Saints News: Marshon Lattimore Contract Restructure Will Help With Extension

The New Orleans Saints recently signed their entire 2021 NFL Draft class, with a lot of emphasis placed on the restructuring of cornerback Marshon Lattimore's contract to help free up the cap space necessary.

The terms of this restructure are pretty unique as New Orleans converted the $10.2 million of Lattimore's fifth-year option to a base salary under $1 million, with the rest turned into a roster bonus with voidable years. Not only did this restructure free up the $7.4 million necessary in cap space for the draft class, but leaves Lattimore a great opportunity on his potential extension.

Marshon Lattimore Extension

According to NFL insider Field Yates, the Saints added four voidable years worth a total of $120 million. Because of NFL contract rules and regulations, Yates explained that players are not allowed a salary increase if restructured twice within the same calendar year.

Lattimore will be eligible for an extension in New Orleans with his impending free agency following the 2021 NFL season. Here comes the kicker. Because of the value of his voidable years ($120 million/4 years), Lattimore could receive a contract extension of up to $30 million per year.

To put that in perspective, the current highest paid NFL cornerback is Jalen Ramsey of the Los Angeles Rams, who earns $20 million per year. New Orleans is ensuring their ability to properly pay Lattimore (compared to Ramsey) by setting the "salary" of the void years so high.

Lattimore has played like a top-flight NFL cornerback since his arrival in the league in 2017. In four years, he's recorded 10 interceptions along with 230 combined tackles and 190 solo tackles. Those 10 interceptions ranks top-20 across the league since 2017, while the Saints' secondary led all of football with 18 picks last year.

Lattimore is among the best cornerbacks in the league and figures to be an important piece for the Saints moving forward.

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Adam Taylor McKillop is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Adam Taylor also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username atmckillop. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.