Evans, 32, started to show signs of decline in 2014, and he restructured his deal last spring to help clear salary cap space. But it’s not a complete shock because of his age and the Saints’ annual salary-cap squeeze.
Advertisement
In addition to Evans, the team also cut LBs Ramon Humber and David Hawthorne. Heading into 2016, Evans had the third highest salary on the team at $8.2 million.
Hawthorne and Humber didn’t have cap hits quite as large as large as Evans’, but New Orleans’ 2016 savings eclipse $6 million between the three of them being cut.
Jahri Evans was due a fully guaranteed million on Wednesday, if he were to stay on the Saints roster. Evans didn’t think he would be cut this offseason.
Advertisement
The move likely came as a surprise to Evans, who expressed confidence late last season that he wouldn’t be going anywhere. The 10-year veteran and six-time Pro Bowler has been with the Saints since 2006 and started in all 153 games in which he played for the franchise. He began his career as a fourth-round draft pick out of Bloomsburg.
