Saints could get to $14.61 million under the cap without restructuring Derek Carr, after Saints salary cap potentially increases by $5M

It goes back to the question of how much cap space do you really need? Do we really need $100m in cap space in 2026? It sounds nice but using that much space on other team’s players doesn’t appeal much to me unless 2026 is set up to be some monster year for free agent availability.

Restructuring Carr this year cosmetically lessens next year’s availability, however that cosmetic gets fixed with a June 1 cut that pushes money into the FAR better off 2027 league year.

We can make the money work to get the guys we want in those years, while also giving ourselves significantly more wiggle room for this year.

2027 is setting up to be a prime absorption/catch-up year while also offering space to operate, barring a COVID-like catastrophe between now and then.

Cap dollars are quite literally worth more today than they are worth a year/two years from now.
I think some of the money will be used on our own guys. The 110 million doesn’t include Olave’s 5 option if they pick it up or his extension. They will have to extend Shaheed also that year. Penning will be a free agent. I don’t think they will pick up his 5th year option. If Penning has a good 2025 he will be resigned. Then they can look at a couple free agents. I’m not saying spend it all but they will be able to retain their own guys and maybe pick up a few missing pieces. Especially if they don’t hit in the draft this year.