New Orleans signed Easton two offseasons ago and used him as a starter in 15 games over the past two seasons. The Saints, however, have one of the worst salary cap situations in history and must continue to make moves to get under a 2021 cap that is expected to be reduced.

The Saints will save $5.87MM by making this move. This marks the second straight offseason in which New Orleans released one of its interior O-line starters. They cut Larry Warford last year. Easton finished his second Saints season on IR and did not play in either of their two playoff games.

Coming into the offseason, the Saints were more than $100MM over the projected 2021 cap, but Drew Brees‘ recent restructure — one likely to precede his retirement — helped bring that figure down near $70MM. The Easton move will continue the franchise’s process in trimming salary.

While Warford and Easton are now gone, the Saints have invested highly on their offensive line in recent years. They used a first-round pick on Cesar Ruiz last year and extended Andrus Peat. Center Erik McCoy‘s rookie deal runs through the 2022 season.

Following his release from the Vikings in 2019, Easton signed a four-year deal worth $22.5MM with the Saints. Injuries continued to move the veteran swing man into New Orleans’ starting lineup. Pro Football Focus was not particularly high on Easton’s work, ranking him outside the top 50 among guards in each of his two seasons. But given teams’ annual interest in proven offensive linemen, Easton should not have too much of an issue finding work for next season. For his career, the 28-year-old former UDFA has made 32 starts.

The Saints also cut tight ends Cole Wick and Jason Vander Laan. Both players opted out last season. Unlike Easton, neither has vested-veteran status.

Chiefs guard and medical school graduate Laurent Duvernay-Tardif was the first player to officially opt out. Scores of players followed.

Here’s the rundown, so far:

Baltimore Ravens

• OT Andre Smith (story)
• WR De’Anthony Thomas (story)

Buffalo Bills

• CB E.J. Gaines (story)
• DT Star Lotulelei (story)

Carolina Panthers

• LB Jordan Mack
• LB Christian Miller

Chicago Bears

• DT Eddie Goldman (story)
• S Jordan Lucas

Cincinnati Bengals

• T Isaiah Prince (story)
• DT Josh Tupou (story)

Cleveland Browns

• DT Andrew Billings
• T Drake Dorbeck
• G Colby Gossett
• G Drew Forbes
• G Malcolm Pridgedon

Dallas Cowboys

• CB Maurice Canady (story)
• WR Stephen Guidry
• FB Jamize Olawale

Denver Broncos

• DT Joel Heath
• DT Kyle Peko

Detroit Lions

• WR Geronimo Allison (story)
• DT John Atkins
• C Russell Bodine (story)

Green Bay Packers

• WR Devin Funchess (story)

Houston Texans

• DL Eddie Vanderdoes

Indianapolis Colts

• DB Rolan Milligan
• LB Skai Moore
• DB Marvell Tell

Jacksonville Jaguars

• DE Lerentee McCray
• CB Rashaan Melvin (story)
• DT Al Woods (story)

Kansas City Chiefs

• G Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (story)
• T Lucas Niang (story)
• RB Damien Williams (story)

Las Vegas Raiders

• LB Ukeme Eligwe
• CB D.J. Killings
• DE Jeremiah Valoaga

Los Angeles Rams

• T Chandler Brewer

Miami Dolphins

• WR Allen Hurns (story)
• WR Albert Wilson (story)

Minnesota Vikings

• NT Michael Pierce (story)

New England Patriots

• RB Brandon Bolden (story)
• T Marcus Cannon (story)
• S Patrick Chung (story)
• LB Dont’a Hightower (story)
• WR Marqise Lee (story)
• OL Najee Toran
• FB Danny Vitale (story)

New Orleans Saints

• TE Jason Vander Laan
• TE Cole Wick

New York Giants

• CB Sam Beal
• WR Da’Mari Scott
• T Nate Solder (story)
• CB Shakial Taylor

New York Jets

• WR Josh Doctson
• OL Leo Koloamatangi
• LB C.J. Mosley (story)

Philadelphia Eagles

• WR Marquise Goodwin

San Francisco 49ers

• WR Travis Benjamin (story)
• OL Jake Brendel
• T Shon Coleman

Seattle Seahawks

• G Chance Warmack (story)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• T Brad Seaton

Tennessee Titans

• OL Anthony McKinney

Washington Football Team

• DL Caleb Brantley
• LB Josh Harvey-Clemons

Free agents

• G Larry Warford (story)

Carolina Panthers

• Signed: WR Bobo Wilson

New England Patriots

• Signed: K Josh Gable, DE Eric Lee, S Adarius Pickett

Oakland Raiders

• Signed: TE Paul Butler, LB Te’von Coney, C Kyle Kalis
• Released: TE Cole Wick

San Francisco 49ers

• Signed: CB Jermaine Kelly

Seattle Seahawks

• Signed: RB Xavier Turner

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Signed: WR Trevion Thompson

“I couldn’t sit here and tell you whether I’m going to be here, want to be here, don’t want to be here,” Beckham said, via Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com, adding that Jarvis Landry‘s presence has energized him about being with the Browns. “This is exactly where I’m at now and I wouldn’t rather be anywhere else. God has a plan. In the offseason, everything will figure itself out. I feel like I’ve been here before, answering questions about the next team when I’m on a team already. That’s just something I’m going to tune out for right now. Catch me in the offseason and we’ll see what happens.”

Despite Beckham’s disappointing year, the Browns will surely attempt to see if their recent trade acquisition can build chemistry with Baker Mayfield and bounce back in 2020. Beckham’s contract having no more guaranteed money on it, thanks to the Giants taking that on, would make the three-time Pro Bowler an interesting trade piece — if this situation did progress to that point. Beckham is due $14MM in 2020.

Here is the latest from the AFC:

• Tom Brady sought a longer commitment from the Patriots this year, but given one-year pay bump the sides agreed on, NBC Sports Boston’s Tom Curran expects the iconic quarterback to depart in 2020. Brady’s age figures to be a sticking point for Bill Belichick signing off on a multiyear deal, per Curran, just as it seemed to be in recent years. A scenario where Brady tries to play until age 45 elsewhere would obviously create a major need for the Pats, who traded Brady’s would-be heir apparent to the 49ers two years ago, and would thrust them to the center of what will be a complicated QB marketplace.
• As for Antonio Brown coming back to the Patriots to aid the defending Super Bowl champions’ receiving situation, that seems next to impossible. The free agent wide receiver shared a social media post (Twitter link) questioning Robert Kraft‘s desire to win (and one that referenced his alleged acts in the Florida spa sting). Brown, who has filed grievances against the Patriots, figures to be one of the most controversial free agents in NFL history in 2020.
• Von Miller is battling an MCL sprain, one that forced him to miss his first game since he suffered an ACL tear in December 2013. The Broncos‘ star pass rusher is iffy for Sunday’s game against the Texans. The ninth-year linebacker indicated (via Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic, subscription required) he should not play until he can utilize his array of pass-rushing moves, pointing to him missing at least one more week.
• The Raiders worked out tight ends Matt Flanagan, Pharoah McKever and Bryce Williams this week, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets. Oakland also auditioned tight end Cole Wick, who booked the emergency tight end gig.

Arizona Cardinals

• Signed: QB Drew Anderson, WR Saeed Blacknall, DL Lyndon Johnson.

Baltimore Ravens

• Signed: G Will Holden

Denver Broncos

• Signed: TE Bug Howard

Detroit Lions

• Signed: TE Cole Herdman
• Released: LB Anthony Pittman

Los Angeles Chargers

• Signed: DT P.J. Johnson, WR Tyron Johnson

New Orleans Saints

• Signed: OL Nate Wozniak

Oakland Raiders

• Signed: CB Jordan Brown, WR De’Mornay Pierson-El, TE Cole Wick

Philadelphia Eagles

• Signed: CB Tremon Smith

Baltimore Ravens

• LB Demone Harris

Denver Broncos

• P Brock Miller

Detroit Lions

• OTs Ulrick John, Brian Mihalik, Austin Pasztor; DT Justin Ellis

Jacksonville Jaguars

• CB Arrion Springs; P Shane Smith

Miami Dolphins

• CBs Adonis Alexander, Andre Chachere, Picasso Nelson

New England Patriots

• FBs George Aston, Orson Charles, Ricky Ortiz.

New Orleans Saints

• RBs Travaris Cadet, Benny Cunningham, Marcus Murphy; TEs A.J. Derby, Cole Wick

San Francisco 49ers

• WRs Jordan Lasley, Kelvin McKnight, Jaylen Smith, DeAndre Thompkins, Chris Thompson, Papi White

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• RB Marcus Murphy; WRs T.J. Jones, Tommylee Lewis, Eli Rogers; P Trevor Daniel

Washington Redskins

• RBs Kapri Bibbs, Jeremy McNichols

Arizona Cardinals

• LB Shane Ray

Baltimore Ravens

• DE Fadol Brown, S Demetrious Cox, DE Dewayne Hendrix, S A.J. Howard (signed to practice squad), DB C.J. Reavis

Buffalo Bills

• DE Alex Barrett, RB Senorise Perry (signed to 53-man roster), LB Wyatt Ray (signed to practice squad)

Carolina Panthers

• DB Dominique Hatfield

Cleveland Browns

• WR Jeff Badet

Denver Broncos

• CB David Amerson, CB Chris Campbell, CB Deatrick Nichols, CB Shareece Wright

Detroit Lions

• WR Quincy Adeboyejo, WR Bennie Fowler, WR Emanuel Hall

Green Bay Packers

• TE Rico Gathers, DL Mike Pennel, DL Adolphus Washington, TE Cole Wick, DT Sylvester Williams, TE Ethan Wolf (signed to practice squad)

Houston Texans

• C Marcus Henry, DT Willie Henry, DT Brian Price, C Keegan Render

Indianapolis Colts

• DT Carl Davis, LB Obum Gwacham, DE Eli Harold, DL Joel Heath, DL Damontre Moore, LB Pita Taumoepenu, DL Ethan Westbrooks 

Jacksonville Jaguars

• TE Brian Parker, TE Eric Tomlinson, TE Will Tye

Los Angeles Chargers

• S Shalom Luani, S Tre Sullivan

New England Patriots

• DB Brian Allen, K Nick Rose, DT Eddie Vanderdoes

Oakland Raiders

• DE Andre Branch, LB Kasim Edebali, OL Datone Jones, DE Terrence Fede, LB Nate Orchard

Philadelphia Eagles

• WR Penny Hart, LB Paul Worrilow  

Seattle Seahawks

• CB Adonis Alexander, DB Brian Allen, CB Saivion Smith

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• WR Cyril Grayson, RB Darius Jackson, QB Chad Kanoff, WR Caleb Scott, RB David Williams

Tennessee Titans

• RB Jeremy McNichols, RB Zach Zenner

Washington Redskins

• OL Malcolm Bunche (signed to practice squad), LB Darrell Williams

Buffalo Bills

• Placed on IR: DE Mike Love
• Waived: P Corey Carter
• Waived from IR: OL De’Ondre Wesley

Carolina Panthers

• Signed: LS Andrew DePaola 
• Placed on IR: DT Destiny Vaeao

Chicago Bears

• Claimed off waivers: OL Tommy Doles

Detroit Lions

• Signed: RB James Williams

Green Bay Packers

• Signed: CB Jackson Porter
• Waived (failed physical): LB Nicholas Grigsby

Houston Texans

• Waived: DB Deante Burton, DB Derrick Jones

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Waived from injured reserve: RB Roc Thomas

New England Patriots

• Waived from injured reserve: WR Maurice Harris

Philadelphia Eagles

• Signed: OT Riley Mayfield
• Placed on IR: WR Charles Johnson

Tennessee Titans

• Waived: TE Cole Wick
• Waive/injured: OLB Josh Smith

Seattle Seahawks

• Signed: T Will Holden, DE Logan Tago
• Waived: DT Jay-Tee Tiuli

Dallas Cowboys

• Activated off IR: CB C.J. Goodwin
• Waived: WR Lance Lenoir

Oakland Raiders

• Promoted from practice squad: TE Paul Butler, S Dallin Leavitt
• Placed on IR: CB Daryl Worley
• Waived: DE Damontre Moore

Tennessee Titans

• Promoted from practice squad: LB LaTroy Lewis
• Placed on IR: TE Cole Wick

Both Conklin and Smith went down in Thursday night’s game against the Jaguars. For Smith, the seriousness of the injury was readily apparent – the Titans learned on Friday that he would be sidelined for the year with a severe MCL injury. However, the Titans were hoping to get Conklin back on the field for the postseason, should they qualify.

Conklin, the No. 8 pick in the 2016 draft, played in every possible regular season game over the first two years of his career before going down with a torn ACL in the Titans’ divisional round loss to the Patriots. That injury cost Conklin time this year, as he missed the first three games of the season before returning in Week 4. Since then, Conklin played nearly every snap for Tennessee (save for Week 5 when he suffered a concussion), grading as the NFL’s No. 42 offensive tackle among 78 qualifiers in the process, per Pro Football Focus.

Unfortunately, Conklin’s knee issue will keep him out of action the rest of the way. The Titans, meanwhile, still have a 34% chance of reaching the playoffs, according to FiveThirtyEight.

To fill the gaps, the Titans signed tight end Cole Wick off of the 49ers’ practice squad and signed veteran offensive lineman Austin Pasztor.

New York Jets

• Signed: OT Dieugot Joseph
• Released: RB De’Angelo Henderson

San Francisco 49ers

• Signed: DL Ryan Delaire, TE Cole Wick

The Niners have been seeking a third quarterback since losing Jimmy Garoppolo in September. They finally have one in Savage, though he’s a long way from seeing the field. For now, Savage is penciled in as the third-string signal caller behind C.J. Beathard and Nick Mullens.

Savage was part of a QB contingent that worked out for the 49ers late last month, auditioning alongside Landry Jones, EJ Manuel, Kellen Clemens, T.J. Yates, Matt Simms, and Kyle Allen. Weeks later, he has landed a deal from SF.

Savage inked a one-year, $1.5MM deal with the Saints earlier this year, and appeared to be the favorite to serve as Drew Brees‘ top backup, but he was cut after Teddy Bridgewater was acquired via trade. A fourth-round pick in 2014, Savage appeared in 13 games and made nine starts over four seasons with the Texans.

Arizona Cardinals

• WR Carlton Agudosi
• DT Peli Anau
• CB Jarell Carter
• OLB Vontarrius Dora
• CB Jonathan Moxey
• WR Rashad Ross
• DT Pasoni Tasini
• RB Darius Victor
• OL Josh Allen
• LS Drew Williams

Baltimore Ravens

• DB Robertson Daniel

Chicago Bears

• OL Travis Averill
• WR Demarcus Ayers
• DB Doran Grant
• WR Mekale McKay
• OL Will Pericak
• TE Colin Thompson

Cincinnati Bengals

• LB Carl Bradford

Dallas Cowboys

• WR Brian Brown
• WR K.D. Cannon
• T Jarron James
• S Jameill Showers
• DT Joe Vellano
• CB Marquez White
• RB Trey Williams

Detroit Lions

• S Stefan McClure

Green Bay Packers

• WR Jake Kumerow
• WR Colby Pearson
• TE Robert Tonyan
• LS Zach Triner
• WR DeAngelo Yancey

Read more

Atlanta Falcons

• DE Ricky Ali’ifua; TE Anthony Firkser; DT Nigel Williams, FB Malcolm Johnson; LB Kevin Snyder (link)

Detroit Lions

• LSs Andrew East, Nolan Frese, Jeff Overbaugh; DT Toby Johnson; DE Joby Saint Fleur (link)

Green Bay Packers

• CB Josh Thornton; RB Marquez Williams (link)

Houston Texans

• WRs Demarcus Ayers, Montay Crockett, Tevaun Smith; TEs Jason Croom, Ryan Malleck, Cole Wick (link)

Indianapolis Colts

• G Willie Beavers; T Rich Max; TE Jason Vander Laan (link)

Los Angeles Chargers

• S Malik Smith (link)

New Orleans Saints

• RB Chase Reynolds; TE Jason Croom, LB Brandon Watts; WRs Devin Lucien, Francis Owusu, Rodney Smith (link) (link)

New York Jets

• T Storm Norton (link)

Buffalo Bills

• Signed: CB Sammy Seamster

New York Jets

• Released: RB Jahad Thomas

San Francisco 49ers

• Signed: CB Greg Mabin, TE Cole Wick
• Released: DB Jarnor Jones