Saints Restructure, Sign Key Players Despite Cap

The New Orleans Saints have successfully restructured several contracts, including those of quarterback Derek Carr and defensive players Carl Granderson, Cesar Ruiz, and Khalen Saunders, to become salary-cap compliant ahead of the new league year. These moves cleared over $13 million in cap space, allowing the Saints to retain key players like Tyrann Mathieu, who agreed to a reworked one-year deal worth $7.2 million. Additionally, the Saints locked in defensive end Chase Young with a three-year, $51 million extension, despite initial concerns about the salary cap. The team also acquired Davon Godchaux from the New England Patriots, demonstrating their ability to manage financial constraints while strengthening their roster. Although the Saints have not made a playoff appearance since 2020, they continue to employ their strategy of deferring cap charges to future seasons to maintain competitiveness. More roster adjustments are expected as the team navigates the remainder of the free agency period.