Don't Expect The New Orleans Saints To Get In On Any Big-Name Free Agency Sweepstakes
With so many intriguing names in this year’s NFL free agency class, it is easy to get excited about the new league year. With a fresh season come fresh signings, faces and names to team rosters. The New Orleans Saints will be no different. The will add talent throughout the free agency period. While they may surprise, do not expect them to be major players in the first wave of big-money signings.
New Orleans Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis
Mar 11, 2023; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis laughs at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL’s “legal tampering” period begins Monday, March 11. At that time, player agents and teams can begin to agree to terms on new deals with new teams. However, those signing do not become official until the afternoon of Wednesday, March 13. Over the course of those three days, some of the most lucrative contracts in the league will be agreed upon. Some, like edge rusher, may reset markets. But it seems unlikely that New Orleans will be in that number.
The reason why is tied to money, however that is not the entire story. The Saints could get as far as $25-$30 million under the salary cap by Wednesday’s deadline. They have a handful restructure options remaining with running back Alvin Kamara, tackle Ryan Ramczyk, linebacker Demario Davis and do-it-all weapon Taysom Hill.
The Saints will have money to spend. However, they will not look to spend it all in one place. It is hard to imagine they will not end up with some surprising signing. A back-loaded contract that will leave cap truthers saying “They can’t keep getting away with this.” But rushing to get that done while competing with big-spenders is not likely to be the strategy.
New Orleans wants to sign players on the merit of what they have to offer one another. They want to sell the vision, not the pocket book. Because of that, it seems logical to expect the Saints offseason signings to really get rolling in the second wave of free agency, rather than diving into bidding wars early.
Names like safety Justin Simmons and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins will be enticing, no doubt.
The Saints love to structure their contracts very specifically and are very precise in their spending allotments. Getting into negotiations that could be influenced by another team’s bankroll does not fit that same motive. New Orleans will add talent, just maybe not right away.
