With the New Orleans Saints perched at around $15 million over the salary cap, changes needed to be made before free agency hits on Tuesday.
One obvious cut candidate was veteran Marques Colston, who was due to count $9.7 million against the cap. Releasing the receiver outright would save the team about $4.3 million.
Not so fast.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Saints restructured Colston's contract, which will keep the 31-year-old in New Orleans for a 10th season, per a source informed of the situation. There is currently no word yet on the dollar amount.
Fox Sports first reported the news.
Colston's play dropped off the past couple years as his ability to separate from cornerbacks evaporated and his drop-rate increased. With Brandin Cooks returning from injury it's likely Colston will fall at least to No. 4 in targets in 2015 -- remaining behind Kenny Stills and Jimmy Graham -- and see his playing time diminished.
Still the former seventh-round pick will stick with Drew Brees and Sean Payton rather than face what would likely have been a chilly market.
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