What does the New Orleans Saints' three-year extension with Juwan Johnson look like?
The New Orleans Saints seem intent on contending again in 2025, at least based on their early free agency moves.
Many thought that they would finally take the dead money hits and ride it out to a new era of Saints football. That is not the case as they acted quick to re-sign some of those players with dead money on the books.
One such player was tight end Juwan Johnson, who was brought back on a three-year, $30.75 million contract with his first two years fully guaranteed.
When looked at closer, this deal is a bit more complicated than it might look on paper. These are the details of the contract, as shown by the experts over at OverThe Cap:
2025 salary cap hit
This is where the cap maneuvering really shows for New Orleans. They were able to actually save money for this season by bringing him back this year. He was set to have a higher dead money hit than his actual cap hit this year, due to the contract being back loaded and the presence of more void years.
He has a base salary of just $1,170,000 this season. His prorated salary bonus will be $4,075,00 for the first three seasons. His total cap hit for 2025 is at $5,245,000.
2026 salary cap hit
This is the highest base salary of the contract, but is actually not his most expensive season. He starts at $9,080,000 and then his signing bonus pushes his total cap hit to $13,155,000. This is basically set up to be restructured, which would save the Saints $5,648,000 while increasing his future cap hits by $1,573,000.
2027 salary cap hit
Despite a lowered base salary of $7,500,000, this could end up being his most expensive season due to a $2,000,000 roster bonus. His total cap hit would end up at $13,575,000. If the Saints restructure him in 2026, his cap hit would rise to $15,148,000.
2028 void year
The first of two void years, where his prorated signing bonus will drop to $3,075,000. If Johnson's contract expires as written, he'll leave behind $5,275,000 in dead money as the 2029 void year hit accelerates onto the books in 2028. If it expires in 2028 after being restructured in 2026, the dead money hit would be about $9,994,000.
2029 void year
Johnson's last year on the books, for now, with his signing bonus again dropping down to $2,200,000 to close things out. But this year will void in 2028 if his contract expires as it's written. A restructure would probably include another void year for cap purposes in 20230, but Johnson would need to sign another extension to see it.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Juwan Johnson: Cap hits, void years, and setup for 2026 restructure
-
Derek Carr staying in New Orleans on restructured deal
The Saints will have Derek Carr on their roster in 2025 and likely as their starting quarterback.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 8 -
Former LSU offensive lineman Will Clapp signs with New Orleans Saints
A former LSU football offensive linemen signed with the New Orleans Saints marking a return to his hometown teamYahoo Sports - 3d -
New Orleans Saints sign veteran defensive lineman with connections to the coaching staff
The New Orleans Saints are reportedly signing one of Brandon Staley's former defensive linemen. Jonah Williams could help install the new system.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
25 best free agents available for the New Orleans Saints
Free agency is beginning to quiet down, but there are still good players available. Here are our top 25 remaining targets for the New Orleans Saints.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Saints add cornerback Isaac Yiadom, tight end Jack Stoll and lineman Will Clapp in free agency
The New Orleans Saints have signed cornerback Isaac Yiadom, tight end Jack Stoll and offensive lineman Will Clapp to free agent contracts, the club announced Thursday. Yiadom, who played for San ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Report: New Orleans Saints have 'got their eye' on former All-Pro free agent WR
Dianna Russini reports that the Saints have 'got their eye' on Cooper Kupp's free agency market. What kind of contract is the former All-Pro seeking?Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Dante Pettis salary: How much are the Saints paying the veteran WR this season?
The contract details for the New Orleans Saints' one-year deal with WR Dante Pettis have come out.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier discusses what it means to have his dad coaching with the Saints
The New Orleans Saints made Doug Nussmeier their offensive coordinator this offseason, and his son Garrett discussed how he feels about the hiring.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
New Orleans Saints listed among the biggest losers of free agency
This Pro Football Focus analyst wasn't impressed by the Saints' offseason moves. They were listed among free agency's biggest losers.Yahoo Sports - 2d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Have a question about the Wisconsin Badgers heading into March Madness and the NCAA tournament? Ask me!
You can submit your question and I'll choose some to answer before the Badgers play their first-round game Thursday against Montana.Yahoo Sports - 22m -
2025 NCAA tournament picks: Predictions, odds, lines, schedule for Midwest region, with Houston looking for respect
There are a few upset possibilities in the Midwest.Yahoo Sports - 23m -
Will Cooper Kupp, Davante Adams and other veteran fantasy football WRs make it work on new teams?
Fantasy football analyst Matt Harmon examines the veteran wide receivers who changed teams this offseason (and those still looking for a new home).Yahoo Sports - 24m -
Indianapolis Colts make 2 free agent signings official
The Indianapolis Colts have made two more of their free-agent signings official.Yahoo Sports - 25m -
13 key players to watch during the 2025 women's NCAA tournament, including Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles
Our list of 13 top players to monitor during the women's 2025 NCAA tournament, including Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles.Yahoo Sports - 29m
More in Sports
-
March Madness 2025: Duke, UCLA among schools with teams in both men's and women's NCAA Tournament fields
The SEC leads the way with seven schools in both the men's and women's fieldsCBS Sports - 22m -
Have a question about the Wisconsin Badgers heading into March Madness and the NCAA tournament? Ask me!
You can submit your question and I'll choose some to answer before the Badgers play their first-round game Thursday against Montana.Yahoo Sports - 22m -
2025 NCAA tournament picks: Predictions, odds, lines, schedule for Midwest region, with Houston looking for respect
There are a few upset possibilities in the Midwest.Yahoo Sports - 23m -
Antonio vows to return to football after car crash
West Ham United forward Michail Antonio has insisted he will play professional football again after he recovers from being involved in a near-fatal road traffic collision in December.ESPN - 23m -
Sources: Casadó (knee) to miss rest of season
Marc Casadó is likely to miss the rest of the season after injuring knee ligaments in Sunday's 4-2 win over Atlético Madrid, sources have told ESPN.ESPN - 23m