The New Orleans Saints finished the 2021-22 season with a 9-8 record. They were one game away from making the playoffs.
In Jameis Winston's first year in New Orleans, the Saints were playing great football. Once he tore his ACL, that took a turn. If Winston doesn't get hurt, I think the Saints make the playoffs without a doubt. To start the postseason, Sean Payton announced he'd be retiring, and the team is in a world of cap troubles. Dennis Allen was named head coach, so they’re staying in-house with the hire.
Last season’s salary cap number dropped to $182.5 million as the league dealt with the pandemic, but the 2022 cap rebound back up to $208 million according to Over The Cap. That increase should loosen a few team pocketbooks this offseason.
Franchise/Transition Tag possibilities
Last season, the Saints tagged safety Marcus Williams which was a bit surprising to fans. This season, I don't see anyone they would tag, it just wouldn't be worth it.
Salary cap
Estimated 2022 cap space: (-$79,733,641)
Notable unrestricted free agents
New Orleans Saints 2022 UFAs
Player | Pos. | 2021 Team | Snaps | Age | 2022 Team |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | Pos. | 2021 Team | Snaps | Age | 2022 Team |
Marcus Williams | S | Saints | 92.70% | 26 | |
P.J. Williams | S | Saints | 48.80% | 29 | |
Kwon Alexander | LB | Saints | 47.90% | 28 | |
Tre'Quan Smith | WR | Saints | 47.70% | 26 | |
Terron Armstead | LT | Saints | 42.80% | 31 | |
Jameis Winston | QB | Saints | 34.00% | 28 | |
Trevor Siemian | QB | Saints | 32.90% | 31 | |
Christian Ringo | IDL | Saints | 28.20% | 30 | |
Ty Montgomery | RB | Saints | 27.50% | 29 | |
Kenny Stills | WR | Saints | 25.10% | 30 | |
Jordan Mills | RT | Saints | 20.30% | 32 | |
Jalyn Holmes | IDL | Saints | 16.90% | 26 | |
Jeff Heath | S | Saints | 6.50% | 31 | |
Caleb Benenoch | RG | Saints | 4.50% | 28 | |
James Carpenter | LG | Saints | 3.20% | 33 | |
Ken Crawley | CB | Saints | 1.40% | 29 | |
Dwayne Washington | RB | Saints | 1.40% | 28 |