New Orleans Saints release lineman Nick Easton, save $5.7 million

Offensive lineman Nick Easton has been released in a move the New Orleans Saints inevitably did to save cap space for the 2021 offseason.

In a not too surprising move, the New Orleans Saints have parted ways with versatile OL Nick Easton. This move will save the Saints somewhere in the neighborhood of $5.7 million in cap room.

The Saints are infamously cap strapped this year being $100 million-plus over the salary cap that is expected to shrink in the offseason.

Easton was signed as a depth piece from Minnesota and never quite found his footing in New Orleans. He was an extremely serviceable lineman and should be able to find a home. Teams like Cincinnati could use a player like Easton.

Between a mix of injuries and getting shuffled on the depth chart Easton saw the field as a backup and did not perform all that well in those moments. The 6-foot-3 28-year-old is versatile which could be why he does eventually land elsewhere. Easton can transition from guard to center.

That said, as far as the cap is concerned, players like Jared Cook may not return. Sheldon Rankins and others could also be on the list. The big names like Trey Hendrickson may be able to take a small discount to stay in the Big Easy.

Expect more moves similar to this to come out of New Orleans this offseason as Mickey Loomis looks to work his cap magic once again.

Now, future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees did save the team over $20 million by restructuring his contract. With a salary cap that will be a bit above what some expected, the Saints should be able to claw their way out of the $74.6 million they’re currently in the whole.

The Saints will have an active offseason, and this is only the start of the plethora of moves they’re expected to make in the next several weeks.