New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - Saints’ new contract details and cap-space estimate

We’re still waiting on the specific details of some of the New Orleans Saints’ newest contracts, so it’s impossible to specify exactly where they stand against the salary cap.

By my math, they’re about $6 million over the cap after their latest flurry of moves. But new linebacker Dannell Ellerbe was reportedly willing to restructure his contract – which I assume will include a significant drop in his 2015 salary and cap hit of $8.45 million.

Even so, the Saints will likely have to find a couple more ways to trim some cap space, whether that includes more contract restructures or player cuts. So stay tuned.

I believe guard Jahri Evans’ job security is a bit safer after the team traded away fellow guard Ben Grubbs, but I don’t know that for sure. It’s also possible the team will try to work out a pay cut with Evans.

Brandon Browner's deal with the Saints is worth almost exactly $5 million per year, but is cap-friendly in 2015.

In the meantime, here are some details on the Saints’ latest additions:

Brandon Browner deal: The Saints signed Browner to a three-year, $15 million contract that comes with a 2015 cap cost of just $2.4 million.

The deal includes $7.75 in fully-guaranteed money, including a $3.9 million signing bonus and fully guaranteed base salaries of $1.1 million in 2015 and $2.75 million in 2016. But the contract also includes more playing-time incentives than most deals.

If Browner is active for all 16 games, he’ll earn exactly $5 million in each of his three seasons. He has base salaries of $2.75 million in both 2016 and 2017, plus $750,000 roster bonuses due in March in each of those years. Then he can earn up to $750,000 more each year in weekly bonuses for being on the 53-man roster – plus another $750,000 each year in weekly bonuses for being on the active 46-man roster.

The deal also includes up to $500,000 in “not likely to be earned” bonuses in both 2015 and 2017 based on playing time and making the Pro Bowl – which could bump the total value up to $16 million over three years, if reached.

C.J. Spiller deal: Spiller’s contract is worth $18 million over four seasons, including $9 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. The final year can be voided if unspecified thresholds are met. Other reports have the deal including a $5 million signing bonus.

I’m still waiting to see the full breakdown of the deal, though I’m guessing the 2015 cap hit will be somewhere between $2.25 million and $3 million.

Dannell Ellerbe deal: The Saints inherited the final three years of Ellerbe’s deal with the Miami Dolphins, which includes a total of $20.95 million – including $8.45 million this year. He had reportedly agreed to restructure the deal to join the Saints because he was in danger of being released by Miami. I have to assume that will include a substantial pay cut and maybe involve a signing bonus that makes it even more cap-friendly in the short term. But we’re still waiting to see the new numbers.

New Orleans Saints new contract details and cap-space estimate - ESPN