Following a rebuilding season with promising progress, the New Orleans Saints face a critical juncture as they prepare for the 2026 NFL offseason. To create significant salary cap space, the Saints must execute crucial roster adjustments amid one of the most challenging cap situations in the league, positioning themselves to maximize opportunities around their emerging quarterback.
Currently ranking seventh-worst in available cap space for 2026, the Saints find themselves constrained despite fresh optimism surrounding second-year quarterback Shough. After a 6-10 season highlighted by a late surge and impressive votes for Rookie of the Year, Shough signifies hope for the franchise’s future. However, the team’s overall cap limitations demand decisive moves from general manager Mickey Loomis to rebuild successfully and support Shough’s development.
Moving On from Hill and Jordan to Open Cap Flexibility
The Saints’ foremost priority is to part ways with veteran stalwarts Taysom Hill and Cameron Jordan in the upcoming free agency. Although both players are deeply respected by the fanbase and have been longstanding contributors, age and contract implications make their retention untenable for the 2026 roster.
Taysom Hill, at 35 years old, has battled through injuries that have limited him to just 21 games over the past two seasons. His injury-prone history, paired with a style of play that will likely become harder to sustain, coupled with a significant contract extension from 2021, make releasing him a necessary step despite his past importance as a dynamic playmaker. Hill’s fit within Kellen Moore’s system has lessened compared to previous coaching regimes, making his salary hard to justify moving forward.
Cameron Jordan, turning 37 during the 2026 season, remains an effective edge rusher, reviving his productivity with 10.5 sacks in 2025 under defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s system. Yet after earning nearly $10 million in 2025, it’s unlikely the Saints will retain him without Jordan agreeing to a notable salary reduction. Loomis faces a difficult choice between maintaining Jordan’s veteran leadership or clearing his sizable cap hit to create space for younger defensive talent.
Deciding Alvin Kamara’s Future: Trade or Release
After an eight-year tenure as New Orleans’ offensive centerpiece, running back Alvin Kamara experienced a notable decline in 2025. At age 30, Kamara posted career lows in rushing yards (471) and receiving yards (186), while appearing in only 11 games. His production drop off follows a surprising career-best campaign in 2024 but raises concerns about his ability to sustain a high workload as he approaches his 31st birthday.
Kamara remains under contract for one more year, with a salary figure posing a challenge to the Saints’ cap management. Loomis must evaluate whether trading Kamara could yield assets or if releasing him with a post-June 1 designation—which would free approximately $8.5 million in cap space—is preferable. While difficult, cutting Kamara would mirror recent franchise moves involving legends such as Cooper Kupp, Tyler Lockett, and Jonathan Allen, signaling a clear shift toward youth and fiscal responsibility.
This decision is critical, as the Saints have long neglected to develop a reliable replacement at running back, and how they handle Kamara’s departure will heavily impact their offensive outlook in 2026.
Contract Restructuring: Unlocking Salary Cap Space via Young and Granderson
Significant cap relief hinges on restructuring key defensive contracts, with edge rushers Chase Young and Carl Granderson as prime candidates. Young’s $20.5 million cap charge and Granderson’s $18 million figure represent the largest financial commitments on the team, particularly if Cameron Jordan is allowed to walk and Alvin Kamara is moved.
Both players have proved their worth: Young missed only five games since joining in 2024, and Granderson has remained consistently available since 2022. Together, they accounted for 16 sacks in 2025, solidifying their roles in Brandon Staley’s aggressive pass-rush scheme. Retaining them is essential to sustaining the team’s defensive pressure, but adjusting their contracts can yield nearly $40 million in cap savings.
Additional restructuring candidates include center Erik McCoy, tight end Juwan Johnson, and guard Cesar Ruiz. Nonetheless, Loomis should prioritize Young and Granderson to maximize short-term cap space and maintain the core defensive group as the team moves toward rebuilding around Shough and younger talent.
Cutting Cesar Ruiz to Address Offensive Line Challenges
Among the highest-paid players on the roster, offensive guard Cesar Ruiz’s performance has not aligned with his contract demands, making him a prime candidate for release. The 26-year-old former first-round pick offers versatility on the offensive line but ranked second-lowest among Saint starters with a poor 55.1 player grade from Pro Football Focus in 2025, struggling particularly in run-blocking where he falls in the bottom 10 percent relative to peers.
Releasing Ruiz would save close to $6.8 million in cap room, an important move within the Saints’ broader strategy to clear more than $60 million ahead of the 2026 offseason. While Ruiz has provided stability, New Orleans has an opportunity to seek a more efficient player, potentially at a reduced salary, to support Shough’s development and the revamped offense.
Though losing a starting lineman is never taken lightly, this decision underscores the franchise’s focus on roster efficiency and long-term success, prioritizing salary flexibility to complement their evolving roster.
A Crucial Offseason for Reshaping the Saints’ Roster and Finances
The Saints stand at a pivotal moment as they approach the 2026 offseason, facing tough decisions that blend roster loyalty with the imperative need for salary cap relief. Moving on from iconic contributors like Taysom Hill, Cameron Jordan, and Alvin Kamara will be sobering but necessary to free space for emerging talents and new acquisitions.
Meanwhile, contract restructures with Chase Young and Carl Granderson offer a strategic path to preserving key defensive players without sacrificing financial maneuverability. The release of Cesar Ruiz further signals a willingness to make difficult cuts to improve overall team efficiency and salary structure.
How Mickey Loomis balances these moves will shape the Saints’ trajectory as they seek to capitalize on Shough’s budding promise and reestablish competitiveness. With over $60 million potentially freed up, New Orleans has the financial flexibility to pursue impactful free agents and build a roster aligned with their long-term vision.
