Cameron Jordan, Demario Davis restructure contracts to save Saints cap space
NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill first reported news of more Saints salary cap maneuvering, with defensive end Cameron Jordan and linebacker Demario Davis agreeing to contract restructurings that yielded $13 million in savings for 2021. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport specified that the moves saved $13,443,750 this season.
Remember: restructures are not pay cuts. Both players got nice signing bonuses out of this that they can cash immediately. It is a team-friendly move in the sense that it helps get New Orleans beneath the salary cap, but it’s also favorable to the player because they get more money now and more security with the team later.
That’s why it’s a little, slightly, sort of surprising to see the Saints tie themselves to a pair of defenders over 30. Especially in Jordan’s case, given he just had his lowest sacks total since 2016. If either Jordan or Davis start to recede, it’ll be tough for the Saints to get out of those contracts in the years ahead.
But these are the deals you have to make when you’re $60 million over the projected salary cap. Not every move is going to benefit the team alone. The Saints will have to make some concessions and bet that aging players will remain effective late into their careers. Considering both Jordan and Davis have earned All-Pro votes in recent years and are staple players on the defense, this doesn’t really look like a tough decision to make. You just have to be aware of the risks.
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