Tag: 2022 season

Terron Armstead leads NFC offensive tackles in Pro Bowl voting

Terron Armstead leads NFC offensive tackles in Pro Bowl voting

It’s about time that Terron Armstead started getting his due credit. The New Orleans Saints left tackle leads all NFC offensive tackles — on either side of the line — in Pro Bowl voting through the first two weeks, with an impressive 64,868 ballots putting him on top, per a Thursday NFL release.

That’s big enough on its own, but then you look at the other conference and realize that he’s halfway towards lapping his AFC counterpart again; Kansas City Chiefs left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. leads his conference with just 41,803 votes up to this point in the process. Being the best player on what’s become the league’s best offensive line has its perks.

One of those perks will be the titanic contract extension Armstead signs in the offseason, potentially with another team. But that’s something worth worrying about later on. For now, be sure to cast your vote for Armstead and his Saints teammates.

A couple of other Saints players are awful close to taking the lead at their position groups: Deonte Harris has the third-most votes among all returns specialists, while running back Alvin Kamara and defensive end Cameron Jordan are each ranked eighth among their peers.

Let’s push them over the top. Fans can vote using the hashtag #ProBowlFanVote on Twitter along with the first and last names of the player, the player’s official Twitter handle, or a hashtag including the player’s first and last name. This ends Dec. 16, and rosters will be announced live on NFL Network and ESPN Dec. 20. The 2022 Pro Bowl itself will be played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday, Feb. 6.

[listicle id=59866]

Saints dead cap: 58 players account for over $42.9 million

Saints dead cap: 58 players account for over $42.9 million

[sendtonews_embed video_id=”H1irsAsMf2-1628683-7498″]

It’s tough to field a competitive roster when over 23% of your salary cap commitments are going to players not on the roster, but the New Orleans Saints have done it anyway. They’re right in the thick of the NFC playoff picture with a 5-4 record, coming off of two extremely tight losses, and there isn’t a team in the NFL eager to suit up against them.

But who is all of that money going to? And why?

Dead money is the salary cap dollars left over from previous contracts. Whenever a player signs a deal with a signing bonus or partially guaranteed salary and ultimately gets released, traded, or chooses to retire, some of those contract guarantees are left behind. These aren’t new checks the Saints have to sign and cut each week — these bills have already been paid, but for accounting purposes they’re left on the books until the contract as written has expired.

But some players currently under contract are technically still counting towards that dead money total, because they were released and returned on a new deal. Fullback Alex Armah Jr. is a good example — his initial Saints contract, signed early in the offseason, carried $234,000 in partially-guaranteed salary and $137,500 in its signing bonus when the team cut him in August. But he returned to the practice squad a few days later and was then signed to the 53-man roster, so the Saints ended up paying him twice (even if the total amount is negligible).

This is the closest the Saints have been to “salary cap hell” in some time, but it’s only temporary. They’re already on the hook for more than $12.4 million in 2022 and almost all of that is tied up in their final cap hit for Drew Brees ($11.5 million), with another $850,000 accounting for Latavius Murray’s terminated contract. A handful of rookie contracts that had small signing bonuses make up the rest. That number will change in the offseason once the team begins to make cap cuts and potentially offload veteran contracts (trading Michael Thomas, for example, would leave at least $8.9 million on the books if done after June 1, 2022) but we shouldn’t see anything quite this distract again for some time.

Four other NFL teams currently have more resources tied up in dead money than the Saints right now: the 7-3 Los Angeles Rams ($45.5 million), the 5-5 Carolina Panthers ($50.5 million), this week’s opponent, the 4-6 Philadelphia Eagles ($62 million), and the 0-8-1 Detroit Lions ($63.1 million). Here is the full list of 58 contracts currently accounting for $42,948,318 against the Saints salary cap:

NFL to relax alternate helmet restrictions in 2022, here’s what the Saints’ could look like

NFL to relax alternate helmet restrictions in 2022, here’s what the Saints’ could look like

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyahgz6p2j3xp7 player_id=none image=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Good news, everyone! ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the NFL will allow teams to introduce alternate helmets for the 2022 season, with league spokesman Brian McCarthy clarifying that franchises must notify the NFL office of their plans for the new gear “by no later than July 31.” So while this change won’t come into effect this season, we could see a new look for the New Orleans Saints in 2022.

But there’s a catch, unfortunately. Chris Creamer of SportsLogos.Net adds that alternate helmets are only available for era-accurate throwback uniforms, or designs already in use for existing alternates or “Color Rush” variants. That means the popular Saints “Color Rush” uniforms could qualify for a matching white helmet, though there isn’t an official design in circulation just yet. New Orleans has worn those alternates as often as the league allows, and even petitioned for special permission in the playoffs, so they have time to figure out a plan.

It’s a blessing and a curse that the Saints got their look right the first time. They’ve tweaked the striping, fonts, and occasionally color saturation over the decades, but today’s uniforms aren’t that different from what New Orleans rolled out back in the day. That leaves just one possible alternate helmet for the Saints to dust off: their black helmets worn during the 1969 preseason, which made an immediate hit with players and fans but were banned by the NFL following a marketing dispute. Have a look for yourself:

These black helmets would look terrific with the “Black and Gold” throwbacks the Saints have used sparingly, most recently in 2016’s game with the Detroit Lions (and before that, in 2011 against the Houston Texans). Maybe pairing those throwbacks with alternate helmets would encourage the Saints to bring them back out into the light.

[listicle id=44664]

Bears players entering free agency following 2021 season

Here’s a look at the Bears players set to hit the free-agent market in 2022.

While we’re still a few months from the start of the 2021 season, it’s not too early to take a look at what the Chicago Bears will be facing in terms of their roster during the 2022 offseason.

In 2022, the Bears will have 50 free agents, including 23 unrestricted free agents (UFA), four with void years, six restricted free agents (RFA) and 17 exclusive rights free agents (ERFA), per Over The Cap.

There are some players due for a contract extension, including linebacker Roquan Smith, defensive tackle Bilal Nichols and offensive lineman James Daniels. And there are also some big names that Chicago will have to make a decision on, including wide receiver Allen Robinson and defensive tackle Akiem Hicks

Here’s a look at the Bears players set to hit the open market in 2022.

Saints projected to be under the 2022 salary cap ceiling by less than $1M

The NFL announced its 2022 salary cap ceiling, and for once the New Orleans Saints are projected to start the year already in the black.

[mm-video type=video id=01f5hk4wbn28702efr9x playlist_id=01eqbyahgz6p2j3xp7 player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01f5hk4wbn28702efr9x/01f5hk4wbn28702efr9x-b0933b60c8469785e11f6c31ede95806.jpg]

Good news, everyone! It’s very early and there’s a lot of work to be done before anything is written in permanent ink, but for now, the New Orleans Saints are already under next year’s salary cap.

Well, not exactly. The NFL announced this week that it has agreed to set a $208.2 million salary cap ceiling for the 2022 season — a number that will only be realized if the league makes serious revenue gains in 2021, which is possible with stadiums expecting to return to full capacity after the COVID-19 pandemic delivered a hit to league ownership’s pocketbooks in 2020. Still, a $25.7 million jump in the salary cap from the 2020 figure ($182.5 million) feels optimistic.

But that’s as high as the cap could go, with any additional revenue put towards player benefits, which was negotiated by the NFLPA. While a salary cap floor has not been set (as was the case last year), we’re expecting some growth, but there isn’t much agreement on just how far the NFL will be able to get back on track after an unprecedented down year. League finances still aren’t where they were expected to be before the pandemic.

Let’s circle back to New Orleans. The Saints are projected by Over The Cap’s analysts to have about $207.6 million against the cap for 2022, which does mean they’re cap compliant (by roughly $600,000; right now, they’re estimate to be nearly $300,000 beneath the 2021 cap), but it’s more complicated than that. They only have 39 players under contract right now, and officially signing their rookie class just gets them halfway towards their 90-man roster limit.

And their upcoming free agent crop includes highly-valued starters in franchise tagged safety Marcus Williams, All-Pro left tackle Terron Armstead, former first round picks Marshon Lattimore and Ryan Ramczyk, as well as quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill; not to mention contributors like Tre’Quan Smith, P.J. Williams, Shy Tuttle, Carl Granderson, and Deonte Harris (luckily, Tuttle, Granderson, and Harris are each restricted free agents).

Plus, let’s remember that the actual salary cap could arrive beneath than that $207.6 million limit. If everything goes well, the Saints will start off already beneath the cap for once, avoiding another wave of cap cuts and roster erosion. And NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill identified several easy contract tweaks the Saints could make to free up $20 million in cap space without losing anyone.

With the salary cap expected to go to the moon in 2023 once new broadcasting rights deals and sports gambling agreements come into effect, there’s a very real light at the end of the tunnel. In the meantime, the Saints will have to cut every coupon and flip over their couch cushions to stretch their dollars.

[vertical-gallery id=44369]

Here’s where the Bears currently stand with the 2022 salary cap

With the NFL setting the 2022 salary cap ceiling at $208.2 million, here’s a look at where the Bears currently stand.

While the salary cap has certainly been an issue for the Chicago Bears this offseason, that shouldn’t be the case next year. And that doesn’t just have to do with the salary cap increase for next season.

The NFL set the salary cap ceiling for 2022 at $208.2 million. That would be a $25.7 million increase from this season’s cap of $182.5 million. Although, we won’t know the final salary cap until next February.

While things certainly are going to change over the next year, the Bears currently have $163.11 million committed to contracts next season. They’re projected to be under the salary cap with $45.08 million in cap space for 2022, which is the 12th most in the NFL. They currently have 35 players under contract for next season.

General manager Ryan Pace has plenty of work to do in terms of working on contract extensions for a few players, including wide receiver Allen Robinson, linebacker Roquan Smith, offensive lineman James Daniels and defensive tackle Bilal Nichols.

Where things currently stand, Chicago currently has just $219,000 in cap space. But that’s without Charles Leno’s pending release, which goes into effect after June 1. The move will effectively clear up $9 million in cap space, which will allow the Bears to sign its current class of rookies.

[listicle id=473254]

NFL agrees to $208.2M salary cap ceiling for 2022 season

There’s some clarity about the salary cap for the 2022 season, where the NFL has agreed to a $208.2M ceiling.

It’s been a rough offseason for the Chicago Bears due to salary cap constraints for the 2021 season, which saw the departure of cornerback Kyle Fuller in free agency. But there’s some clarity about the salary cap for the 2022 season that should alleviate the same stress from this offseason.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the NFL and NFLPA have agreed to a $208.2 million salary cap ceiling for the 2022 season. That would be a $25.7 million increase from this season’s cap of $182.5 million. Although, we won’t know the final salary cap until next February.

Following loss of revenue amid the COVID-19 pandemic, both sides agreed to spread the loss over the next few years, which dropped the salary cap for the 2021 season.

Where things currently stand, the Bears currently have just $219,000 in cap space. But that’s without Charles Leno’s impending release, which goes into effect after June 1. The move will officially clear up $9 million in cap space, which will allow Chicago to sign its current crop of rookies.

The Bears are set to have roughly $40 million in salary cap space for the 2022 season with just 39 players currently under contract for that year.

[listicle id=473254]

With their 2021 salary cap situation settled, where do the Saints stand for 2022?

Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane shared his projected 2022 salary cap numbers, which would be great for the New Orleans Saints.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyahgz6p2j3xp7 player_id=none image=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

There’s a light at the end of the tunnel. With lucrative contract extensions worked out between the NFL and its broadcasting partners, the salary cap is going to the moon — but not until 2023. That means another lean year is in store for the Saints and every other team as they work towards salary cap compliance next year.

It wasn’t easy, but the Saints were able to reach cap compliance in 2021 by cutting costs throughout their roster, and they are worse off for it. It’s going to introduce new hurdles for them to overcome by rushing rookies, second-year pros, and career backups into prominent positions.

But Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane expects a healthier salary cap outlook for 2022, though it’s going to take a while longer for teams’ spending habits to get back to normal.

“This next year is still an unknown,” Beane said during an appearance on SiriusXM NFL radio, via Pro Football Talk. “There’s some numbers if stadiums are full, but if they’re not full, the cap this year is 182 [million dollars]. Last year it was 198, so that was a huge drop. We’re kind of projecting 195 to 200 [for the 2022 salary cap]. I’m hoping closer to 200, just to be able to fit as many guys as we can.”

Every team projects its own numbers, but this is probably a good benchmark to keep in mind as the Saints eye the 2022 salary cap. Right now, Over The Cap’s analysts have New Orleans with just over $200.2 million in cap commitments next year, which means they could come close to breaking even if the cap settles at the high end of Beane’s suggestion.

Of course, the Saints have a strong class of 2022 free agents to worry about: both of their bookend tackles Terron Armstead and Ryan Ramczyk, franchise-tagged free safety Marcus Williams, and No. 1 cornerback Marshon Lattimore all among them. Extending any of those players ahead of schedule will go a long way towards making the cap situation more manageable.

So remember: Even if the Saints have to part ways with more good players over the next year, they’ll be able to reload quickly in 2023. That won’t make this any less painful of a process, but it’s something to look forward to. With New Orleans expected to receive nine picks in the 2022 NFL draft, the team will look very different, very soon — but hopefully still as competitive as it’s ever been recently.

[vertical-gallery id=44369]

Here’s the list of Bears that will be free agents in 2022

While we’re still a few months from the start of the 2021 season, we’re taking a look at those Bears that will be free agents in 2022.

While we’re still a few months from the start of the 2021 season, it’s never too early to take a look at what the Chicago Bears will be facing during the 2022 offseason — especially given GM Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy could be on their way out and a rebuild could be on the way.

In 2022, the Bears will have 42 free agents, including 19 unrestricted free agents, three with void years, five restricted free agents and 15 exclusive rights free agents, per Over The Cap.

Here’s a look at the Bears players set to hit the open market in 2022.