The next domino has fallen on the New Orleans Saints offseason. The team reported the release of veteran guard Nick Easton on Friday’s update to the daily NFL transactions wire, a move that creates $5.875 million in 2021 salary cap space.
However, this wasn’t purely a panic-driven move in New Orleans’ dive to get beneath the salary cap. Easton’s level of play — and injury history — didn’t line up with the $6.875 million he was due to account for in 2021. With just $1 million guaranteed to Easton and good options along the interior line, it makes sense for the Saints to go this route.