The New Orleans Saints have 16 expiring contracts this offseason with a few notable names on the list. And 13 of those players are unrestricted free agents while Jameis Winston, Andrus Peat and Jameis Winston are all on contracts that void in March.
The majority of the pending free agents are depth pieces the Saints could bring back at a low figure. They also wouldn’t generate much attention if the Saints let them walk in free agency. Andrus Peat doesn’t make the list due to looming question marks on the offensive line. He could be retained to avoid too many new starters on the unit. Which noteworthy players should the Saints decline to re-sign?
Michael Thomas
It feels like Thomas’ time in New Orleans has run its course. Thomas failed to end the season once again and we’re now 4 years from the last time Michael Thomas didn’t spend time on injured reserve. That will likely mark the last time he puts on a Saints jersey.
Jameis Winston
The Saints should re-sign Winston but likely won’t. There was tension between Dennis Allen and Winston in 2022 due to Winston feeling he incorrectly lost his job to injury. That made his return surprising this season. 2023 ended with Winston defying Allen’s decision to take a knee against the Falcons becoming a national story. Winston did it for his teammate, and that will endear him to his teammates, but it likely will put the nail in the coffin of his hopes of returning.
Zack Baun
Zack Baun showed promise, but he isn’t the type of player the Saints like at this position. The Saints need to bolster the position which would likely result in Baun still being sparingly used. New Orleans should decline to re-sign Baun.
