METAIRIE, La. “New Orleans Saints are releasing veteran Emmanuel Sanders after just one season as he continues to reduce his massive pay cap deficit,” a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Sanders, who turns 34 next week, confirmed the move to an Instagram post, saying:
“New Orleans was real. Sucks, I didn’t bring a super bowl to town, which was the goal when I signed, but it was a blessing to showcase my talents to you guys, weekend and week. #Blessingsoblessings #Imafreeagent # Where to now? “
Sanders was to earn $ 8 million this season, with $ 2 million guaranteed. The Saints will save at least $ 4 million against the salary cap by releasing it – and possibly $ 6 million if they designate it as a post-June 1 launch.
Sanders caught 61 passes for 726 yards and five touchdowns in 14 regular-season games last season. He caught eight more passes for 51 yards in the playoffs.
The 5-foot-11, 180-pound model has a total of 662 catches for 8,619 yards and 47 touchdowns in an 11-year career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers and Saints. He was selected for two Pro Bowls and appeared in three Super Bowls – winning a title with the 2015 Broncos.
The Saints now have a big goal for a No. 2 receiver along with Michael Thomas again. The position will be ranked as one of the most important off-season needs, especially as fellow receiver Tre’Quan Smith is heading for the final year of his contract.
New Orleans has now released veterans Sanders, striker Thomas Morstead, Strait of Josh Hill and linebacker Nick Easton, while cutting cover space this season. The saints will probably release Kwon Alexander as well, since he will pay $ 13.4 million after he broke his Achilles in December.
The Saints started off-season with nearly $ 100 million over the salary cap and cut that number by about half as early as Wednesday morning after putting the franchise label on the safety of free agent Marcus Williams.