I talked about this in another thread, but it's not that unrealistic to meet the cap. But you have to understand what that comes with. There's definitely a two year window that will have to occur due to a few Post June 1 moves or restructures. 2027 would be your "fresh start." That's obviously assume the team doesn't just kick the can. It can work, but if you aren't going to field a competitive team the question is why. (Let's remember though that a new coach may want assurances on doing just that, so don't rule out the Saints kicking the can some more, at least part ways.)
Full disclosure, some of this depends on this week's trade deadline and what they do with Lattimore, etc. For now let's just assume "nothing" is done this week. If so, we can re-evaluate.
And these are by no means meant to be suggestions, just examples of options (and of course cut = trade as well if anyone would take a player). Also keep in mind the limitations on June 1 cuts (2 designations).
- Cut Carr as Post 6/1. $30M savings.
- Cut Lattimore as Post 6/1. $18M savings.
- Cut Jordan as Post 6/1. $11M savings.
- Cut Ramczyk. $6M savings.
- Cut J. Williams. $1.5M savings.
- Cut F. Moreau. $2.5M savings.
- Cut C. Wilson. $2.4M savings.
- Cut K Saunders. $2.6M savings.
- Cut J.T. Gray. $2.1M savings.
- Other misc. savings: Shepherd (750K), K. Miller (1M), Z. Wood (1M), Saldiviri (1M), D. Jackson (1M), Howden (1M), Rigeway (1M)
- And basically any of the young guys that made the team are 1M also (Holker, Payton, Ford, Rattler, Hayball, etc). But of course keep in mind cutting them doens't do much good because those are parts you have to replace. So if you're cutting most of these 1M guys, it's because the new staff just doesn't see them as part of the team.
You can also look to someone like Jordan who may know his time is done, and get him to restructure with void years, etc, in a similar way that Ramcyzk did. It will push some money, but also be a way to realize savings that are spread over time if you will.
And of course some of this depends on what the cap does end up looking like next year. Is there a slight spike? Less than expected? Each way will matter.
2026 isn't necessarily pretty either. Not a great slate of candidates (as it stands) to save on even if you made the above. Basically leaves Granderson ($7M) and then you start to get into the guys with a few millions (Kamara, McCoy, Ruiz). That doesn't count a free agent class of Taylor, possibly Olave, Penning, Grupe, etc depending on how the team values them.