Report: New Orleans Saints To Restructure Contract Of Cesar Ruiz

Another restructured contract on the way for the Saints as they work to create salary cap room before free agency.

ESPN Insider Jeremy Fowler reports on Friday that the New Orleans Saints plan to restructure the contract of offensive guard Cesar Ruiz. Earlier this week, the Saints restructured contracts of C Erik McCoy and QB Derek Carr to create approximately $30 million dollars in salary cap space. A restructure of Ruiz would create about another $6 million in cap space. 

Ruiz, 24, was the 24th selection in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Michigan by the Saints. He reached a contract extension with New Orleans prior to the start of last season that included an $8 million dollar roster bonus. The Saints are expected to convert that into a signing bonus that can be spread out over the remaining four years of his contract. 

Ruiz has had an up-and-down career. He's appeared in 62 of a possible 67 games since being drafted, including 56 starts. Most of those starts have come at right guard, between McCoy and RT Ryan Ramczyk to form the strength of what has been an inconsistent offensive line. 

New Orleans Saints guard Cesar Ruiz (51) blocks against the Philadelphia Eagles. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

On Friday, the NFL announced that the 2024 salary cap for each team would be $255.4 million, an increase of nearly $31 million from last year.

After restructuring Carr, McCoy, and Ruiz, the Saints are expected to be around $36 million over the salary cap. Expect the team to restructure several more contracts before the start of free agency on March 13.