What Moves Will The New Orleans Saints Make This Off-Season?

March 13 is fast approaching. Free agency and contract buzz is engulfing the NFL world, and the New Orleans Saints are one of many teams with tough decisions to make.

Per ESPN, the Saints will restructure the contract of starting quarterback Derek Carr. The financial move is being made to comply with the updated NFL salary cap rules. New Orleans would save about $23 million with the contract reconstruction. The Saints currently have $76 million over the cap, the most in the NFL.

The money saved because of the Saints adjusting to this year’s cap figure also will make it harder in future years to move on from Carr. The restructuring means more money will be owed by the team down the line, making it harder for the Saints to move on from Carr due to the longer financial investment.

The decision to specifically target Carr’s salary also reveals the Saints’ unwavering confidence in the former Pro Bowl quarterback. Despite the team narrow missing the playoff last season with a 9-8 record, Carr threw for 3,878 yards with 25 touchdowns and only 8 interceptions. He also has two young, exciting wide receivers Rashid Shaheed and Chris Olave, who can get even better over the off-season.

To further meet the salary cap regulations, Carr won’t be the only player whose contract will be adjusted or even terminated. Tough decisions will have to be made about veteran running back Alvin Kamara and stalwart defensive end Cameron Jordan, who might end up becoming casualties of the team trying to adjust the team’s financial straits.

New Orleans was a decent team in 2023. But to become better in 2024, much conversation will be had about what to do with some of their aging stars, and how to meet the rules of the new salary cap.