Exactly one week ago, it was impossible to resist entertaining at least a hint of optimism. That's when the New Orleans Saints released outside linebacker Junior Galette, deciding a toxic nature away from the field trumped both his production and, more critically, his paycheck.
The Saints axed Galette even though they had paid the 27-year-old $17.95 million since signing him to a new contract in 2014, according to NFL Network’s Albert Breer. According to Sports Illustrated's Chris Burke, the move meant the Saints would absorb a $12.1 million dead-money salary-cap hit for 2016.