The New Orleans Saints restructured tight end Juwan Johnson’s contract on Friday, freeing up approximately $6.29 million in salary cap space for the 2026 season, according to ESPN’s Katherine Terrell. The restructure involved converting a portion of Johnson’s base salary into a signing bonus, providing the Saints with more financial flexibility heading into next year. Johnson, in his sixth NFL season, set career highs last season with 77 receptions, 102 targets, and 889 receiving yards, scoring three touchdowns in 17 games under first-year head coach Kellen Moore.
Johnson, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent from Penn State, developed a strong connection with New Orleans‘ young quarterback Tyler Shough last season. This chemistry helped him emerge as a reliable target and a potential low-end TE1 option for fantasy football drafts in 2026, especially for managers willing to wait on the tight end position.
Contract Modifications for Alvin Kamara Affecting 2026 Salary Cap
Alongside Johnson’s deal, running back Alvin Kamara also saw his contract restructured on Friday, lowering his cap number for the 2026 season by $8 million, reports NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. The adjustment was not a typical base salary-to-bonus conversion; $10.155 million of Kamara’s salary was converted to provide the team with increased cap flexibility if his tenure with the Saints ends.
Kamara, 30, struggled with injuries in 2025, playing only 11 games before a knee injury sidelined him. His production dropped to career lows, with 471 rushing yards, a single touchdown, and limited receiving contributions. With 1,674 career rushing attempts over nine seasons, his role and fantasy value are anticipated to diminish significantly for 2026, possibly relegating him to a timeshare.
Cameron Jordan’s Free Agency Status and Financial Implications for Saints
New Orleans defensive end Cameron Jordan is set to become a free agent when the new NFL year begins, sources revealed to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. If Jordan doesn’t reach a new agreement by Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, his current contract will automatically void. This scenario would leave the Saints with $18.76 million in dead money on their 2026 salary cap.
Jordan, 36, who has played all 15 of his NFL seasons with New Orleans, holds the franchise record for sacks with 132. Despite his advancing age, his performance remained strong, recording 10.5 sacks in 2025, the highest in several years. Jordan has expressed a desire to finish his career with the Saints; however, if a mutually acceptable new contract is not reached, retirement or free agency is likely.
Alvin Kamara’s Reduced Role and Uncertain Future in New Orleans
The 2025 season exposed a declining trend for Alvin Kamara, whose knee sprain during Week 12 cut short his campaign. Before the injury, Kamara’s efficiency and involvement in the offense had already declined, evidenced by a career-low 3.6 yards per carry and a significant reduction in targets per game from previous seasons. His 19.1% missed tackle rate was also at its lowest since 2018.
Despite being under contract for 2026, Kamara faces an uncertain future with the Saints, whose focus appears to be shifting toward younger backs emerging on the roster. If he remains in New Orleans, Kamara is projected to serve as a low-end RB2 option, reliant more on his name recognition rather than consistent production.
Chris Olave’s Rising Stock with New Opportunities in 2026
Wide receiver Chris Olave rebounded in 2025 after an injury-plagued 2024, posting 100 receptions for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns on 156 targets across 16 games. His performance notably improved after rookie quarterback Tyler Shough assumed starting duties in Week 8, with Olave recording 56 catches, 723 yards, and six touchdowns in the nine games alongside Shough.
Though Olave ended last season sidelined by a blood clot in his lung, he is expected to fully recover before the start of 2026. With a full year of quarterback stability anticipated, Olave’s fantasy value is trending higher, positioning him as a potential WR1 in upcoming drafts. Injuries remain a concern, but his consistent per-game output has solidified his reliability for fantasy managers.
Devaughn Vele’s 2025 Season and Potential for Increased Role
Second-year wide receiver Devaughn Vele’s 2025 season with the Saints was hampered by a shoulder injury that landed him on injured reserve. Prior to the injury, he caught 25 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games, a decline from his rookie campaign with the Denver Broncos. However, Vele showed increased involvement late in the season, hauling in 16 receptions on 19 targets for 202 yards in the final three outings.
At 28 years old, the former seventh-round pick entered the year as a growing offensive contributor. His role heading into 2026 could evolve significantly depending on the Saints’ moves in the upcoming free agency period and draft, making him a sleeper candidate worth monitoring.
Impact of Kendre Miller’s Injury on Saints’ Backfield Dynamics
Running back Kendre Miller’s 2025 campaign ended early following a torn ACL sustained in Week 7. Before the injury, the third-round draft pick amassed 223 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown on 52 touches across seven games. Miller, drafted in 2023, showed promise in carving out a role behind veteran Alvin Kamara.
Recovery timelines suggest he may be ready for the start of the 2026 season, but he will face competition from Kamara, Devin Neal, and any offseason additions. Given his injury and uncertain workload, dynasty fantasy players are likely to downgrade Miller’s value heading into next year.
Devin Neal’s Emerging Role Amid Backfield Competition
Rookie running back Devin Neal was building momentum in his first NFL season before a hamstring injury that placed him on injured reserve for the final three weeks of the 2025 regular season. Neal totaled 246 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in his last four games, ranking as the RB23 in full-PPR formats during that span.
The Saints’ backfield is crowded but wide open for a lead role, with Neal, Kamara, and Miller all vying for carries. Neal demonstrated his capability with a season-high 20 touches in a game before injury. If the team does not acquire a top-tier back via free agency or the draft, Neal could see increased opportunities in 2026, making him an attractive buy in dynasty leagues.
Juwan Johnson’s Breakout Season Builds Future Expectations
Juwan Johnson emerged as a key offensive weapon for the Saints in 2025, benefiting from his relationship with rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. Although there was occasional buzz about his potential breakout in prior years, it was last season that Johnson truly realized his capability, finishing as the TE8 in full-PPR leagues with 77 receptions, 889 yards, and three touchdowns.
Johnson’s progress came after years of limited opportunities caused by a crowded tight end room and inconsistent quarterback play. Now signed through 2027, Johnson’s size and skill set position him as a mid-to-low TE1 option going into 2026, particularly given the team’s improving quarterback situation.
Alvin Kamara Faces Uncertain Future Amid Declining Production
Alvin Kamara’s outlook for the 2026 NFL season appears uncertain as age, injury concerns, and the Saints’ youth movement impact his role. After finishing the 2025 season as the RB46 in fantasy rankings—the lowest of his career—Kamara exhibited reduced workload and efficiency, averaging fewer than 15 touches per game and securing just one touchdown.
Kamara’s knee sprain in Week 12 and advancing age have contributed to the decline, and he now faces competition from Devin Neal and Kendre Miller, both of whom showed potential before season-ending injuries. While Kamara has expressed a desire to remain with New Orleans, the team’s strategy to get younger may lead to his release or restructuring, which could open up $8.5 million in cap space post-June 1.
Chris Olave’s Fantasy Value Rebounds with Promising Quarterback Partnership
Wide receiver Chris Olave’s fantasy profile has improved significantly after his third 1,000-yard season, boosted by consistent starting quarterback Tyler Shough. Despite missing multiple games throughout his four-year career due to injuries, Olave set career highs last season in all major receiving categories, including 156 targets and 100 receptions.
Olave’s blood clot injury late in 2025 is expected to have no long-term effects, allowing him to enter 2026 fully healthy. His chemistry with Shough and steady production projects him as a reliable WR1 candidate in fantasy drafts, though injury history may temper some managers’ enthusiasm.
