When Evans agreed to the adjusted deal last year, I really thought it was ensuring his future with the Saints for 2015 AND 2016.
Maybe the Saints thought his play had reached a level where they could find a 'replacement player' at a much cheaper value.
I'll be curious to see where and for much Evans signs. If it's for a cheap deal, then the rest of the league apparently agrees with the Saints' evaluation. If he gets some decent dough, maybe he had another year left in him that the Saints would have been wise to use.