In a bid to alleviate their salary cap woes, the New Orleans Saints are reportedly in negotiations with star safety Tyrann Mathieu to restructure his contract. The team is actively seeking ways to create necessary cap space for the upcoming 2024 season, according to sources familiar with the matter.

At present, the Saints find themselves over the 2024 salary cap, with Mathieu's contract accounting for more than $12 million in cap space. However, both parties are optimistic that the renegotiation process will be finalized in the near future, as per a report by Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football.

While simply cutting Mathieu would only result in a modest saving of approximately $1.7 million in cap space for this year, the Saints recognize that reworking his contract could lead to more significant short-term cap savings while potentially burdening the team with a larger cap charge in the subsequent year. This tactic has been employed by the Saints in the past, where they have pushed cap hits into future seasons to maneuver under the current season's cap. Such a strategy allows for temporary relief but has impeded the team's long-term building efforts.

The Saints have missed out on playoff berths for three consecutive seasons, thus underscoring the urgency to create financial flexibility to strengthen their long-term prospects. With the renegotiation discussions underway, the team aims to strike a balance between immediate cap relief and preserving resources for future player acquisitions.

Fans and analysts alike are eagerly watching the developments, as the outcome of these negotiations will likely have a major impact on the Saints' ability to assemble a competitive roster for the forthcoming season and beyond. As the team navigates the complexities of the salary cap, key decisions regarding player contracts become crucial to the organization's success.

Both the Saints and Mathieu's representatives have refrained from divulging specific details about the ongoing discussions. However, fans are hopeful that an agreement will be reached soon, allowing the team to address their salary cap constraints and take decisive steps towards a promising future.

Only time will tell whether the renegotiated contract between the Saints and Mathieu will produce the desired results. In the meantime, the team remains committed to making the necessary adjustments and finding innovative solutions to position themselves for sustained success in the evolving landscape of the NFL.