Saints Players That Could Be Targeted for Contract Extension

Which New Orleans players are candidates for an offseason extension? Here are the most likely possibilities.

The New Orleans Saints are expected to compete for the NFC South title and return to the playoffs in 2023 after a two year absence. This is thanks to an aggressive offseason that saw the Saints add QB Derek Carr, RB Jamaal Williams, TE Foster Moreau, DT Nate Shepherd, and DT Khalen Saunders to go along with an impressive draft class.

They'll join established stars like DE Cam Jordan, LB Demario Davis, CB Marshon Lattimore, RB Alvin Kamara, WR Michael Thomas, RT Ryan Ramczyk, and rising stars like WR Chris Olave, C Erik McCoy, LB Pete Werner, and CB Alontae Taylor. 

One thing that's made the Saints so successful over the last seven years is their ability to juggle the salary cap. They've been able to keep most of their talented core, while finding money to bring in new free agents. They've also been aggressive in signing their stars to contract extensions before they even hit the open market. 

Kamara, Thomas, Ramczyk, Jordan, Davis, and Lattimore were all signed to extensions early in training camp or before the start to a season. McCoy agreed to an extension during the year. 

Who will be the next New Orleans player that the team targets for a contract extension?

Here is the list of Saints unrestricted free agents for 2024.

• Cameron Jordan, DE 

• Cesar Ruiz, G 

• Carl Granderson, DE 

• Wil Lutz, K 

• James Hurst, G/T 

• Andrus Peat, G 

• Jameis Winston, QB 

• Malcolm Roach, DT 

• Zack Baun, LB 

• Lonnie Johnson, S/CB

• Zach Wood, LS 

• Bryan Edwards, WR 

• James Washington, WR 

• Jesse James, TE

• Tre'Quan Smith, WR 

• Ugo Amadi, S 

• Jonathan Abram, S

• Isaac Yiadom, CB 

• Eno Benjamin, RB 

• Keke Coutee, WR

• Storm Norton, OT 

• Ty Summers, LB 

New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) hits Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) just as he throws. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY

Unlike in years past, this isn't a daunting list of pending free agents for the Saints. Obviously Jordan is the biggest name, but he's expressed a desire to end his career with the franchise. At 34 on July 10 and entering his 13th season, it seems likely that the team will just try to re-sign Jordan to a series of one-year deals like they previously did with Drew Brees. 

Winston and the oft-injured Andrus Peat are back with the Saints on amended one-year deals. These were surprise moves, but made sense for all sides. It would be a downright shock if either player was with the team beyond this season. 

The Saints signed Derek Carr to be their quarterback. While Winston is arguably one of the league's best backups, the team also drafted Jake Haener with an eye towards the future. Hurst has also been valuable to the team, but more as a versatile fill-in performer. 

Peat has been an underrated contributor, but always spends a large portion of the year on the sidelines. He's missed 30 games over the last five years alone and looked like a player in decline last season.

Hurst has also been valuable to the team, but more versatile as a fill-in performer with bridge starter talent. New Orleans spent a fourth-round draft choice on G Nick Saldiveri, who is projected by most to be a starter by 2024.

New Orleans Saints guard Cesar Ruiz (51) waits for the snap against the Philadelphia Eagles. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

In May, New Orleans elected not to pick up the fifth-year option on the rookie contract of Cesar Ruiz. It made sense. Doing so would have cost the team over $14 million against the 2024 salary cap. Even though that will make Ruiz a free agent at year's end, that still doesn't prevent both sides from working out a long-term deal.

A first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Ruiz was a huge disappointment over his first two seasons. He turned it on in Year 3 and was arguably the team’s most consistent lineman. If Ruiz has a strong start to 2023, that should increase the urgency to get a deal done rather than face the prospect of replacing both guards in 2024.

If you're looking for a darkhorse name to watch for a contract extension, keep an eye on Zack Baun. A third-round choice in 2020, Baun has never been a good fit in the Saints defense. 

Baun will get the first crack at the third linebacker spot alongside Demario Davis and Pete Werner after the offseason departure of Kaden Elliss. It's a thin position to watch closely throughout training camp. 

Jul 29, 2022; New Orleans Saints linebacker Zack Baun (53) tries to punch the ball loose from fullback Adam Prentice (46) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

If Baun wins the job and has a breakout similar to Elliss, it could force New Orleans to try and lock him up during the season. However, the more likely scenario is that he's beaten out by second-year LB D'Marco Jackson or a veteran is signed to take that role.

Ruiz seems the most likely candidate to be approached for a contract extension by the Saints. This is as long as there are assurances that Cam Jordan has no desire to leave New Orleans. Outside of these two players it would be a surprise if any other was targeted for an extension.