The only problem with having a long and successful career is that players get old and expensive. When that happens, all bets are off.
New Orleans Saints guard Jahri Evans has made six straight Pro Bowls and has been an integral part of the team's offensive line for almost a decade. But he's fast approaching his 32nd birthday and will carry a salary cap hit of $11 million next season. That's not ideal for a Saints team that is expected to be roughly $23 million over the salary cap next season.
Early rumors indicated that the Saints were prepared to cut Evans outright. However, now it appears that the team is trying to work with Evans' camp to continue their professional relationship.
"Saints officials have had several talks with Evans and his representatives in the past few weeks about the 31-year-old Pro Bowl guard's status for 2015 and beyond, according to league sources," Katherine Terrell of the Times-Picayune wrote.
"Those talks have included the possibility of a pay cut as Evans, who is slated to make $7.5 million in salary and bonuses in 2015, would carry a cap hit of $11 million," she wrote. "In 2016, his salary and bonuses escalate to $8.7 million with a cap number of $10.2 million. With those numbers, the Saints also informed Evans; camp that an outright release could be a possibility....
"As of now, all scenarios remain on the table for Evans, according to league sources. The Saints could decide to shop Evans to another team, release him, ask him to take a pay cut or, while unlikely, leave his contract untouched."
New Orleans has several decisions to make when it comes to handling Evans' contract situation. One decision they cannot ignore is how and when to possibly replace him. Looking ahead, ESPN Saints reporter Mike Triplett mentioned draft prospects Brandon Scherff of Iowa, LSU's La'el Collins and FSU's Cameron Erving as possible replacements should the Saints decide to part ways with their high priced and aging guards in the near future.
"The Saints have long valued the guard position more than most teams because of the way quarterback Drew Brees likes to step up in the pocket," Triplett wrote. "But six-time Pro Bowler Jahri Evans, 31, and two-time Pro Bowler Ben Grubbs, 30, are showing signs of decline while their salaries continue to climb (Evans is due $7.5 million in salary and bonuses this year, Grubbs $6.6 million). The Saints can't really afford to cut either player since they don't have any proven options waiting in the wings. So they need to replenish their interior line ASAP."
