Potential salary-related casualties: DT Fairley, TE Coby Fleener, OT Zach Strief, DE Hau'oli Kikaha.

It seems unlikely that Fairley will return, though that has not yet been confirmed. And it's unclear what the Saints' financial obligation will be if he is released from his contract. He was originally supposed to be owed $5 million in guaranteed salary and bonuses this year.

Fleener is owed $6.4 million in salary and bonuses this year -- $3.4 million of which is guaranteed for injury only and is scheduled to become fully guaranteed in March. It seems highly unlikely that he will stay with the Saints unless they work out a pay cut, since his role in the offense has been smaller than expected when he signed a five-year, $36 million deal in 2016. The Saints would still be charged $4.8 million in dead money over the next year or two if they release Fleener.

Strief is owed $4 million in salary and bonuses. But he is 34, missed almost all of last season with a knee injury and his replacement is on the roster (Ryan Ramczyk). Strief is a highly valued leader who could be an ideal backup like Kelemete. But retirement could also be an option. He would leave $1.1 million in dead money.

Kikaha is owed just $1.15 million in the final year of his contract, so he could definitely come back despite battling injuries and a reduced role this season.