FRIDAY, 8:19am: Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post has the specifics on Evans’ new deal, reporting that the veteran guard got a $5.4MM signing bonus and $9.5MM in total guaranteed money. Evans’ base salary for 2015 was reduced to $1.003MM from $6.8MM, with his cap number coming down to $7MM, from $11MM. Wilson also provides the details on Evans’ new cap hits for 2016 ($8.2MM) and 2017 ($7.8MM).
WEDNESDAY, 10:46am: The Saints have extended the contract of guard Jahri Evans by one year, locking him up through the 2017 season, according to PR man Greg Bensel (Twitter link). The team had needed to create some salary cap flexibility, and Evans’ cap number was a candidate for reduction, so I’d expect the move restructures his deal in addition to extending it.
Evans, 31, had been on the Saints’ books for an $11MM cap hit in 2015, which included a $6.8MM base salary. The club could reduce that number by a few million dollars by lowering Evans’ 2015 salary in favor of some additional bonus money or guarantees.
A four-team All Pro who has earned six consecutive Pro Bowl nods, Evans was viewed as a potential cap casualty or trade candidate this offseason, but his roster spot became safer once the Saints moved Ben Grubbs in a deal with the Chiefs. By hanging onto the former fourth-round pick, the New Orleans line will maintain some stability in the middle, where new center Max Unger will play alongside Evans.
The Bills reportedly discussed a possible Evans trade with New Orleans before the Saints elected to keep the veteran lineman in the mix.