If you are a fan of the New Orleans Saints, you might be curious about how much money they spend on their players, coaches, staff, and owner. How do they compare to other NFL teams in terms of salary cap, contracts, and net worth? Who are the highest-paid and lowest-paid players on the roster? In this article, we will answer these questions and more, using the latest information available for the 2023 season.
The New Orleans Saints are one of the most successful franchises in the NFL, having won one Super Bowl title, six NFC South division titles, and 12 playoff appearances since their inception in 1967. They are also one of the most popular teams in the league, ranking fourth in average attendance and seventh in merchandise sales in 2022. However, success and popularity come at a price, and the Saints have to manage their finances carefully to comply with the NFL salary cap rules and remain competitive.
New Orleans Saints Players Salary 2023
The salary cap is the limit on the total amount of money that each team can spend on player salaries in a given year. The cap is determined by a formula that takes into account the league’s revenue, projected growth, benefits, and other factors. For the 2023 season, the salary cap is set at $208.2 million per team, an increase of $25.7 million from 2022. The cap is expected to rise further in the next few years as the NFL recovers from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and benefits from new media deals.
The Saints have been one of the most aggressive teams in spending close to or above the cap limit in recent years, often using creative accounting methods such as restructuring contracts, adding void years, converting base salaries into signing bonuses, and using post-June 1 designations to create more cap space. These maneuvers allow them to retain their core players and sign new talent, but they also create future cap liabilities and dead money. Dead money is the amount of cap space that is allocated to players who are no longer on the roster due to trades, releases, or retirements.
New Orleans Saints Players Contract
A website that tracks NFL contracts and salaries, the Saints have a total cap allocation of $185.8 million for 62 signed players as of October 20, 2023. This leaves them with $22.4 million in cap space for the rest of the season. However, they also have $31.5 million in dead money, which ranks second-highest in the league behind the Detroit Lions ($42.9 million). The Saints’ dead money is mostly due to the departure of former quarterback Drew Brees ($11.5 million), who retired after the 2020 season, and former defensive end Marcus Davenport ($9.6 million), who was traded to the Cleveland Browns before the 2023 season.
Saints’ highest-paid players
The Saints’ highest-paid player in 2023 is defensive end Cameron Jordan, who has a cap hit of $16.9 million. Jordan signed a two-year extension worth $27.9 million in June 2021, which included $28.5 million in guarantees. Jordan is a six-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro who has been with the Saints since 2011. He has recorded 97 sacks, 12 forced fumbles, and 11 fumble recoveries in his career.
The second-highest-paid player on the team is wide receiver Michael Thomas, who has a cap hit of $14.3 million. Thomas signed a five-year extension worth $100 million in July 2019, which made him the highest-paid receiver in NFL history at the time. Thomas is a three-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro who led the league in receptions (149) and receiving yards (1,725) in 2019. However, he has been plagued by injuries and off-field issues since then, missing most of the 2020 season and being placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list for the first six weeks of 2023.
The third-highest-paid player on the roster is cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who has a cap hit of $11.7 million. Lattimore signed a five-year extension worth $97.6 million in September 2021, which included $58.1 million in guarantees. Lattimore is a four-time Pro Bowler and a former Defensive Rookie of the Year who has been with the Saints since 2017. He has intercepted 11 passes and defended 66 passes in his career.
lowest-paid players
The lowest-paid player on the team is fullback Adam Prentice, who has a base salary of $940,000 and no bonuses or guarantees. Prentice joined the Saints as an undrafted free agent out of South Carolina in May 2021. He made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers and has played mostly on special teams.
The Saints’ coaching staff is led by Dennis Allen, who took over as head coach after Sean Payton stepped down in January 2021. Allen was previously the defensive coordinator for the Saints since 2015 and has been credited with improving the team’s defense over the years. Allen’s salary has not been officially disclosed, but he is expected to earn around $8 million per year, according to NFL.com. Allen’s contract runs through 2024.
The Saints’ offensive coordinator is Pete Carmichael, who has been with the team since 2006 and has been the play-caller since 2009. Carmichael’s salary is also unknown, but he is estimated to make around $4 million per year, according to Sports Illustrated. Carmichael’s contract expires after the 2023 season.
The Saints’ defensive coordinator is Joe Woods, who joined the team in February 2021 after serving as the defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns for two seasons. Woods’ salary is not publicly available, but he is likely to earn around $2 million per year, based on the average salary of NFL defensive coordinators. Woods’ contract length is unknown.
The Saints’ owner is Gayle Benson, who inherited the team from her late husband Tom Benson in 2018. Benson also owns the New Orleans Pelicans of the NBA and several other businesses in Louisiana. According to Forbes, Benson’s net worth is $4.7 billion as of October 2021, making her the richest person in Louisiana and the 10th-richest owner in the NFL.
The Saints are one of the most valuable franchises in the NFL, with an estimated worth of $3.2 billion, according to Forbes. They rank 19th among the 32 teams in terms of value and revenue ($477 million). The Saints have a loyal fan base that supports them through thick and thin, as evidenced by their high attendance and merchandise sales. The Saints also have a long-term lease with the Caesars Superdome, which underwent a $450 million renovation in 2020 and 2021.
The Saints are hoping to return to their winning ways in 2023 after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016. They have a talented roster that features several Pro Bowlers and All-Pros, as well as a new quarterback in Derek Carr who can elevate their offense. They also have a stable coaching staff that has proven its ability to adapt and overcome challenges. However, they also face some obstacles, such as a tough schedule, a competitive division, and a tight salary cap situation. The Saints will need to perform at their best and avoid major injuries and distractions if they want to achieve their ultimate goal of winning another Super Bowl title.
Conclusion
The New Orleans Saints are one of the most fascinating teams in the NFL, both on and off the field. They have a rich history, a passionate fan base, a successful organization, and a generous owner. They also have a lot of money invested in their players, coaches, staff, and facilities. In this article, we have provided an overview of how much money they spend on each aspect of their team and how they compare to other teams in the league. We hope you have enjoyed this article and learned something new about the Saints.
Most asked questions and answers
Q: Who is the highest-paid player on the New Orleans Saints?
A: The highest-paid player on the Saints is defensive end Cameron Jordan, who has a cap hit of $16.9 million in 2023.
Q: Who is the lowest-paid player on the New Orleans Saints?
A: The lowest-paid player on the Saints is fullback Adam Prentice, who has a base salary of $940,000 and no bonuses or guarantees.
Q: Who is the head coach of the New Orleans Saints?
A: The head coach of the Saints is Dennis Allen, who took over after Sean Payton stepped down in January 2021.
Q: Who is the owner of the New Orleans Saints?
A: The owner of the Saints is Gayle Benson, who inherited the team from her late husband Tom Benson in 2018.
Q: How much is Gayle Benson worth? A: According to Forbes, Gayle Benson’s net worth is $4.7 billion as of October 2021.
Q: How much are the New Orleans Saints worth? A: According to Forbes, the Saints are worth $3.2 billion as of September 2021.
Q: How much do the New Orleans Saints spend on player salaries? A: According to Spotrac.com, the Saints have a total cap allocation of $185.8 million for 62 signed players as of October 20, 2023.
Q: How much do the New Orleans Saints spend on coaching salaries?
A: The exact amount of coaching salaries is not publicly available, but it is estimated that Dennis Allen earns around $8 million per year, Pete Carmichael earns around $4 million per year, and Joe Woods earns around $2 million per year