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3 Players the Saints Won't Be Able to Keep This Offseason

By Will Coleman

Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgwater, left, quickly runs through the playbook with head coach Sean Payton.
Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgwater, left, quickly runs through the playbook with head coach Sean Payton. / Stephen Brashear/Getty Images

This offseason could have looked a lot different for the New Orleans Saints had quarterback Drew Brees retired, but that's not the case. While Brees has yet to come to terms with the Saints on a new contract, it's doubtful he takes a pay cut to help the team's salary cap situation.

New Orleans also committed $100 million to star wide receiver Michael Thomas last summer on a five-year extension, which doesn't help their cap situation either. The Saints have a whopping 24 unrestricted free agents hitting the open market in addition to a number of cap casualties, and not all of them can stay. Here are three players New Orleans will likely move on from in 2020.

3. Kiko Alonso

Saints linebacker Kiko Alonso receives medical attention on the field during a Wild Card loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Saints linebacker Kiko Alonso receives medical attention on the field during a Wild Card loss to the Minnesota Vikings. / Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

The Saints acquired Kiko Alonso from the Dolphins at the start of the 2019 season, and the linebacker had to comply with a slightly reduced salary because of it. Alonso started just four games for New Orleans last season in its four-linebacker defensive scheme, and even had trouble finding playing time despite Alex Anzalone winding up on IR. The 29-year-old posted career lows in practically every major statistical category, including 31 combined tackles over 13 games played. This past January, Alonso suffered the third ACL injury of his pro career when the Saints lost at home to the Vikings in the Wild Card round. With a long rehab process ahead of him, it's doubtful New Orleans even makes an effort to bring him back for next season.

2. Eli Apple

Saints cornerback Eli Apple celebrates with teammates in the end zone after beating the Carolina Panthers.
Saints cornerback Eli Apple celebrates with teammates in the end zone after beating the Carolina Panthers. / Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

The Saints have a history of developing Ohio State products in their secondary, but ex-Buckeye Eli Apple's time in New Orleans was temporary. The cornerback failed to live up to his expectations with the New York Giants, and the Saints were able to acquire him ahead of the 2018 trade deadline for a pair of late-round draft picks. Apple's rookie contract carried over with him to New Orleans, but they jumped the gun in declining to pick up his fifth-year option last May. This free agent class is filled with cornerbacks and safeties, so Apple should have no problem finding a new home for 2020.

1. Teddy Bridgewater

Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater heads back to the locker room during a game against the Carolina Panthers.
Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater heads back to the locker room during a game against the Carolina Panthers. / Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater's future in the NFL was set in motion last month when Brees announced that he'd be sticking around for at least one more season. After battling a slew of injuries toward the beginning of his pro career, Bridgewater's last two contracts had been one-year deals – a trend that could continue this offseason. The 27-year appeared in nine games for the Saints in 2019 and went 5-0 as a starter in relief of an injured Brees. With several starting quarterback jobs opening up around the league, Bridgewater is finally able to look forward to being a team's go-to guy again. It would have been nice to see him play in New Orleans as the heir to Brees' throne, but they don't have the money to pay him to wait around any longer.