This is all funny. People acting like the Saints should have planned 2-3 years ago for Covid. They made their run with what they had and now because an unprecedented situation they are going to have to make some significant moves. If this was a normal year, the cap for 2021 would have been somewhere around 210m. So they would have been in a hole, but not anywhere like they would have been. I would not be surprised if the League comes up with a way to help resolve things. But if not the Saints will have two options. They can basically do what the Dolphins did before the 2019-20 season and trade off anyone of value with a contract and release players that didn't play up to their contract. With good coaching and smart moves, you can retool quickly. In Coach Flores first year they struggled early with a ton of young players but finished competitively at the end of the season to go 5-11. Just one year later, they made it to 10-6. They had $40m in dead cap in 2020....they have less than 500k going into this season. So their cap hell and total rebuild has gone pretty well, and they have cap space to play with going forward.
So, if you are New Orleans you are going to look for a QB to develop, unless you think Taysom Hill can be a top 10 guy. You have decent talent on the roster but will look to take a step back for a year or two as you focus on the draft as you get your cap back under control. If over the next couple years you don't think you have the leader you need, you will have plenty of cap room look to free agency. Basically, no outside free agents of significance are signed this offseason or next.
Drew Brees doesn't officially retire and Saints make him a June cut, picking up $25m in room. His cap number in 2021 goes from $36.15m to $11.15m. His 2022 cap hit before the move was $11.15m...and it remains that amount.
Cameron Jordan is likely to play out his contract. Using overthecap's calculator, you can gain $10-11m depending on whether you restructure or extend him. So you are at 35m saved.
Terron Armstead is in the last year of his deal, is a good LT and is only 29 now. Again you can pick up 6.7-8m with a restructure or extension. He is a guy you likely would extend for a 4-5 year deal....so I am going with the 8m number. That is 43m saved. And the only player loss is the one you knew you would have: Brees.
Michael Thomas signed a new deal a couple years ago built for restructuring. Doing it saves 8.8m. Up to almost 52m saved without a loss of talent.
Taysom Hill may be the QB of the near future, he is in the last year of his deal and an extension would give you 8.9m in savings. You have your defacto starter while you are trying to develop a rookie. We are talking about a head coach that is pretty good with QBs. Up to 61m for this year.
Marshon Lattimore is in the last year of his deal. HE would be a guy they would look to extend, and overthecap says they could save up to 7.4m by doing so. Around 68m in cap space saved.
Heck, this is easier than expected and we haven't even started cutting people. Let's take a break from restructures and extensions and bring out the turk.
Emmanuel Sanders....June cut, buh bye. Saves 6m this year. Up to 74m saved. He's a good receiver but not a difference maker.
Kwon Alexander, been nice to know ya. 13.5m savings. That's 87.5m. Again, a good player but not a difference maker at LB. LB is one of the easier positions to replace.
Janoris Jenkins, wrong side of 30, cut now, save $7m and get him off the books sooner. 94.5m. He isn't going to be around for the next window.
Alright, another restructure....Andrus Peat, young starting OL with a long term contract. Can you say restructure? Can save 6m, upping freed space to 100.5m.
Let's keep that OL together. Ryan Ramczyk in the last year of his deal, and extension can save up to $8m according to overthecap. That is 108.5m. So even in a worst case scenario. We have cleared enough money to get them out of the hole.
Doesn't even consider tradeable talent.
Oh wait, for ***** and giggles let's cut the vet punter and placekicker. Saves 4m, probably enough to sign the draft picks.
Their GM has been around and knows the business. They will get it done and done without as much drama as people think. Are they going to be a Super Bowl Contender in 2021 or even 2022? Probably not...but they could be in great shape in 2023.
People are trying to pin Dallas' problems for the last 25 years on the salary cap. The salary cap hasn't been the problem. The crappy coaching staffs have been the reason. Garrett and Phillips were bums. Parcells had them on the right track but wasn't up for finishing the task. Dave Campo? Chang Gailey? The lack of an inspiring coach has been the downfall.
