Saints restructure their contract with LB Pete Werner, save cap space

Mickey Loomis and the New Orleans Saints front office are making moves early Friday morning, as the team has reworked the contract of linebacker Pete Werner, clearing $4 million in cap space for this year -- a possible hint at another addition on the horizon, or at least freeing up resources to sign their rookie draft class.

The team restructured Werner’s contract by converting $5.035 million of his salary into a signing bonus, which lowered his cap hit for this season to roughly $3.9 million. Prior to the move, the Saints had around $10 million in available cap space, according to Over The Cap, making it feel less like a routine financial adjustment and more like a move designed to create room for a potential signing.

One player who has already been linked to New Orleans is former Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II, who was granted his release Thursday afternoon. Primarily a slot corner throughout his career, Moore would immediately address what may be the Saints’ biggest remaining need following the departure of Alontae Taylor in free agency.

The Saints failed to add a clear starting-caliber option at the position during either free agency or the draft, which makes Moore an especially intriguing fit for this roster. Depending on how aggressive the organization wants to be financially, a reunion between the Saints and a proven veteran like Moore feels like a very real possibility.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints restructure contract with LB Pete Werner, save salary cap space