Even with yesterday’s win, it’s clear the Saints are still struggling this season. Why? The simple answer is the team wasn’t able to fill the roster with enough talent because they are throwing away money to 59 players who aren’t on the team anymore. That’s six more than a full active NFL roster.
This year the Saints have $31.83 million in dead money, according to overthecap.com, a website devoted to tracking NFL contract and salary cap information. That reduces their spending capability to $111.45 million, 78 percent of the NFL mandated $143.28 million. When you account for quarterback Drew Brees’ $23.8 million – 21 percent of the team’s already reduced cap – the Saints have $87.65 million to spend on the rest of the team.
The top 10 paid Saints earn more than half of the team’s cap allowance, a combined $58.58 million. That leaves just $52.87 million to spend on filling the roster. Unfortunately, many of these 10 have been hit with injuries this year that have reduced their effectiveness or taken them out of a game or more.
If there is any silver lining, it comes in a couple of years. The projected 2016 salary cap is $150 million. Right now, the Saints owe $14.8 million to 11 players. The biggest hit is Junior Galette, who is due $12.1 million. When the dead money is accounted for, the team’s expected salary allowance would be $135.2 million, 90 percent of the full allotment.
In an area of potential drama, Brees is due $30 million next year. His salary will make up 22 percent of the team’s cap, and reduce their ledger to $105.2 million available on the rest of the roster. The Saints and Brees already agreed to move some money around this year. Would both parties again restructure to a more team-friendly contract that would free some cash and allow him to retire in Black & Gold? Or, would the Saints be willing to trade him (They did it to Archie!) in order to get a player or several high draft picks for the surefire Hall of Famer? It will be interesting to see what happens with the team and its greatest player of all time.
The salary cap nightmare looks like it will end after next season. The Saints currently have $87.68 million in salary going toward the 2017 team with no projected dead money limiting their ability to succeed.
Saints On High
The top 10 paid Saints earn a combined $58.58 million, more than half of the team’s 2015 cap allowance. That leaves just $52.87 million to spend on filling the roster.
Rank Player Cap Number
1 Drew Brees $23.8 million
2 Jahri Evans $7 million
3 Marques Colston $6.5 million
4 Jairus Byrd $5.5 million
5 Keenan Lewis $4.5 million
6 Cameron Jordan $4.17 million
7 David Hawthorne $4.01 million
8 Thomas Morstead $3.4 million
9 Zach Strief $3.2 million
10 Max Unger $3 million
Total $58.58 million
Source: overthecap.com
Scream Loud As Thunder
This year the Saints have $31.83 million in dead money going to 59 players no longer on the team. That reduces their spending capability to $111.45 million, 78 percent of the NFL mandated $143.28 million.
Player Cap Number
Jimmy Graham $9 million
Ben Grubbs $6 million
Junior Galette $5.45 million
Curtis Lofton $5 million
Brodrick Bunkley $1.912 million
Pierre Thomas $830,000
Stanley Jean-Baptiste $667,374
Akiem Hicks $418,137
Parys Haralson $350,000
Khairi Fortt $309,420
Erik Lorig $300,000
Champ Bailey $250,000
Nick Toon $140,727
Ronald Powell $140,156
Kenny Phillips $137,647
Joe Morgan $137,647
Kenny Stills $97,226
Kevin Brock $81,882
Tavon Rooks $73,074
Mike McGlynn $64,412
DuJuan Harris $62,700
Mike Brewster $61,412
Bryce Harris $60,000
Corey White $44,125
Tim Hightower $34,412
Seantavius Jones $31,400
Toben Opurum $25,588
Sean Hickey $15,833
Joe Morgan $15,000
Connor Hamlett $13,200
Shayne Graham $10,000
Markus Pierce-Brewster $7,000
Cameron Brate $6,600
Blake Annen $6,600
Sean Hickey $6,600
R.J. Harris $6,600
Matt Armstrong $5,000
Marcus Ball $4,000
Ty Nsekhe $3,750
Lawrence Virgil $3,334
George Uko $3,334
Nic Jacobs $3,334
Brandon Coleman $3,334
Logan Kilgore $3,334
Timothy Flanders $3,334
Chidera Uzo-Diribe $3,334
Derrius Brooks $3,000
Ty Zimmerman $3,000
Pierre Warren $2,667
Je’Ron Hamm $2,667
Derek Dimke $2,500
Glenn Foster $2,334
Cyril Lemon $2,000
Ashaad Mabry $1,800
R.J. Harris $1,800
Harold Spears $1,800
Rod Sweeting $1,668
Kevin Reddick $1,668
Spencer Hadley $1,000
TOTAL $31,831,264
Source: overthecap.com
