Since 2021, Ryan Ramczyk, the right tackle for the New Orleans Saints, has been coping with a cartilage defect in his left knee. This condition led to his absence from seven games during the 2021 season. In the 2022 offseason, he opted for surgery in hopes of addressing the problem.
Despite managing to play in 16 out of 17 regular-season games in 2022, Ramczyk’s participation dwindled to 12 games in 2023, and he missed the final five due to the persistent knee issue. Recently, he underwent surgery again, and the team’s head coach provided an encouraging update on his injury status during the combine.
Dennis Allen, speaking to reporters at the combine, conveyed that Ramczyk’s recovery was progressing positively. He also expressed optimism about the player’s readiness for training camp.
However, as of today, the outlook for the All-Pro right tackle appears bleak.
What happens if Ryan Ramczyk retires? (NOTE: This is a hypothetical)
Ramczyk’s contract restructuring involved a significant reduction in his base salary from $17 million to the veteran minimum of $1.21 million. This adjustment enables the New Orleans Saints to categorize his retirement as a post-June 1st release, thereby spreading the considerable $35,359,969 dead cap hit across the years up to 2025. Although this restructuring provides the team with a cap space saving of $1,209,998, it also results in a dead cap hit of $11,650,323 for the year 2024 and a subsequent dead cap hit of $23,709,646 for the year 2025, as outlined by Spotrac.
Don’t be surprised if New Orleans drafts a tackle.
Considering Trevor Penning’s initial challenges and the potential need for a right tackle, it wouldn’t be unexpected if the team opts to use their 14th pick on a tackle in the upcoming draft. The current draft class boasts significant talent in the tackle position, making it a viable option for addressing this potential gap in the team’s roster.
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