Change is coming soon for the New Orleans Saints, who are actively looking to find their second head coach since the departure of Sean Payton.
With a change in leadership, there is always the potential for roster turnover during the offseason. And when you are over $50 million over the salary cap, the likelihood of this does increase a bit.
Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report recently predicted six league trades that could take shape this offseason. Of these six trades, one of them includes arguably the most celebrated Saint currently on the roster.
A true New Orleanian himself.
Moton predicts that the New Orleans Saints will send safety Tyrann Mathieu to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for a fifth-round selection in the upcoming NFL draft.
Here’s what he had to say about the potential move:
New Orleans is coming off a 5-12 campaign. In 2025, the new regime could embrace a youth movement while currently $52.3 million over the cap threshold. If so, Tyrann Mathieu may be one of the team’s top trade assets.
Mathieu will be 33 in May, but he’s yet to experience a decline. The 12th-year veteran performs at a high level, and he’s durable.
Mathieu has recorded at least three interceptions in six consecutive campaigns while allowing a passer rating of 77.4 or below in his last three terms. He’s suited up for every game since signing with the Saints in 2022.
Playoff-caliber teams may value Mathieu’s leadership qualities, experience on a Super Bowl-winning team and his elite ball production. He could be one of the missing pieces to a squad trying to open its title-contending window.
In the second half of the 2024 season, safety Tony Jefferson played a prominent role in the Los Angeles Chargers defense, but he’s made little impact. Since Week 13, he’s logged 27 tackles, one for loss.
If the Chargers want a versatile defensive back who can bring more to the secondary, Mathieu fits the bill as one of the league’s top ball hawks.”
Moton starts by highlighting the idea of a “full-blown roster rebuild” under a new head coach, with a veteran roster and cap restraints. He does also mention that the team will hire a new general manager as well, but this will not be the case barring anything unforeseen as current GM Mickey Loomis will look to maintain his role for the 2025 season. Moton then discussed about Matheiu’s high level of play and durability at 33 years old, making him an enticing option for playoff teams.
Mathieu’s veteran leadership and Super Bowl experience could be attractive qualities for teams trying to enter into their contending window. Since joining the Saints in 2022, he has recorded 10 interceptions during his tenure, tied for fifth-most in the NFL since then.
But the timing makes a trade complicated. Moving Mathieu before June 1 would only save the team $16,000 in salary cap space while leaving behind more than $11.3 million in dead money. If the Saints wait until June 2 (or later) to trade him, they would save $7.25 million this season while paying just over $4 million in dead money in 2025. Another $7.2 million would be on the books as dead money in 2026. Can the Chargers wait that long, and can the Saints justify waiting until after this year’s draft to get compensation for him? Can they get under the cap without touching his contract?
It would be a tough pill for Saints fans to swallow, letting the homegrown product go after just three seasons. But could they entertain the possibility of moving on from the Honey Badger if given the right offer? We can’t rule anything out with big changes on the way.