This offseason, the New Orleans Saints are really up against it.
Not only did this team fail to make the postseason, but they enter this offseason with the worst financial situation in the entire NFL. The Saints are dead last in 2024 cap space, entering this offseason $83.6 million over the cap.
You read that correctly, and yes, it is going to be extremely difficult for the team not only to get under the cap, but make any significant additions to the roster.
It can be done through contract restructures and player cuts, but it will take a lot of work. And remember, restructures will often times add void years to the end of players' deals, which will only push problems further down the road.
To begin with, the Saints could opt for a few bold moves to try and get closer to the cap.
1. Designate Taysom Hill as post-June 1 cut
As dynamic a weapon as Taysom Hill can be for the Saints, he can also be equally useless. New Orleans has made Hill a big part of this offense, financially speaking, but he hardly has a consistent role.
Last season, Hill had four games with at least nine rushing attempts. At the same time, he had five games with two or less carries.
Looking at his receiving involvement, Hill ended the year with seven games which saw him receive one or less target. He also received at least four targets in five different games.
There is too much volatility with Hill to warrant keeping him around. This offense needs to commit to Derek Carr under center, establish a clear running identity and, once and for all, fix the tight end position and get themselves "the guy" at that position.
If Hill was designated as a post-June 1 cut, that move would save New Orleans $10 million.
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2. Designate Alvin Kamara as post-June 1 cut
Another post-June 1 cut the Saints could make is a bit spicier than Hill, but could also be necessary. In this instance, we play a bit of fortune teller.
Running back Alvin Kamara is going to be 29 years old in July. Recent history would tell us that the Saints should cut him and not look back one bit. A 29-year-old running back with as much usage in both the running and receiving game is destined to fall of the face of the earth very soon.
Kamara proved he is still a capable starter in 2023, but his numbers were certainly down. His 3.9 yards per carry were the second-lowest in his career, while his 6.2 yards per reception were by far a career worst.
If the Saints made this move, it would save them $11 million against the cap. They still have Jamaal Williams and second-year pro Kendre Miller, whom the team hopes can have a healthy offseason and become much more comfortable and involved.
Kamara isn't far from completely dropping off in production, and the Saints may as well say goodbye before it's too late.
3. Restructure Derek Carr's contract
Finally, the biggest move the Saints could make would recoup over 25 percent of the money they're over the cap right now. Quarterback Derek Carr's contract is set up in a way that would allow the team to restructure it and save them $23 million in doing so.
The "bold" part of this, though, is that it guarantees Carr would stay in New Orleans for 2025, rather than looking for his replacement like some have suggested. The Saints wouldn't be able to get out of his contract after the coming season. Now, that might not be a negative.
Carr did finish the 2023 season strong, and New Orleans' offensive strategy also lacked an identity for much of the year. Cutting Kamara and Hill could allow this team to enter into a new era, building around Carr and Chris Olave, getting the run game more into a rhythm with a two-headed monster (hopefully) and building the tight end position the way it should be.
Carr is still a very good quarterback in this league, and committing to him for two more years gives the team peace of mind at the most important position in this game.