Earlier today, the Panthers and tackle Taylor Moton beat the buzzer. The same can’t be said for their divisional rivals. The Saints and Marcus Williams are not expected to hash out an extension before this afternoon’s franchise-tender deadline (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). 
With that, Williams is set to play on his one-year, $10.612MM tender for 2021. As of this writing, everyone else (besides Moton) is in a similar boat. That means one-year pacts for Jets safety Marcus Maye, Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson, Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin, Jaguars offensive tackle Cam Robinson, and Washington guard Brandon Scherff.
It’s not for a lack of trying — Saints GM Mickey Loomis wants to keep Williams for the long haul. However, New Orleans is already projected to be over the 2022 cap of ~$208MM, and they also have other players to consider, like cornerback Marshon Lattimore. Lattimore may also be the higher priority, given that he plays a premium position and has three Pro Bowls under his belt. On the other hand, his March arrest could complicate matters.
The recent Ryan Ramczyk extension cleared roughly $5.5MM off the books for 2021, so the Saints didn’t necessarily have to smooth out Williams’ cap hit. Also, Lattimore’s fifth-year option for this season was already restructured, allowing for more breathing room.
Even though it’s tabled for now, the Saints will surely revisit Williams’ contract down the road. Williams, a 2017 third-rounder, picked off three passes and racked up seven passes defended in 14 games last year. All in all, he’s got 246 tackles, 13 interceptions, and one pick-six to his credit. That’s not even counting his work in the playoffs — 38 tackles and an INT in seven postseason contests.