Ian Rapoport reports that the Saints have restructured OLB Junior Galette’s contract to create some extra cap room ahead of free agency.
According to Rapoport, the Saints turned the $12.5 million he was owed into a signing bonus that will be prorated over the remainder of the contract.
Previous reports had said that New Orleans was “quietly” trying to trade Galette. However, Galette’s prior cap number and recent off-the-field issues likely prevented the Saints from finding a trade partner.
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 had 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.
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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