New Orleans Saints star reportedly dealing with potential career-ending injury.
With Sean Payton, Michael Thomas, Alvin Kamara, Drew Brees, and a strong offensive line, the New Orleans Saints boasted one of the strongest offenses for many years. With Payton and Brees already gone as the 2023 NFL season comes to an end, there’s a potential that another essential component of the Saints’ success may be forced to retire.
From 2017 to 2020, New Orleans won the NFC South four times in a row, dominating the NFC for years. Regretfully, the team’s performance has declined over time as a result of Brees’ retirement, Payton leaving to take a different position, and the decline of both offensive weapons.
The Saints’ offense could now be headed for an even bigger blow. After missing two games with a knee injury, offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk revealed this week that he’s now facing an uncertain future in the NFL due to a cartilage defect in his knee.
- Ryan Ramczyke contract: $27 million cap hit in 2024, $28 million cap hit in 2025, $25.225 million cap hit in 2026, $2.584 million dead money in 2027
Ramczyk provided insight to ESPN’s Katherine Terrell on the specifics of his knee injury. It’s been an issue that has bothered him for the past three seasons, requiring him to visit with doctors this offseason to make a final decision on his future. While he very much wants to play for New Orleans, the lingering pain in a knee that has little cartilage remaining will be factored into his decision.
“I think those are the discussions we are going to have, that need to be had, and we’ll go from there. … I’ll talk with surgeons, doctors, get as much as information as I can and then just make the best decision.”
While Ramzcyk’s contract makes him one of the highest-paid NFL players, the current structure is very favorable to New Orleans if his career is in doubt. After the 2023 season, the Saints can designate Ramczyk as a post-June 1 release, freeing up $10.5 million of cap space in 2024 with an $18.8 million dead cap in 2025.
According to OverTheCap.com, that would take the Saints from -$87.232 million of cap space in 2024 to being $72 million above the NFL salary cap. While they would still have to release several players and restructure additional contracts, it would at least create a little more financial flexibility.
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The disadvantage for New Orleans is evident. Ramczyk is a three-time All-Pro pick and has been one of the top right tackles in the NFL for years. In April, he will turn thirty years old, at which point offensive tackles can continue to play at a high level for a number of years.
But in recent times, Ramczyk’s efficacy has decreased. Ramczyk received an 84.1 PFF grade in 2021 and allowed only 19 pressures in 361 pass-blocking snaps. In 2022, he received a 77.9 PFF grade, and this season, he has allowed 2 pressures with a 73.5 PFF score.
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