The Saints have quick outs to some big-time, salary cap-breaking contracts
The New Orleans Saints will have an opportunity to get out of a few unwanted contracts in the next few seasons if they want to.
The last 12 months have been entertaining for the New Orleans Saints diehard fanbase.
The team has some shortcomings last season as they struggled to advance past the first round of the 2020 playoffs. They’ll look to have better luck this season. However, the real interesting part comes in the 2021 offseason.
The Saints have some massive deals that they won’t want to get off.
Players like Terron Armstead, Michael Thomas, and Alvin Kamara on the offensive side of the ball will be around for several more seasons. Defensively, Demario Davis and Cameron Jordan won’t be going anywhere either.
Aside from those staples, there will be some contracts being taken a closer look at this offseason. Andrus Peat’s deal will be one of them.
After drafting an offensive lineman with their first pick in the last two drafts, the team opted to give Peat a massive deal. It shocked many in the fanbase as Peat, who had been injury-prone throughout his career, was retained for an ugly five years and $57.5 million.
Peat would have a $23 million cap hit this season and over a $19 million cap hit next season. Following that, Peat’s dead cap will be $7.8, $5.2, and $2.6 million. They’ll have that out after the second season if they want it.
Another contract they may not be so fond of is Kwon Alexander, a player they traded for to fill a weakness in the team’s linebacking corps. Alexander has played well in the Big Easy, but his deal may not be one they continue.
He’s on a four-year $54 million deal. While Alexander has been a great addition, the team can get off his deal next season without any dead cap for the two remaining years.
With a third-round pick in Zack Baun hopefully coming into the fold, the Saints should be able to strengthen their unit as he develops. Not having Alexander next season wouldn’t be a huge loss, and it would be huge savings.
Another option could be Malcolm Jenkins. After the 2021 season, they could opt out of his deal and have just $6.75 in dead cap for his last two seasons.
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All three could be cut, and they still have a capable team, especially if they want to bring back Marcus Williams and other high-profile players.