BREAKING: New Orleans Saints Reveal Official List of Players Set to Leave This Season
NEW ORLEANS, LA – June 8, 2026 – In a stunning Monday morning announcement, the New Orleans Saints have officially released a list of players who will not return for the upcoming 2026 season. The move, confirmed via the team’s official website and social media channels at 10:00 AM CT, signals a major roster overhaul as the franchise looks to reset after years of salary cap constraints and playoff near-misses.
The list includes twelve names, ranging from longtime veterans to recent draft picks, and confirms weeks of speculation about the team’s direction under head coach Darren Rizzi and general manager Khai Harley.
The Complete Departure List
According to the Saints’ official statement, the following players have either been released, will not receive contract extensions, have been traded, or have been informed they are free to sign elsewhere:
1. Derek Carr (Quarterback) – The four-time Pro Bowl passer is being released after three up-and-down seasons in New Orleans. The move clears $30 million in cap space but leaves a $50 million dead-money hit. Carr, 35, is expected to retire or sign with a contender.
2. Alvin Kamara (Running Back) – A franchise icon and Super Bowl XLIV-era bridge player, Kamara has been granted permission to seek a trade. The 30-year-old wants a final multi-year deal, and the Saints are unwilling to meet his asking price.
3. Tyrann Mathieu (Safety) – The New Orleans native and fan favorite will be released in a cost-saving move. Mathieu, 34, has lost a step but remains a respected leader. He may re-sign at a lower number — but the team is moving on.
4. Ryan Ramczyk (Offensive Tackle) – The All-Pro right tackle is expected to be placed on the reserve/retired list due to a chronic knee condition. His career is likely over.
5. Michael Thomas (Wide Receiver) – After years of injuries and locker-room turbulence, Thomas has been informed his contract will not be renewed. The former Offensive Player of the Year is unlikely to play another down in black and gold.
6. Marcus Maye (Safety) – The veteran defensive back is being released after two injury-marred seasons.
7. Andrus Peat (Guard) – Longtime offensive lineman and two-time Pro Bowler will not be re-signed. He is expected to sign with a NFC West team.
8. Carl Granderson (Defensive End) – A surprise cut. Granderson had 8.5 sacks in 2025 but was deemed expendable as the team shifts to younger edge rushers.
9. Juwan Johnson (Tight End) – The reliable pass-catcher has been traded to the Denver Broncos for a 2027 sixth-round pick.
10. Landon Young (Offensive Tackle) – Depth lineman will not receive a tender as a restricted free agent.
11. Kendre Miller (Running Back) – The 2023 third-round pick has been waived after falling behind on the depth chart.
12. Blake Grupe (Kicker) – After an inconsistent 2025 season (72% on field goals), Grupe has been released. The team will hold an open competition in training camp.
Salary Cap Reset: The Method Behind the Madness
The mass exodus is no accident. According to league sources, the Saints entered the 2026 offseason nearly $40 million over the salary cap — a familiar position for a team that has famously “kicked the can down the road” for years under former GM Mickey Loomis.
But under Harley and Rizzi, the approach has changed. The 2026 roster purge is designed to absorb dead money now while clearing long-term obligations. By 2027, the Saints project to have over $100 million in cap space — the most in the NFL.
Head Coach Rizzi: “Painful but Necessary”
Speaking at a press conference alongside Harley, Rizzi did not sugarcoat the moment.
“These are human beings. Men with families. Men who bled for this city,” Rizzi said. “But we inherited a cap situation that was not sustainable. You cannot run from math forever. Today is about honesty — with our players and with our fans.”
Rizzi confirmed that the team plans to build around younger cornerstones: offensive tackle Trevor Penning, cornerback Alontae Taylor, wide receiver Chris Olave, and 2025 first-round quarterback Quinn Ewers (fictional selection for this scenario).
General Manager Harley: “We Are Not Tanking”
Harley pushed back on the idea that New Orleans is entering a full rebuild.
“Clearing cap space is not tanking. It’s flexibility,” he said. “We will be aggressive in free agency once the dead money clears. This is a two-phase plan, not a five-year disaster.”
When asked about the quarterback position, Harley confirmed that Ewers will enter camp as the starter, with veteran Jake Haener and a yet-to-be-named low-cost backup competing for the No. 2 role.
Fan Reaction: Shock, Grief, and Hope
Outside the Caesars Superdome, a small crowd of fans gathered within an hour of the announcement. Reactions ranged from outrage to resignation.
“Alvin Kamara? Derek Carr? Tyrann? That’s three faces of the franchise gone in one morning,” said lifelong fan Brandon Thibodeaux, 42. “I get the cap stuff, but this feels like tearing the heart out.”
Others were more measured. “We’ve been pretending we could compete for six years,” said season ticket holder Janelle Broussard. “It’s time to rip the Band-Aid off. I’d rather be bad for one year than mediocre for ten.”
The Saints’ social media team posted a graphic thanking departing players, which has been shared over 50,000 times in three hours. #ThankYouSaints and #SaintsRosterPurge both trended nationally on X (formerly Twitter).
What’s Next
The official new league year begins July 1. By that date, all releases and trades will be processed. The Saints currently hold the No. 11 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which takes place later this month in Detroit.
Free agency opens July 3. New Orleans is not expected to be active initially but could sign bargain veterans after June 1 cuts from other teams.
Training camp opens July 28 at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie. For the first time since 2005, neither Drew Brees nor a high-priced veteran quarterback will be on the roster.
Around the League Reaction
NFL insiders were quick to weigh in. ESPN’s Adam Schefter called it “the most aggressive cap purge since the 2021 Atlanta Falcons.” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted that “several of these players — especially Kamara and Mathieu — will have robust markets if they choose to play on.”
An anonymous NFC executive told The Athletic: “New Orleans is finally doing what everyone knew they had to do for half a decade. Better late than never.”
The Bottom Line
The New Orleans Saints of 2026 will look almost nothing like the team that took the field in 2025. Gone are the veteran stars, the bloated contracts, and the win-now urgency. In their place: youth, cap space, and hope.
Whether that hope turns into wins remains to be seen. But for the first time in years, the Saints have a clear plan — and they are not afraid to execute it.
