Keenan Lewis, Saints Agree to New Contract: Latest Details and Reaction

The New Orleans Saints have undergone some significant changes this offseason, but one constant in 2015 will be the presence of cornerback Keenan Lewis, as he has agreed to a new contract.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the 28-year-old defensive back restructured his deal in an effort to create more space under the salary cap:

Katherine Terrell of the New Orleans Times Picayune reported on the details of the restructuring:

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The Saints appeared to have restructured Keenan Lewis' contract, dropping his 2015 base salary from $1.8 million to $850,000 and his 2016 base salary from $4.25 million to $2.7 million.

His 2017 base salary of $4.75 million remains the same.

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Terrell also noted that Lewis was getting more guaranteed money:

Terrell broke down how the Saints structured the new contract:

Joel Corry of CBS Sports broke down the annual salaries in the deal:

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports noted that the Saints tried to trade Lewis before they restructured his contract:

Lewis has started 16 games in consecutive seasons for the Saints since making the leap from the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2013. He has six interceptions with New Orleans, and he has been a steady force in an otherwise shaky secondary.

Although there was some talk about Lewis getting traded, courtesy of CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora, the New Orleans native insisted on his Instagram account that he had no interest in going elsewhere, per Evan Woodbery of NOLA.com:

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This is my home. I (have) been (here) 28 years. From playing a high school championship in here, to helping Katrina victims with a little bit of my college funds, to trying my best to help this beautiful home and people get a Super Bowl. I love this place and every person who (lives) close or in it. Trust me, leaving was never (an) option. I love it (too) much. Who Dat.

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After signing cornerback Brandon Browner away from the New England Patriots, retaining Lewis is significant. Add a solid safety combo of Kenny Vaccaro and Jairus Byrd, and the Saints have the building blocks for an excellent secondary.

Lewis has given his all for his hometown team over the past couple of years, and he will be a big part of its success once again in 2015.

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