Saints rework more contracts, move under salary cap

By Ross Jackson

NEW ORLEANS — With still a few possible moves up their sleeves, the New Orleans Saints are now under the salary cap. Just in time for the next wave of free agency, where the Saints may be a bit more active, three contract restructures are now known that help New Orleans’ cap situation quite a bit in 2025. 

Per Katherine Terrell of ESPN, the Saints restructured the contracts of defensive end Carl Granderson and right guard Cesar Ruiz. 

These are two moves that we projected would follow the major restructure of quarterback Derek Carr’s contract. Together, the two moves save just over $11.6 million against the cap, assuming both are full restructures. 

Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football also reported a third move, a restructure to defensive tackle Khalen Saunders. This would save New Orleans about $2.1 million. 

Saunders was campaigning for more snaps days ago on social media. Now he may get them in defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s new defensive approach. Saunders could be one of the leaders in rotation at nose tackle while newly acquired defensive lineman Davon Godchaux rotates with him and at 3-4 defensive end. 

However, the Saints have also extended defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd and still have second-year interior defender Khristian Boyd and last year’s trade acquisition John Ridgeway III to figure in as well. So a rotation should still be expected. 

All told these moves could save upwards of $13.7 million against the cap. More moves can still be made Including another restructure to linebacker Pete Werner (saves about $2.4 million) and oft-suggested contract adjustments to veterans like defensive end Cameron Jordan and do-it-all tight end Taysom Hill.