The Saints' official announcement said Fairley signed a one-year deal, but the actual contract is for three years, the Boston Globe reported. However, the final two years of the contract void automatically if Fairley is still on the roster in February.


The maneuver allows the Saints to spread Fairley's $2.235 million signing bonus over three years, instead of just one, limiting the deal's impact on the 2016 salary cap.


In practice, Fairley signed a one-year, $3 million deal, but it will count only $1.51 million against the 2016 salary cap.