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No drama this time -- on Saturday, the New Orleans Saintsannounced a four-year deal with defensive tackle Christen Miller, their second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. That means the team's entire eight-man draft class is now under contract. Because contract guarantees for second rounders have become a battleground between teams and agents in recent years, we've seen the Saints sign those players as early as May 31 and as late as July 19 (when rookies report for training camp). Miller's contract came in weeks ahead of schedule, if not months.
So now the big question we're asking isn't "when will the Saints sign Miller" but instead, "what does the Saints' salary cap look like," so let's dive into it.
After signing seven of their eight picks and restructuring their contract with linebacker Pete Werner, Over The Cap estimated the Saints were under the salary cap by about $9.07 million. OTC's experts also estimate that Miller's 2026 salary cap hit will fall in around $2.16 million. Because only the 51 highest cap hits factor into the salary cap this time of the year, Miller signing will push a lower cap hit (wide receiver Mason Tipton, at $1.07 million) beneath that threshold. The end result: a new salary cap space estimate of $7.98 million.
That's enough cap space to add a couple of minimum-salary contracts ahead of training camp, and to navigate roster moves in-season, but not much more. The Saints are still working on a long-term extension with star wide receiver Chris Olave which could lower his 2026 cap hit ($15.49 million, leading the team). At the same time, these rookie deals factor into future years' cap outlooks, too:
If you think those future years look ridiculous, you're right. That's because the Saints just don't have many players under contract past 2027 (with 55 players under contract). Many of their current deals will void out by 2028 (30 players under contract) and 2029 (20 players under contract). This is what rebuilding a team and turning over talent looks like. Extending Olave will cut into those future cap space estimates (expect his deal to clock in with annual cap hits, initially, at around $30 million per year). But the Saints are positioning themselves to be major players in free agency in 2027 and beyond. If Kellen Moore can lead them to more wins in 20226, he'll have plenty of resources with which to build out his team.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Updated Saints salary cap space after signing rookie Christen Miller
Continue reading...
So now the big question we're asking isn't "when will the Saints sign Miller" but instead, "what does the Saints' salary cap look like," so let's dive into it.
After signing seven of their eight picks and restructuring their contract with linebacker Pete Werner, Over The Cap estimated the Saints were under the salary cap by about $9.07 million. OTC's experts also estimate that Miller's 2026 salary cap hit will fall in around $2.16 million. Because only the 51 highest cap hits factor into the salary cap this time of the year, Miller signing will push a lower cap hit (wide receiver Mason Tipton, at $1.07 million) beneath that threshold. The end result: a new salary cap space estimate of $7.98 million.
That's enough cap space to add a couple of minimum-salary contracts ahead of training camp, and to navigate roster moves in-season, but not much more. The Saints are still working on a long-term extension with star wide receiver Chris Olave which could lower his 2026 cap hit ($15.49 million, leading the team). At the same time, these rookie deals factor into future years' cap outlooks, too:
- 2026: $7.98 million in cap space (with a $301.2 million salary cap)
- 2027: $48.94 million in cap space (estimating a $327 million salary cap)
- 2028: $194.95 million in cap space (estimating a $352 million salary cap)
- 2029: $307.53 million in cap space (estimating a $378 million salary cap)
If you think those future years look ridiculous, you're right. That's because the Saints just don't have many players under contract past 2027 (with 55 players under contract). Many of their current deals will void out by 2028 (30 players under contract) and 2029 (20 players under contract). This is what rebuilding a team and turning over talent looks like. Extending Olave will cut into those future cap space estimates (expect his deal to clock in with annual cap hits, initially, at around $30 million per year). But the Saints are positioning themselves to be major players in free agency in 2027 and beyond. If Kellen Moore can lead them to more wins in 20226, he'll have plenty of resources with which to build out his team.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Updated Saints salary cap space after signing rookie Christen Miller
Continue reading...
