The next order of business will be roster building, which starts in free agency. The Saints have several free agents they will try to re-sign, and several they’ll let walk. However, teams and players rarely like to wait until the last minute. That means 2026 free agents, who have one year left on their deals, could be ready to talk business as well— whether that means extensions or a trade.
Here’s a look at all the Saints players entering the final year of their contract in 2025.
Player |
Position |
2025 Cap Number |
---|---|---|
Ryan Ramczyk |
Right tackle |
$12,338,321 |
Cam Jordan |
Defensive end |
$20,061,000 |
Taysom Hill |
Offense |
$17,986,500 |
Demario Davis |
Linebacker |
$12,483,000 |
Tyrann Mathieu |
Safety |
$11,317,000 |
Nathan Shepherd |
Defensive tackle |
$7,015,000 |
Chris Olave |
Wide receiver |
$6,131,959 |
Khalen Saunders |
Defensive tackle |
$4,700,000 |
Foster Moreau |
Tight end |
$4,884,000 |
Jamaal Williams |
Running back |
$3,930,000 |
Trevor Penning |
Right tackle |
$4,500,146 |
JT Gray |
Safety |
$3,580,000 |
Rashid Shaheed |
Wide receiver |
$4,450,000 |
Cedrick Wilson Jr. |
Wide receiver |
$3,400,000 |
Alontae Taylor |
Cornerback |
$2,292,403 |
D’Marco Jackson |
Linebacker |
$1,179,229 |
John Ridgeway III |
Defensive tackle |
$1,100,000 |
Josh Ball |
Left tackle |
$960,000 |
Blake Grupe |
Kicker |
$1,030,834 |
Kyle Hergel |
Offensive lineman |
$960,000 |
Isaiah Stalbird |
Safety |
$960,000 |
Anfernee Orji |
Linebacker |
$960,000 |
Rejzohn Wright |
Cornerback |
$960,000 |
Kevin Austin Jr. |
Wide receiver |
$960,000 |
Jordan Mims |
Running back |
$960,000 |
Based on the volume and names, it looks like pretty much the entire team is entering the final year of their respective deals. In total, it’s 25 guys, with a ton of key players included. Guys like Ryan Ramczyk, who’ll likely retire this offseason, Demario Davis, Cam Jordan, Tyrann Mathieu, Taysom Hill, Chris Olave, and Rashid Shaheed are all included.
This isn’t a coincidence. The Saints very strategically set things up so that most of these contracts end around the same time. For younger guys like Olave and Shaheed, they’ll likely be extended, but for the veterans, New Orleans is definitely pointing to the end of an era.
The question, though, is if this era will come to a graceful end after next season, or will things end abruptly this offseason for some of the players. After a 5-12 season that resulted in a coaching search, the Saints have hit a natural restarting point. Will the new regime inherit all of these high-paid veterans for one final season, or will they be moved as the Saints rebuild?
Those are the questions New Orleans will answer this offseason.