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Cap-strapped Saints were prepared to release Pro Bowl guard Jahri Evans, now negotiating to keep him,

Jahri Evans, one of the New Orleans Saints' most decorated players and their anchor on the offensive line for nearly 10 seasons, faces an uncertain future with the team.

The Saints were initially prepared to release Evans, according to league sources, as they work to get under the NFL salary cap by the new league year on March 10. However, they've recently reached out to Evans' camp to figure out a way to keep him.

The Saints are at least $20 million over the NFL's projected salary cap of $143 million for each team next season. They can get close to that number through simple contract restructures, but still face some difficult decisions about what to do with their high-priced veterans.

The Saints cannot afford to bring back Evans and fellow guard Ben Grubbs at their current salaries. Grubbs' 2015 cap number is $9.6 million.

Saints officials have had several talks with Evans and his representatives in the past few weeks about the 31-year-old Pro Bowl guard's status for 2015 and beyond, according to league sources.

Those talks have included the possibility of a pay cut as Evans, who is slated to make $7.5 million in salary and bonuses in 2015, would carry a cap hit of $11 million. In 2016, his salary and bonuses escalate to $8.7 million with a cap number of $10.2 million.

Cap-strapped Saints were prepared to release Pro Bowl guard Jahri Evans, now negotiating to keep him, sources say | NOLA.com

lee909

Evans wants to stay and this outs pressure on him and his age ts to realistic and redo the deal. The team will look after him if he does.

Id be more than happy to see him stay.

RaginCajun83

Sounds like a hard ball negotiation ploy by Loomis

ScottF

seems like a smart guy, so he should be able to figure out what his market value is

papz

It's was only inevitable we cut or asked one of our two guards to restructure. I think a 2.8 million dollar pay cut to 4 million would be pretty fair for both parties. If he's unwilling, I want La'el Collins even more. If he takes it, we still need to draft his replacement(or Grubbs) in the mid rounds this year. Lots of quality interior lineman in this year's draft imo.

RaginCajun83

If they only can keep one I'd prefer they keep Evans, just haven't seen Grubbs live up to his reputation from Baltimore

QBREES9

He has been one of the best.

ChrisXVI

Makes me wonder if this really was more accurate than thought:
http://blackandgold.com/saints/69111...ans-rumor.html

jeanpierre

Grubbs has to geaux; Evans at a contract commensurate with his production, but respect for what he's given as a Saint...

hagan714

yeah baby we load up on the picks

Evans to the Bills for a 2nd

drew is sent to the browns for both #1s also.

and we go after winston