Jahri Evans Contract: Latest News and Rumors on Negotiations with Saints

Jahri Evans entered the 2015 free-agency period with an $11 million cap hold and a slightly declining skill set, so most people expected the New Orleans Saints to release the Pro Bowl guard. Instead, it appears the Saints have begun laying the groundwork to keep him around.

Continue for updates.

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Saints, Evans Open New Contract-Restructuring Negotiations

Monday, Feb. 23

Katherine Terrell of The Times-Picayune reported the Saints have reached out to Evans' representatives to discuss ways to extend his stay in New Orleans for a 10th season. A 2006 fourth-round pick, Evans has spent all nine of his NFL seasons with the Saints, becoming one of the league's most reliable guards.

The Bloomsburg product has been a Pro Bowler each of the last six seasons and an All-Pro five times, though that streak was snapped in 2014. Struggling at different points with pass protection, Evans matched his career high with five sacks allowed, per The Washington Post. Pro Football Focus ranked Evans as the fourth-worst pass-blocking guard in the NFL.

While injuries may have been a factor—Evans pulled out of the Pro Bowl after undergoing surgery—the Saints nonetheless have a decision to make. Releasing Evans now would save New Orleans $6 million on its 2015 cap, per Spotrac. Terrell's report puts the team "at least $20 million" over the cap, and moving on from Evans would solve many of those problems. "The Saints will pick up $9.6M of cap space by cutting Jahri Evans & Ben Grubbs without post-June 1 treatment but create a hole in the OLine," Joel Corry of NationalFootballPost.com explained further.

Regardless, it makes sense the Saints would at least engage in restructuring negotiations. It's unlikely they would be able to find an equally talented replacement on the market, even with Evans showing signs of age.

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