Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports reports that the Saints have been “quietly” trying to trade OLB Junior Galette.
However, Getlin’s source added that Galette’s cap number and off-the-field issues are likely to prevent the team from finding a trade partner.
It’s well documented that the Saints are in a very tough financial position and will need to consider any and all available options in the coming days.
Jason La Canfora previously reports HC Sean Payton has “expressed a desire” to release Galette, even though they signed him to a contract extension not that long ago.
Galette was involved in a domestic-violence incident a few months ago, but the charges against him were later dropped.
Galette, 26, signed a six-year, $45.3 million contract that included $23 million guaranteed with the Saints back in September of last year.
He still has base salaries of $1.25 million (2015), $5 million (2016), $5.2 million (2017), $6.4 million (2018), and $7.3 million (2019) coming his way over the next five years.
According to OverTheCap.com, releasing Galette would actually cost them $750,000 in cap space, so that’s unlikely to be an option. If they designated him as a post-June 1 release, they could free up $1.35 million in space while creating $14.1 million in dead money.
As for a trade, the Saints would free up $11.75 million in space while creating $3.7 million in dead money.
In 2014, Galette appeared in all 16 games for the Saints and recorded 45 tackles, 10 sacks, three forced fumbles, two safeties and two pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 4 defensive end in a 4-3 defense out of 59 qualifying players.
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