All-Pro NFL Offensive Lineman Unofficially Retired On Wednesday
The New Orleans Saints seem to be way over the salary cap before the start of every offseason. And yet, they always find a way to get out of trouble. This time around, they can thank former All-Pro offensive lineman Ryan Ramczyk.
Coming into this week, the Saints were projected to be $66 million over the cap. That's pretty bad for a franchise that went 5-12 in the regular season. Usually, teams with minimal cap space are in position to contend. Obviously, that's not the case in New Orleans. The good news, however, is the front office just cleared over $16 million in cap space.
Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap reported that Ramczyk agreed to eliminate his $18 million base salary for the 2025 season. It has been reduced to roughly $1.25 million. Not only will that move free up money for the Saints, it signals the end of his career in the NFL.
This frees up $16.745 million in cap room, allowing the Saints to carry him on the roster at a $12.33 million cap figure until June 2nd at which point he should likely retire. Prior to this the Saints would have had to carry his cap figure at a $29 million number if they wanted to use the June 1 cut.
Ramczyk, a former first-round pick from Wisconsin, started his run with the Saints in 2017. He then earned All-Pro honors in each of the next three seasons.
Unfortunately for the Saints, Ramczyk didn't play a single snap this season due to knee surgery. There were reports about him slimming down since he's been away from the gridiron.
FOXBOROUGH, MA - OCTOBER 8: New Orleans Saints offensive linemen Ryan Ramczyk #71, Cesar Ruiz #51 and Erik McCoy #78 look to block against the New England Patriotsm during the game at Gillette Stadium on October 8, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.(Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Ramczyk has not officially announced his retirement from the NFL, but that is expected to change this offseason.
In the meantime, the focus is on Ramczyk's cap-saving move. The Saints have a few more restructures to make if they want to be compliant with the league's salary cap for 2025.
