The New Orleans Saints have been fighting off salary-cap issues for years, continuously deferring salaries and larger cap hits to future seasons to remain competitive. Already carrying the largest cap deficit in the NFL, it appears not much will change in New Orleans this offseason.
While the team fired head coach Dennis Allen mid-season and then replaced him with Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, the front office remains the same. Ownership has remained loyal to the general manager who helped the team win Super Bowl XLIV, treating him more like an equal partner 15 years after hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.
Related: New Orleans Saints offseason moves after hiring Kellen Moore
It’s one of the biggest reasons why the Saints’ head-coaching vacancy was the least desired job in the NFL this offseason. Many around the league recognize this franchise is in desperate need of a multi-year rebuild, but that evidently isn’t in the team’s plans.
Appearing on NFL Network’s The Insiders, Ian Rapoport shed light on how the Saints front office is approaching this offseason. Of note, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis doesn’t believe the team needs to undergo a rebuild which means many of the team’s veteran starters won’t be cap casualties in 2025.
“In my understanding of their situation, it does not sound like a rip-the-Band-Aid-off type of deal. It doesn’t sound like they’re going to say, ‘Alright, let’s cut the quarterback [Derek Carr], defensive end who is one of our best players of all time [Cameron Jordan], Demario Davis, Taysom Hill.”
Ian Rapoport on how New Orleans Saints are approaching the offseason
Related: 2025 NFL Draft order, New Orleans Saints draft picks 2025
That doesn’t necessarily mean all of the household names on the Saints roster will be returning. While the likes of Derek Carr, Cameron Jordan and DeMario Davis are expected back with the club in 2025, offensive weapon Taysom Hill is not expected back.
“Taysom Hill I have a hard time seeing back. But it does seem like one of those things where they’re going to say, ‘Let’s keep the talent we have, massage the cap just enough, try to get a little younger and still try to win.'”
Ian Rapoport on Taysom Hill’s future with the New Orleans Saints
Related: NFL cap space by team 2025, New Orleans Saints cap space 2025
According to OverTheCap.com, designating Hill as a post-June 1 release would free up $10 million of cap space in 2025. It would, however, do nothing to help the team’s salary-cap situation in 2026 which is currently projected to be one of the worst in the NFL.
While a roster reset might be in the team’s best interest long-term, Loomis is the decision-maker and making the roster worse to begin a rebuild would put him on the hot seat. With his job security at stake, the Saints general manager remains committed to having the team tread water as long as possible.
Related: Find out who Kellen Moore will likely hire as New Orleans Saints OC