Saints linebacker Kiko Alonso agrees to reduced salary in trade

NFL Network reported the terms of the contract.

Miami Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso (47) celebrates forcing a fumble with Miami Dolphins linebacker Chase Allen (59) in the first half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Saints will have Kiko Alonso playing linebacker for them this season, but not at the full cost of his contract.

The Saints will pay $4 million of his $5 million earnings for the 2019 as part of a restructured deal, NFL Network reported Sunday. Miami will pay the other $1 million. Alonso agreed to a reduced salary from the $6.48 million he was due to earn before the Saints and Dolphins swapped linebackers in a trade Sunday.

To facilitate this deal, Kiko Alonso agreed to an adjusted contract that fully guarantees him $5 million with no offsets by next week -- $4M paid by the #Saints and $1M by the #Dolphins. Last year of his contract stays the same, with a $6.4M base salary in 2020. https://t.co/EMxu3pep1O

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 1, 2019

Still to be determined is what role Alonso will play in the Saints linebacker hierarchy. Training camp ended with starting linebacker Alex Anzalone and top backup Craig Robertson both returning from unspecified injuries. 

At $4 million for the season, it doesn't seem likely the Saints would have acquired Alonso without expecting the six-year NFL veteran to have a valued place in the defense. 

The Saints and Dolphins swapped linebackers early Sunday, with Vince Biegel going to Miami. The third-year pro came to New Orleans last season when Green Bay waived him during the roster cut-down process.