The New Orleans Saints will most likely release wide receiver Marques Colston, according to league sources. The release is expected to happen within the next few days.
The Saints aren’t releasing Colston because of the salary cap. They are already under the projected 2016 cap. Releasing Colston will save the Saints $3.2 million in cap space. Colston was scheduled to make $3.2 million in salary and bonuses this year and will count for $2.7 million in dead money, according to ESPN, which first reported the news. The Saints will have just three players from their 2009 Super Bowl team: quarterback Drew Brees, offensive tackle Zach Strief and punter Thomas Morstead, if they release Colston.
"He's one of the most unselfish players I've ever played with, one of the greatest teammates I've ever had, one of the most dependable, most reliable people I've ever played with," Brees said of Colston late last season. "I consider myself lucky to have had, so far, these 10 years with him. And he never ceases to amaze me, just some of the big plays he has the ability to make."
Colston, whose nickname is "the Quiet Storm," was drafted by the Saints in 2006. He has spent his entire career in New Orleans. In his first seven seasons he had six 1,000-plus-yard seasons. He had 45 catches for 520 yards and four touchdowns last season, according to NFL.com. Colston is the Saints' all-time leading receiver and has 9,759 receiving yards and 72 touchdowns in his career.
Third-year receiver Brandon Coleman will likely be Colston’s replacement, since Saints' general manager Mickey Loomis called Coleman a possible “heir apparent” to Colston. It is unknown if Colston will try to sign with another team or possibly retire.
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