Saints Expected To Approach LB Jonathan Vilma & DE Will Smith Regarding Pay Cuts

Update:

Jason La Canfora tweets that the Saints have asked DE Will Smith to take a “big reduction in salary.”

This confirms Adam Schefter’s report this morning about possible pay-cuts for Smith and Jonathan Vilma.

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ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported this morning that the New Orleans Saints are expected to approach LB Jonathan Vilma and DE Will Smith about  restructuring their current contracts.

It’s possible that both players could end up being released, but it appears that the Saints will at least give them the opportunity to accept a pay cut.

There are questions as to whether or not Vilma and Smith are even fits for Rob Ryan’s new 3-4 defensive scheme. Both of them are over 30 and saw their production decline last season, so there are also some concerns regarding their ability moving forward.

Vilma has a $4.8 million base salary coming his way along with a $1.1 million roster bonus, while Smith has a staggering base salary of $9 million and a $1 million roster bonus as well.

The Saints will need to free up some extra cash to address some positions of need like outside linebacker, defensive tackle and their secondary.

We have the Saints taking DE/OLB Jarvis Jones from Georgia in the first round in our 2013 NFL Mock Draft.