Examining the most important queries the Saints have during the offseason

NEW ORLEANS — In the offseason, the New Orleans Saints usually have a plan.

They evaluated the staff and coaches in January; new hires for coaching often start in February.

Major contract restructurings for players usually start in mid-February,

well in advance of the start of the new league year on March 13.

The Saints have already begun making some changes, cutting ties with offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael,

renegotiating the contracts of Jameis Winston and Marshon Lattimore, and firing a few assistants.

Will seasoned players like Alvin Kamara, the running back, and wide receiver Michael Thomas return?

The Saints will have to decide how much it would cost to get Thomas back for another season and whether it is worth it.

Due to a variety of injuries, Thomas hasn’t participated in a full season of play since his record-breaking 2019

campaign. Over the course of the last four seasons, he has participated in 20 games (ten of which have been this

season), catching 95 catches for 1,057 yards and four touchdowns.

Although Thomas, who turns 31 in March, is not a free agent with unlimited options, his contract is structured to

guarantee that he will be treated as one during the summer. Before the third day of the league season, when three

roster bonuses worth about $120 million would ensure if Thomas stays on the squad, the Saints must make a

decision regarding his contract.

Almost everything about this predicament is the same as it was in the spring of last year, when the Saints had to

negotiate his contract twice in the offseason before signing him again for a highly incentive contract in 2023.After

sustaining a season-ending injury in Week 10, Thomas was not able to fulfill any of his incentives for receptions,

receiving yards, touchdowns, or individual distinctions.

The Saints would save $1.5 million against the cap in a release or trade before June 1 if they choose to let go of

Kamara, who had a career-low 694 rushing yards but had 75 receptions in 13 games—eight short of his career best.In

his first season on the team, Kamara’s backup, Jamaal Williams, finished with 306 running yards; rookie Kendre

Miller, who appeared in eight games, gained 156 yards on the ground.

Will Jameis Winston come back to cover?

After renegotiating his deal on January 6, Winston and the Saints need to determine if they want him to rejoin as

Derek Carr’s backup. Similar to Thomas’ contract, the new agreement includes roster bonuses that are guaranteed on

he third day of the league season.

If Winston is designated as a post-June 1 cut, the Saints might avoid paying $1.2 million in cap penalties.

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