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]

[WilliamBrees]

The problem is Carr isn't acting like he wants to be here. In fact, I think one could put up a solid argument that his actions are stating he doesn't want to be here or plans to play somewhere else in 2025. Even bridge QB's tend to act like leaders and try to succeed for their following season potential destinations. Look at the spot Aaron Rodgers is in. No one wants him. He didn't act like a leader, he didn't put in the work for massive success. He just kind of seemed to go out last season and wing it, week in and week out. That's the vibe Carr is currently putting out. Rodgers was quite a bit more extreme, getting his HC fired. But still. If he started playing well and was successful after the HC was gone, he'd likely have suitors. But he doesn't.

Wow....maybe we need a reality check.

 

[St. Widge]

Good point on the pay cuts.

Dallas Goedert and Jaire Alexander would be a couple of names we could be after, but maybe not.

I just don’t see us giving up like this. It is all just odd behavior to me.

I don't think they are giving up. I think they are doing what Loomis said he was going to continue to do which is do a soft reset. He was going to splash for two guys, but one of them was youngish and would have been part of the future and he had a number for Kupp that he would not go over. Plus, he's already done about what he said he was going to do by singing/trading for two guys around $10 million AAV and bringing back Young and Johnson at $17 Mil and $10 Mil. That's still a pretty aggressive off season even if they do nothing else.

But, I do think they will add a vet guard and vet WR if some older starter types become available on short $8 to $10 million deals like they did a few years ago with Tyrann and Jarvis Landry.

 

[Elvis]

Is this accurate? None of Carr's money is pushed out to 2027?

Only if he is restructured again in 2026 or if they designate him a June 1 cut in 2026.

 

[St. Geezy]

I don't think they are giving up. I think they are doing what Loomis said he was going to continue to do which is do a soft reset. He was going to splash for two guys, but one of them was youngish and would have been part of the future and he had a number for Kupp that he would not go over. Plus, he's already done about what he said he was going to do by singing/trading for two guys around $10 million AAV and bringing back Young and Johnson at $17 Mil and $10 Mil. That's still a pretty aggressive off season even if they do nothing else.

But, I do think they will add a vet guard and vet WR if some older starter types become available on short $8 to $10 million deals like they did a few years ago with Tyrann and Jarvis Landry.

I thought that was last year’s line, about resetting things back to a certain mean. This year the line was that we’d be more aggressive this off-season, more active than last offseason, but I would not say we have done that to this point.

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

I thought that was last year’s line, about resetting things back to a certain mean. This year the line was that we’d be more aggressive this off-season, more active than last offseason, but I would not say we have done that to this point.

Nah, I never got that. Loomis has consistently said while they are in a better cap situation, they still have a lot of work to do.

Ie they can make more moves than last year but it’s still going to be measured aggression. We saw them resign their own players and take a shot at two outside guys that could potentially help.

They did not seek to attain them at any cost however

 

[WilliamBrees]

I don’t disagree, though I think the lack of 2nd half adjustments superseded Rattler because in the games Carr played we struggled in the 2nd half too. That was more on coaching staff than singling out a rookie QB as the culprit.

It was very obvious with Rattler.

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

It was very obvious with Rattler.

Ok, I understand your sentiment

 

[St. Widge]

I thought that was last year’s line, about resetting things back to a certain mean. This year the line was that we’d be more aggressive this off-season, more active than last offseason, but I would not say we have done that to this point.

I would say that we have been much more aggressive than last year. We were in on two guys getting over $15 million AAV (Ward and Cupp), we signed one guy for around $17 million AAV (Young) , traded for a guy at $10 million Total Value (Godchaux), and signed two guys for around $10 million AAV (Reid and Johnson). That's significantly more aggressive IMO than last year where they basically did a one year deal for young around $13 million, signed Gay for one year around $7 million, and signed Cedrick Wilson for around $3.6 million AAV.

Note that aggressive doesn't necessarily mean you sign the player. We didn't even go for big signings last year. But Loomis did also say this year that while being aggressive they will also be careful with the cap. I think what we have done fits perfectly with that.

 

[St. Widge]

It was very obvious with Rattler.

Yes, and that's on the coaching staff for not finding ways to help their rookie QB make those adjustments with plays that give him options when teams let loose their blitzers. Obviously the player takes some responsibility, but he was a rookie 5th round pick. The staff has to realize that and help him with the play calling.

 

[St. Widge]

Only if he is restructured again in 2026 or if they designate him a June 1 cut in 2026.

I've always assumed that after they restructured this year the plan would be to cut/trade car post June 1 next year or at least with a post June 1 designation.

 

[Elvis]

I've always assume that after they restructured this year the plan would be to cut/trade car post June 1 next year or at least with a post June 1 designation.

I’ve assumed that once they restructured him this year he would play both 2025 and 2026 seasons because the cap hit of all of the voids and his cap hit would be far too much dead money for any team to absorb. The weirdness around Carr right now makes it seem untenable though.

 

[St. Widge]

I’ve assumed that once they restructured him this year he would play both 2025 and 2026 seasons because the cap hit of all of the voids and his cap hit would be far too much dead money for any team to absorb. The weirdness around Carr right now makes it seem untenable though.

I don't know. I'm certainly not the cap guy that you are. I just know that most of the media, including Trip, Underhill, and I think Kat Terrell, think that he can fairly easily be cut/traded next year and that is what will happen. Yes, it will lead to a lot of dead money, but it will actually save them money against the cap.

I do get your point about the number of players under contract in 2026, but isn't that going to force the tear down that has been asked for where we just have a bunch of young guys and see how it goes/how Moore can coach them up?

It looks like the plan was to have that natural reset next year when all the contracts for the older guys are up and that it will happen next year. Then in 2027 we will have more cap space to work with. I just hope we draft some players that are worth giving 2nd contracts to with the open cap space in 2027 and beyond.

Edit: I also don't see Carr being willing to play here next year on a one year contract. He's either going to want an extension or be cut/traded so he can get a longer term contract with another team. But, all that will be contingent on him playing well enough this year to earn a 2 or 3 year deal here or elsewhere. If he doesn't I don't think the Saints would have a reason to keep him anyway.

 

[Elvis]

I don't know. I'm certainly not the cap guy that you are. I just know that most of the media, including Trip, Underhill, and I think Kat Terrell, think that he can fairly easily be cut/traded next year and that is what will happen. Yes, it will lead to a lot of dead money, but it will actually save them money against the cap.

I do get your point about the number of players under contract in 2026, but isn't that going to force the tear down that has been asked for where we just have a bunch of young guys and see how it goes/how Moore can coach them up?

It looks like the plan was to have that natural reset next year when all the contracts for the older guys are up and that it will happen next year. Then in 2027 we will have more cap space to work with. I just hope we draft some players that are worth giving 2nd contracts to with the open cap space in 2027 and beyond.

Edit: I also don't see Carr being willing to play here next year on a one year contract. He's either going to want an extension or be cut/traded so he can get a longer term contract with another team. But, all that will be contingent on him playing well enough this year to earn a 2 or 3 year deal here or elsewhere. If he doesn't I don't think the Saints would have a reason to keep him anyway.

The problem is that we have to field a team in 2026. Currently we are 17 players short of the 51 players that count towards the cap and with minimum salaries being right around $1 million each, that is going to take a minimum of $17 million to fill. And we’re already over the cap. It was different this year when we were going in with more than 60 players under contract, 2026 is far more difficult. Which is why I wanted to do more this year.

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

Yes, and that's on the coaching staff for not finding ways to help their rookie QB make those adjustments with plays that give him options when teams let loose their blitzers. Obviously the player takes some responsibility, but he was a rookie 5th round pick. The staff has to realize that and help him with the play calling.

Watch the 1st Tampa game then watch the 2nd Tampa game. Rattler improved significantly, they couldn't even attack him in the same way they did the 1st game.