late in the season, under the NFL collective bargaining agreement's injury protection benefit since he had remaining contract years if his injury prevents him from playing in 2021.

Releasing tight end Jared Cook before his $8.04 million roster bonus is due on the second day of the 2021 league year (March 18) will create $9.1 million of cap space. Cornerback Janoris Jenkins' $11.2 million 2021 salary, of which $1.2 million is a fully guaranteed roster bonus, and $14.2 million cap number are luxuries the Saints probably can't afford. Parting ways with Jenkins would free up $7 million of cap space. Center/guard Nick Easton's $6.5 million 2021 salary (on a $6.875 million cap number) is too much for a backup. His departure would create $5.875 million of cap room.

$5 million of cap space can be gained from cutting defensive tackle Malcolm Brown. He was only on the field for 33 percent of New Orleans' defensive snaps despite playing 13 games. Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders' $10 million cap number could put him in jeopardy too -- although his $2 million roster bonus is guaranteed. Cutting him would create $4 million of cap space.

Nobody ever questioned any of these things..you said it was easy..if you think getting rid of all your good plauers is "easy" than sure..it's very easy

 

[Doomsday101]

Cowboys have managed their cap, I find it interesting that some of the same people talking about cap here, were moaning because Dallas does not pay kings ransom in FA. Dallas has looked to mid tier FA instead of breaking the bank in FA. As for this years cap it will be lower because of this pandemic but what continues to be left out is 2022 NFL will be signing new TV contracts and those contracts are expected to be well over 100 billion, doubling what is has been. This will have a major effect on the cap as it will bring big increases in the cap in 2022 and beyond.

 

[charron]

At some point you have got to go all in to win a SB. They've built a super competitive team that has been really close for a few years now. Same way Philly finally made it and won a SB and now both these teams will have to have a firesale and rebuild the next few years. Wouldn't most of us give anything to atleast be competitive in the playoffs?

 

[bigE79]

They've shown themselves to be good evaluators of talent and done a nice job building around Brees.

They're also in a division with ATL and CAR in a rebuild mode and TB with a QB nearing the end, at least he should be. Brady might be the first NFL player to still be active and eligible for Medicare.

And I'd still take him over any qb in the league right now.

 

[Ranched]

.....hey Rockport care to give us your wisdom on the matter?

 

[Risen Star]

Just a reminder of how lucky we are that we can always do whatever we want because our cap is managed so well.