The New Orleans Saints have already signed their starter for the future in Derek Carr and are now turning their attention to their former starter Jameis Winston, whom they hope will work with them on a restructured contract.
According to ESPN’s Dianna Russini, the Saints have offered a restructured deal to Winston, who has one year remaining on the two-year deal he signed in 2022, and will have until the start of the new league year next Wednesday to accept or decline the deal.
Should Winston decline, the Saints will release him. Winston’s contract currently counts $15.2 million against the 2023 salary cap for the Saints, and the team can adjust that cap hit by lowering Winston’s $12.8 million base salary to pay him in line with other backups.
In the event that Winston is released by the Saints, the team would save $4.4 million against the cap via a standard release, but will save $12.8 million if Winston is designated a post-June 1st cut instead.
Injuries have plagued Winston over the last few seasons in New Orleans, where the Saints have expected him to entrench himself as their starter. Instead, the Saints have had to turn to the likes of Andy Dalton and Taysom Hill at various times.
Dalton, 35, is set to hit free agency.
