The New Orleans Saints have faced salary-cap problems for years, constantly restructuring contracts and pushing back cap hits into future seasons in order to stay competitive. As the ultimate price starts to build, the looming problem could result in NFL teams inquiring about one star player this offseason.
New Orleans is in one of the worst cap situations in the NFL. Even after restructuring multiple contracts in February, the Saints are more than $40 million over the NFL salary cap. Unlike the Buffalo Bills, who are $43.815 million over the cap in 2024 but will have $30.9 million in cap space next year, the Saints are in a far worse situation.
- New Orleans Saints cap space 2024: -$42.109 million
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Ahead of March, New Orleans is the only NFL team projected to be more than $40 million over the salary cap in each of the next two years. Restructuring deals in 2024 will help them get under the cap this season, but it adds to the expenses they must pay in 2025.
NFL teams are taking notice. Even with the Saints committed to trying to win the NFC South next season, it appears one of their top defenders will likely be receiving a lot of trade inquiries.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote that it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Saints receive a lot of trade calls this spring on cornerback Marshon Lattimore.
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- Marshon Lattimore contract: $14.616 million cap hit in 2024, $31.406 million cap hit in 2025
On the surface, it might not make sense for New Orleans to trade its four-time Pro Bowl selection given its aspirations of contending next season. However, Lattimore’s restructured contract has resulted in him carrying a cap hit in excess of $30 million in 2025.
If the Saints wait another year to trade Lattimore, he’ll be heading into his age-29 season and carrying one of the largest cap hits in the NFL among cornerbacks. It’s also likely he’ll be another year removed from his last Pro Bowl selection (2021), elevating the risk of a minimal trade market for his services.
With the 2024 NFL Draft class fairly deep at cornerback, it’s possible the Saints could entertain trade offers for Lattimore with the intent of replacing him with a starter on a rookie contract. If New Orleans chooses to keep him, which seems likely, they’ll also likely be stuck with him in 2025 when no NFL team may be willing to take on his contract.
