Popular sports contract tracking company “Spotrac” released their initial 2025 NFL Salary Cap projection ahead of free agency. While there are ways to move around money and navigate the salary cap quite easily in the NFL, the value indicated by Spotrac shows whether teams will need to release or trade players before signing new ones when free agency opens.
As has become quite common in recent seasons when Spotrac releases their initial projection, the New Orleans Saints are in the negative regarding the amount of cap room they have going into free agency. As a result, football fans have taken to social media to discuss the Saints’ dismal situation.
What Did Spotrac Reveal About the New Orleans Saints?
Spotrac revealed that the Saints have the least cap space out of all 32 teams in the National Football League.
At this time, the Saints are projected to have approximately negative $51 million in cap space, almost $25 million less than the next worst team.
Projected Top 51 NFL Cap Space
1. #Patriots, $123M
2. #Raiders, $95M
3. #Commanders, $80M
4. #Cardinals, $71M
5. #Bears, $65M
…
30. #Dolphins, -$15M
31. #Browns, -$27M
32. #Saints, -$51MTrack All: https://t.co/aU10kAXGMr
— Spotrac (@spotrac) February 10, 2025
In response, one individual was sarcastic in their assessment of the Saints financial situation.
“Good thing the Saints are so close to being a SB contender,” they said.
Good thing the Saints are so close to being a SB contender
— vic (@themanvic) February 10, 2025
Next, one person highlighted how a poor salary cap projection has become a yearly tradition for the Saints.
“Saints fans every year seeing this like it’s groundhogs day,” they stated.
Saints fans every year seeing this like it’s groundhogs day.
— Johnny GB (@JohnnyGB412) February 10, 2025
Finally, one user explained how the Saints have managed their finances poorly over the years.
“Saints have been terrible for a long time with their cap. Every year they’re negative,” they added.
Saints have been terrible for a long time with their cap. Every year they're negative
— NBA Hoops Online (@NBABoards) February 10, 2025
New Orleans Saints’ Offseason Outlook
While a negative cap is problematic for the best of teams, the Saints have not been contending for the Super Bowl nor the playoffs since the 2020 season. As a result, the Saints are at a crossroads.
Though they have exciting young talents in wide receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, they also have numerous expensive veteran players who have not performed to expectations in recent years.
33-year-old quarterback Derek Carr holds a cap hit of approximately $51 and $61 million over the next two respective seasons. Dual-threat athlete Taysom Hill is coming off an ACL injury and is set to cost a cap hit of about $18 million, and he will turn 35 by the time next season starts.
Finally, though he has been one of the best Saints in recent decades, Cam Jordan will be 36 at the start of next season and will carry a cap hit of approx. $20 million.
As a result, it will be interesting to see how the Saints handle their cap situation this offseason, as well as which positions they focus on in the 2025 NFL Draft and the upcoming free agency cycle.