How Saints can create more cap space entering free agency
The New Orleans Saints entered the 2024 offseason around $80 million over the salary cap. They’ve since did what has become an annual offseason routine for the Saints, a ton of contract restructures to clear out cap space. Now, with 2024 free agency set to start on March 13, New Orleans is just roughly $10 million over the cap.
That means the work isn’t done. Not only do the Saints need to get under the salary cap so that they can be a cap compliant team, but they must clear enough cap space so that they can make signings in free agency, and have room left over to sign the eventual 2024 Draft class.
Of course, there’s always a path to getting it done. New Orleans still has several high-paid veterans whose contracts they haven’t touched yet. Restructures for Alvin Kamara, Demario Davis, Ryan Ramczyk, Taysom Hill, and Tyrann Mathieu are all still possible.
Saints need to clear $9 million in cap space with the Jordan restructure processed. Players that have not been restructured include Ramczyk, Kamara, Davis, Hill and Mathieu.
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) March 6, 2024
While New Orleans will most likely utilize that avenue, there’s another move the Saints could make to clear even more cap space. The team could decide to move on from Taysom Hill.
Saints could move Taysom Hill to create more cap space
Do-it-all offensive weapon Taysom Hill is under contract for two more seasons. In 2024, he’s owed $10 million, with a $15.789 cap hit. He’s owed the same salary in 2025 with the same cap hit. These are the final two seasons of the unique, four-year, $40 million contract extension he signed back in 2021.
Hill has been doing his part, bringing value to the Saints’ offense in a variety of ways. In 2023, Taysom Hill ran the ball 81 times for 401 yards and four touchdowns, caught 33 passes for 291 yards and two more touchdowns, and completed six passes for 83 yards and a touchdown. He’s undoubtedly a weapon for New Orleans.
However, when it comes to painful cap casulties, it’s fair to say that Taysom Hill is the most expendable of the Saints veterans. When compared to guys like Alvin Kamara and Marshon Lattimore, two names that frequently come up as cut/trade candidates, it’s safe to say fans would rather see Taysom Hill go.
If New Orleans decided to trade or cut Hill with a post-June 1 designation, the move would create $10 million in cap space. That money could go a long way in helping the Saints build a contending roster.
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