With the new league year just three weeks away, teams are beginning to make moves and try to get more financially set. The New Orleans Saints are one of the most cash-strapped teams in football this offseason, and they have plenty of work to do.
As it stands, the Saints are almost $84 million over the salary cap, per Over the Cap.
There are a few key players under contracts that are hampering the team, right now. Before any more notable moves happen, let's talk through a few of them.
1. Ryan Ramczyk, OT
One of the more unfortunate stories around the league last year developed when Saints offensive tackle sustained a knee injury that is now being deemed "career-threatening." There are some options on the table for Ramczyk in terms of trying to get healthy and make his way back onto the field, but we're still not sure what the future holds.
As for his contract, purely from a business standpoint, Ramczyk is set to count $27 million against the Saints' cap in 2024. If the team were to hold onto him and he was able to get healthy, the most likely scenario would be to work out a restructure. If the two sides agreed on something like that, then New Orleans could save around $11 million.
Cutting Ramczyk wouldn't be an option, as it wouldn't save New Orleans any money. But, in the best interest of both the player and team, one would hope that his health gets squared away and he's able to stick around for much longer.
2. Alvin Kamara, RB
In today's NFL, running backs aren't paid like they once were. That's been the trend, at least, over the last few years. However, Alvin Kamara established himself as one of the elite running backs in the NFL, able to do anything asked of him in both the run and passing game. That's why he was rewarded with a lucrative extension back in 2020.
His contract runs through the 2025 season, and this year he is set to count over $18 million against the cap. Cutting him would only save the Saints $1.5 million (before June 1, that is). Like Ramczyk, the best possible outcome for the Saints and Kamara would be to restructure his deal, saving New Orleans over $8 million in the process.
Trading Kamara probably isn't the best option, either, as that also only saves the team $1.5 million. Kamara isn't as effective as he once was and averaged just 3.9 yards per carry in 2023. He's probably best served as being part of a two or three-headed back field going forward, but because of his contract situation, the Saints likely won't be able to part with him.
3. Taysom Hill, QB
One of the strangest situations in New Orleans, for a couple of years now, has been that of Taysom Hill. The way I see it, the Saints have been throwing money away by paying Hill. That might seem like a strong sentiment, but what has Hill really provided the offense for a guy getting paid the way he does?
In 2024 and 2025, Hill is set to count $15.7 million against the salary cap. We're talking about a guy who doesn't have a clear position and has played 33 and 38 percent of snaps in 2022 and 2023, respectively. The playing time and production shouldn't warrant the type of money he's being paid, but here we are.
He might be a multi-threat on offense, and sure, he's great at getting it into the end zone when the team is close enough to punch it in. But, in today's NFL, you can find other ways to score touchdowns with players who are either more incorporated into the offense or who are deserving of the money he's being paid.
Lastly, when Hill is in the game under center, you can almost bet on the fact that he's taking it and running with it. Defenses aren't fooled anymore, and he's been more of a disservice to this offense than he has helped it.
If New Orleans were to do what they've been good at doing and continuing to push money down the road, they could restructure Hill this offseason and save over $6 million by doing so.
4. Michael Thomas, WR
Finally, this one is a contract the Saints really cannot do much about. It's also a situation where, whether you believe one narrative or another, it doesn't matter. The fact is, Michael Thomas isn't 100 percent happy in New Orleans.
Now, to be fair, how could he be? He's had a rough go at it from an injury standpoint over the years, and I think he'd be unhappy no matter where he was playing. To go from being at the top of the league in production to being an afterthought has to be difficult.
Nonetheless, the Saints are in a tough spot with his contract. In 2024, his contract is set to count $12.4 million against the salary cap. If they were to release Thomas before June 1, New Orleans wouldn't save a dime. In fact, they'd be out another $8 million.
If the Saints opted for a restructure, it would only save them $1.6 million.
The bottom line is, New Orleans is in a difficult spot. Will they continue restructuring and pushing money down the line?