Ramczyk (knee) signed a renegotiated contract Monday, potentially setting the stage for his retirement, ESPN's Katherine Terrell reports. Terrell notes that Drew Brees signed a similar agreement in 2021 to help the Saints add much-needed cap space right before he retired. Ramczyk was one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL from 2017 to 2023, until knee cartilage problems derailed his career. He hasn't played since Week 14 of 2023 and will turn 31 in April.
Unlock the latest New Orleans Saints news — direct to your inbox.
Status
PUP-R - Knee - Surgery Expected Return: 2025-02-10Latest Ryan Ramczyk news
Other Saints Players
Team
New Orleans Saints
Birthdate
4/22/1994 (30)
Status
Physically unable to perform
HT/WT
6'6", 314 lbs
Draft Info
2017: Rd 1; Pk (NO)
Birthplace
Stevens Point, WI, USA
Position
T
College
Wisconsin
Experience
8 seasons
Career History
New Orleans Saints
2017-Present
(8 seasons)
Ramczyk (knee) signed a renegotiated contract Monday, potentially setting the stage for his retirement, ESPN's Katherine Terrell reports. Terrell notes that Drew Brees signed a similar agreement in 2021 to help the Saints add much-needed cap space right before he retired. Ramczyk was one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL from 2017 to 2023, until knee cartilage problems derailed his career. He hasn't played since Week 14 of 2023 and will turn 31 in April.
The Saints placed Ramczyk (knee) on reserve/PUP Thursday, and he will miss the entirety of the 2024 season, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Being a vested veteran, Ramczyk's placement on reserve/PUP before roster cutdowns later this summer means he will not be eligible to be activated at any point during the 2024 campaign. This isn't a complete surprise, however, as Ramczyk's availability for this season was already in question way early in the offseason. It's still a huge loss for a New Orleans offensive line that lost 12-game starter Andrus Peat to the Raiders in free agency and 15-game starter James Hurst to retirement. The Saints did use their first-round pick on tackle Taliese Fuaga and did sign veteran backup Olisaemeka Udoh, but 2022 first-rounder Trevor Penning needs to step up and take hold of a starting job in his third season after failing to do so the last two years.
Ramczyk (knee) won't be ready until at least training camp, head coach Dennis Allen said last week, John DeShazler of the Saints' official site reports. Ramczyk missed the team's final four games of the 2023 campaign and his status for the 2024 season remains up in the air. Allen stated Wednesday, "We're still waiting to see where he is - when we get probably to training camp will be the first time that we would even potentially see him." In his absence, Trevor Penning saw work with the first team at right tackle during OTAs.
Ramczyk (knee) may not be medically cleared to suit up for the 2024 campaign, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Coach Dennis Allen said Tuesday that Ramczyk's knee isn't responding as the Saints hoped, and that the team is unclear when the veteran right tackle will be cleared for action. The knee injury forced Ramczyk to miss the final four games of the 2023 season, and current backup Landon Young (knee) was a notable downgrade once plugged into the starting lineup. If Ramczyk's recovery does extend into the regular season, it will be a significant blow to New Orleans' offensive line.
Ramczyk (knee) agreed to restructure his contract with the Saints on Wednesday, Field Yates of ESPN reports. Details of Ramczyk's new deal are sparse, but he'll now be guaranteed $6.5 million in 2024, while he previously had no guaranteed money remaining on his contract. Before the reworked deal, the veteran offensive tackle was set to have a $27 million cap hit, so it's possible the Saints opened up significant 2024 cap space with the move.