Saints Cap Moves: $30,305,932 cap space ….. 8 restructures, 3 extensions, 3 pay cut, 1 release [All current cap moves are in OP below line]

[St. Geezy]

Well, that’s your opinion, but others, like Mike Triplett, view this as a clear sign the Saints are keeping their foot on the gas pedal, as opposed to rebuilding. So who’s correct? We shall see. I’m interested to read what Nick Underhill writes about all this.

No, it’s not my opinion. It’s sophomore level math.

I never said this was about rebuilding, in fact I am saying exactly what you say Trip says, so I’m not sure what you’re conveying there.

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

This was a game of chicken and the Saints blinked first.

Carr's leverage was the simple fact that cutting him forces the Saints to restructure the entire rest of the team to get cap complainant and likely gives the Saints zero cap space for FA moves and would force them to field one of the worst NFL rosters of all time.

The Saint's leverage was the very real fact that on the open market Carr is not likely getting $40m a year. Not nearly as many QB opening as there are FA QBs and Carr if cut could have found himself taking an even larger pay cut.

I was pretty sure that Carr was not taking a pay cut, he is the type of guy that is always going to bet on himself. In the end he get's his $40m and the Saints are forced to kick the can again.

Playing around with the OTC calculator with a base restructure means Carr's 2026 cap hit is $69m with a dead money hit of $28 and cap saving of $32m if cut. No way the Saints are paying Carr $69M next year and if they could not find away to work out a new contract now it's likely he is gone next year. The Saints decided it was better to keep him another year and take a smaller cap hit in 2026 when they will have a little more cap space to take on the dead money.

Pretty much. Paying him this year doesn’t make it harder to walk away next year. However, it also paints them in corner in that they better have their answer at QB on the roster in 2026.

Either Carr is going to be on a short leash so you can evaluate him or…you toy w/ trading up to draft Cam Ward so that theres no scramble for a QB next year

 

[RaginSaint93]

So what does Alvin’s tweet mean?

 

[BlackNGoldblood]

No, it’s not my opinion. It’s sophomore level math.

I never said this was about rebuilding, in fact I am saying exactly what you say Trip says, so I’m not sure what you’re saying there.

You’re saying it was their ONLY option, which sounds to me like you see it as achieving both goals - fielding a more competitive team this year and not doing a bunch of restructures of players they don’t value long term. Triplett apparently thinks this is only a win now decision, which you seem to disagree with.

 

[RaisingTheBar]

Pretty much. Paying him this year doesn’t make it harder to walk away next year. However, it also paints them in corner in that they better have their answer at QB on the roster in 2026.

Either Carr is going to be on a short leash so you can evaluate him or…you toy w/ trading up to draft Cam Ward so that theres no scramble for a QB next year

I have a feeling they’re going with option C and scrambling for a QB next year.

 

[SailorJerrysHorse]

This just makes no sense to me but what do I know.

Moving forward now I’ll be curious to see how he and Moore work together, and to see how the draft plays out especially with regards to the QB position and possible trade backs for future draft picks. A restructure and not an extension makes me think Carr is more than likely a 2026 post June 1 cut (though Im not clear on how you get cap compliant with that figure in the books till June - @Elvis / @Rouxble any thoughts?)

Regardless, this feels like an expensive bridge year (2025 drafted QB? Rattler?) and/or a planned move up in the 2026 draft for a QB next year.

 

[BlackNGoldblood]

Pretty much. Paying him this year doesn’t make it harder to walk away next year. However, it also paints them in corner in that they better have their answer at QB on the roster in 2026.

Either Carr is going to be on a short leash so you can evaluate him or…you toy w/ trading up to draft Cam Ward so that theres no scramble for a QB next year

You think this move makes it more likely we move up to take Ward?

 

[St. Geezy]

Wonder if this means a Tyrann paycut is coming?

 

[Taker597]

This just makes no sense to me but what do I know.

Moving forward now I’ll be curious to see how he and Moore work together, and to see how the draft plays out especially with regards to the QB position and possible trade backs for future draft picks. A restructure and not an extension makes me think Carr is more than likely a 2026 post June 1 cut (though Im not clear on how you get cap compliant with that figure in the books till June - @Elvis / @Rouxble any thoughts?)

Regardless, this feels like an expensive bridge year (2025 drafted QB? Rattler?) and/or a planned move up in the 2026 draft for a QB next year.

Just pencil in Saints 2027 in your calendar.

It would of been nice to cut a deal with Carr to cut him and tank for QB. 2026 would of been exciting with a rookie QB.

We'll do the same thing we been doing. Win 7-9 games. Get a mid draft pick. Make excuses for injuries. Rinse. Repeat.

 

[WhoDat?DrewDat]

Perfectly said.

 

[Taker597]

You think this move makes it more likely we move up to take Ward?

Not really possible. Be too expensive.

 

[jesusfish]

Fletch is livid

My favorite Chevy Chase movie is Fletch Livid

 

[St. Geezy]

We'll have 8 starters left from 2025, including Carr. We'll obviously have new ones, but they'll cost money too.

Carr is 77-92 as a starter and 0-1 in the playoffs.

Correction - his TEAMS are 77-92 and 0-1 with him starting. TEAMS.

I suppose he himself should have done more so that he had a defense ranked better than 20th even just once during his time in Oakland/Vegas? Or done more to make Dennis Allen a more competent head coach, or done more to help the strength and conditioning team keep our team healthy and away from a historical amount of injuries?

 

[Tulsa Saint]

You think this move makes it more likely we move up to take Ward?

I mean they really really like him apparently so it’s not out of the question.

I think if Moore really thinks he’s the guy then I’d have no qualms.

I prefer him over sanders