The NFL is taking a look at some key parts of their current Collective Bargaining Agreement, according to league commissioner Roger Goodell. He was asked about those potential looming changes during his press conference to finish this week’s ownership meetings.
Looming salary cap concerns
There could be some adaptations coming to the salary cap system as it currently sits. The Saints are annually known for their finagling of their salary cap. They're often over the cap as the offseason kicks off and have to navigate themselves back to above water.
Void years, in particular, may be in danger. Those have become key factors in the Saints' cap plans every offseason.
“We obviously continue to be in close communication with the union on a variety of matters, but no start of negotiations have been set or are under consideration really at this point. We did spend time today talking, at length, about areas of our Collective Bargaining Agreement that we want to focus on. The two areas that we spent time on were really the cap system itself, the integrity of that system, how’s it working, where do we need to address that in the context of collective bargaining, when that does happen. That was a very lengthy discussion.” -- Roger Goodell
With this sort of pointed statement, it is worth considering that New Orleans may have to make adjustments to how they attack salary cap issues or decisions regarding it. The NFL and NFLPA are clearly focusing on the cap.
Saints' strategy may have to change
The kicking of the can by New Orleans is one piece that may have to adjust during the Kellen Moore era. Sean Payton, Dennis Allen, and the front office have made plenty of choices to try to extend a competitive window.
After a coaching staff reset that extends past Payton's tutelage, it remains to be seen how they try to make money moves during a fresh offseason. We won't really receive that answer until 2026.
No matter what - it sounds like the Saints' aggressiveness may have to learn new ways to find postseason success. They haven't seen much of that lately with the current mindset around the cap, anyway.
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