Saints have talked with Marques Colston, WR has not been released yet, per Sean Payton
Marques Colston is still with the New Orleans Saints, according to head coach Sean Payton, who interviewed with ESPN on Monday at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Coach Payton said the New Orleans Saints have talked with Marques Colston, who is reportedly expected to be released any day now, however, he has not been cut yet.
It doesn’t mean he’s not going to be cut, but the “talks” they’ve had could mean both parties are trying to figure out a way to keep the veteran wideout in the Big Easy. The only way that would likely happen is if he takes a substantial pay cut.
The talks could also mean the Saints have informed Marques Colston about their plans to part ways with him, so don’t read too much into this. In fact, when mentioning Colston and departed guard Jahri Evans on Monday, Payton said they were leaders. Key word: were.
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New Orleans is set to take a $5.9 million cap hit from Colston in 2016. Releasing him would cost the Saints $2.7 million in dead money but save $3.2 against the cap for the new season. The Saints need all the cap relief they can get if they wish to make some noise in free agency.
However, their situation isn’t as bad as some make it out to be, especially if the expected extension deal is made with Drew Brees. Payton expressed his confidence that an agreement will be reached.
As for Marques Colston, in an unfortunate but natural turn of events, he got old and is no longer the mass-production contributor he once was for the Saints. As tough as it may be, releasing him would make sense both financially and from a performance standpoint, especially if the club is looking to address the wide receiver position in free agency and/or the draft.
The team has also expressed its faith in Brandon Coleman to rise to the occasion as the heir apparent to Colston, who is the franchise’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Unless things have changed over the past few days, I’m still expecting the Saints to part ways with one of the greatest players to ever wear the black and gold.