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In accompaniment with a couple of restructures on Saturday, the New Orleans Saints have brought back Ty Montgomery. The WR/RB hybrid signed with the Saints ahead of the 2020 season last year to the tune of a lot of excitement around the fanbase. That excitement now continues as the Saints have re-signed Montgomery to a one-year vet minimum deal.
The #Saints re-signed RB Ty Montgomery to a one-year, veteran benefit deal with a $137,500 signing bonus.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 6, 2021
Montgomery had an interesting first year with New Orleans. Between Alvin Kamara’s astonishing season and Montgomery’s early-season injury, the former Green Bay Packer’s contributions were limited early, playing more than 3% of snaps in only four games throughout 2020.
But then Week 17 happened. The entire running back room aside from practice squad back Tony Jones Jr. was sent to the Reserve/COVID list. With Montgomery spending most of his time with the receivers throughout the season, he was then tapped to take on lead back responsibilities against the Carolina Panthers. In doing so, he rushed for 105 yards on 18 carries, averaging 5.83 yards per run.
That game, his pass blocking ability, multiple nature within the offense, and special teams contributions make him a low-risk, high-reward move as the Saints hardly feel the cap implications of his signing.
Ty Montgomery's one-year deal is a veteran minimum deal with a vet salary benefit. This means his $990K base salary and $137,500 bonus will only count as $850K against the cap.
— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) March 6, 2021
Simultaneously it bumps a player out of the top 51, so the impact is only $190K right now.
The Saints continue to work the cap into the weekend, retaining a player that proved vital at the end of the season. As New Orleans continues to navigate a presently unknown salary limit, these fiscally simple contracts should continue to accompany larger cap saving measures.
Players on vet minimum deals have uncertain futures, of course. But if Montgomery can impress in camp again this year the way he did in 2020, he could play a pivotal and perhaps more consistent role this upcoming season. Especially with some unknowns still at the running back position. The contract of Latavius Murray will be one to watch moving forward. Now, with Montgomery back, the Saints have some flexibility in how they choose to creatively navigate their cap overage. Though walking in to 2021 with the running back room of at least Kamara, Murray, and Montgomery again isn’t a bad look at all.
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