The latest key piece in the Saints' offseason plans has been locked into place with a new deal for right tackle Ryan Ramczyk.
The deal, first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, is for 5 years and $96 million.
Ramczyk was scheduled to play on his 5th-year option in the 2021 season, but is now the owner of an extension that puts him atop his position with an annual salary of $19.2 million per season. The deal also includes $60 million guaranteed. Philadelphia Eagles right tackle had been the previous owner of the highest paid title with an average of $18 million per season.
"Obviously, it's awesome, but at the end of the day I'm going to go out and do what I always do and train the way I do and prepare the way I do," Ramczyk said. "It's cool to see that on social media and stuff, but I'm still me. I'm still gonna be the same guy, same work ethic."
Ramczyk has been a mainstay along the Saints' offensive line since he was selected No. 32 overall in the 2017 draft, the pick acquired from the New England Patriots in the trade of Brandin Cooks.
He showed his versatility as a rookie, taking snaps at both right and left tackle. He's displayed impressive durability since, playing in 63 of 64 possible regular season games, and was named first-team All-Pro in 2019 while not allowing a single sack all season. The Wisconsin alum was named 2nd team All-Pro in the 2018 and 2020 seasons.
The overall structure of the contract is yet to be announced, but it's likely to be backloaded in some form to free up cap space in 2021. The Saints had previously converted a majority of Marshon Lattimore's option salary for space to sign the 2021 rookie class.
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Ramczyk was scheduled to make just over $11 million on that option. The 27-year-old was asked during Saints minicamp about a potential extension, and said he had no intention of holding out as extension negotiations played out.
It's unclear how actively the Saints are wooing potential free agent signings, but GM Mickey Loomis said earlier in June that the team was still interested in more depth in the secondary if the right situation presented itself.
The only notable name that has been in New Orleans for a workout was former Bengals and Cardinals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick.
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Follow Jeff Nowak on Twitter @Jeff_Nowak or contact him by email at jeffrey.nowak@audacy.com
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