The New Orleans Saints contract breakdown: Secondary

The New Orleans Saints’ Contract Breakdown: Secondary

May 28, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Brandon Browner (39), strong safety Kenny Vaccaro (32), free safety Rafael Bush (25) and free safety Jairus Byrd (31) during organized team activities at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jun 2, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints free safety Jairus Byrd (31) during organized team activities at the New Orleans Saints Indoor Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Now this is really the big name in this position group. Jairus Byrd was signed by the Saints following the 2013 season to a 6-year $54,000,00 deal. This was the big splash no one thought the Saints could make, because of the limited cap space. Loomis made it happen, but now Who Dat Nation probably wishes it never would gone through.

Byrd has only forced three turnovers in this three years with the team. Injuries has held him back, but the bad play has been consistent. Byrd has not lived up to expectations and we could see the consequences this summer.

Byrd contract currently counts $10,900,000 against the cap and it would raise the dead cap by $18,900,000 if the Saints cut him right now. It obviously doesn’t make sense to cut Byrd at this point in time, but it could happen this offseason.

His cap hit will go up to $11,700,000, but the dead cap will go down to $8,000,000. This is still a lot, but it would free up $3,700,000 in cap space, something the Saints really could use to sign new players.

Byrd’s time in New Orleans seems to be coming to an end. Unless something miraculously happens this season, look for the Saints to cut Jairus Byrd and take the dead cap hit. It might just be worth it.

Jairus Byrd, Free Safety