On February 23, the NFL announced a historic jump in the salary cap for the 2024 season. However, the New Orleans Saints are still in a difficult position. ESPN’s Aaron Schatz suggested the Detroit Lions could take advantage of New Orleans’ struggles and possibly trade four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore.The Lions were one of three teams Schatz suggested were interested in a trade. Lattimore this offseason.”Once again, cuts and reallocations are necessary for the Saints to sign another draft pick,” Schatz wrote. “One controversial way to increase the cap could be to trade cornerback Lattimore to another team.”.
Lattimore’s cap hit is $14.6 million in 2024. His cap hit would be even higher in 2025 and 2026 as well.Lattimore could still be cheaper for the team that buys him out.
The Lions and Saints must work out the exact financial details of the deal.The Saints signed Lattimore to a five-year, $97.6 million contract extension before the 2021 season. He spent his entire seven-year NFL career in New Orleans”.
The NFL has announced that the salary cap will increase by an unprecedented $30-plus million for the 2024 season. That officially puts the salary cap at $255.4 million per team this fall.So the Saints aren’t as bad as Schatz originally suggested (his article was published before the salary cap was announced). But Over the Cap reports that the Saints are still more than $40 million over the salary cap.As Schatz put it, “painful” cuts are coming in New Orleans one way or another. At least in the Lattimore trade the Saints could get something in return.s”.
The Lions have an obvious need at cornerback. Lattimore is an interesting trade target because with the Saints in such a tight spot, the Lions could make an offer that doesn’t exactly match market value.New Orleans may have no choice but to accept if the team doesn’t pick. do that moving elsewhere to create cap space.Of course, this all depends on the Lions being the only team interested in trading Lattimore..
