It’s not often you’ll see the New Orleans Saints with tens of millions of dollars in salary cap space sitting unused in mid-June, but that’s where they are right now. The team at Over The Cap estimates the Saints are in the clear by almost exactly $29 million. That lines up with the projection from Spotrac, which is higher by just $9,670. So what’s the question on everyone’s minds? “What are they going to do with that money?”
Historically, the Saints use it to sign next year’s free agents to extensions ahead of time. That’s been the case in summertime extensions for linebacker Pete Werner, right guard Cesar Ruiz, and running back Alvin Kamara, among others. Former all-star wide receiver Michael Thomas inked his new deal in July. The front office likes to hammer these out early, win some goodwill with the players, and maybe save a little money before the market sets their value. It isn’t a bad strategy so long as guys stay healthy and productive.
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So which players are candidates this year? To put the question another way, which Saints players are on track to be free agents in 2026? Who should take priority? We’ve broken down the 2026 free agent class into tiers reflecting how different positions and differences in experience and upside are valued on the open market. It isn’t perfect, but it does help to give us an idea of the work the Saints have ahead of them.
Tier 1: Starters at premium positions under 30
Jun 10, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor (1) looks on during minicamp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
We’re looking at the highest-paid positions here — quarterback, pass-rushing linebackers and defensive linemen, wide receivers, and offensive tackles. The Saints only have a couple of qualifiers in Taylor and Shaheed, who need to prove they can make a consistent and positive impact while staying healthy. But each players’ arrow has been trending up. These are probably the top candidates to work on an extension with this offseason, ahead of the free agency frenzy in 2026.
Tier 2: Starters at other positions under 30
Jul 29, 2022; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Trevor Penning (70) works during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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These positions just aren’t valued as highly on the open market: guards and centers, off-ball linebackers, safeties, tight ends, and running backs. And the way things stand now the only young player in that group looking for a (potentially) big deal in 2026 would be Penning. We’ll see if someone else can emerge over the summer. At this point it feels like Penning has an opportunity to earn a long-term deal if he meets expectations at left guard, but that isn’t a sure thing. He needs to prove it this year.
Tier 3: Veteran starters over 30, regardless of position
Jun 13, 2023; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56) looks on during minicamp at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
All of these guys are getting phased out in the next year or two or three, largely just due to aging out of pro football. And all four of them are playing on expiring contracts. Davis has said he wants to get three more years in, planning to retire after 2027; Mathieu has told people he wants to play at least through 2026, while Jordan and Hill could probably hang it up after 2025. But we’ll see how things develop and how willing the Saints are to work with each of them as their great careers come to a close.
Tier 4: Mid-level veterans, experienced backups
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA – MAY 28: Foster Moreau #87 of the New Orleans Saints attends the OTA Offseason Workout at the New Orleans Saints Practice facility on May 28, 2024 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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These guys don’t really fit into other categories. They’re both 28 years old and making about $4 million per year but aren’t logging starter’s snaps. Moreau did play 69% of them last year but he wasn’t the primary target at tight end, either. Depending on how you feel about either player you could call them undervalued or replacement-level. If nothing else they’re great culture fits and popular in the locker room.
Tier 5: Unestablished draft picks, veteran depth
Jun 10, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (14) during receiver drills during minicamp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
All of these guys are playing on the veteran’s minimum salary, or very close to it. Any of them could surprise us and log a lot of snaps this season. They could also just as easily be inactive for 17 games. Every team has an assortment of players like this to round out their depth chart ahead of training camp.
Tier 6: Specialists, restricted free agents
Jun 10, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints place kicker Blake Grupe (19) looks on during minicamp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Restricted free agents: K Blake Grupe, LB Nephi Sewell
Exclusive rights free agents: WR Kevin Austin Jr., CB Rejzohn Wright, S Isaiah Stalbird, OL Kyle Hergel
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You could argue these two belong in Tier 4, but their roles on special teams kind of demand they be looked at differently. Gray is a three-time All-Pro for his work covering punts and kickoffs but rarely gets on the field with the defense. Grupe has made strides and earned some trust as a place kicker. He’ll be a restricted free agent in 2026 just like Wil Lutz was back in 2019; the Saints bet big on him and bypassed the RFA tenders process to sign Lutz to a five-year extension. Will they take that approach again? It all hinges on whether Grupe can keep kicking well in 2025. As for the ERFA crew — their only options in 2026 will be to return to the Saints on a minimum deal or sit the season out.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: New Orleans Saints free agent tiers: Who should take priority in 2026?