ESPN’s Adam Schefter points out that 29 players on the Saints’ 53-man roster have contracts that will expire this offseason.
18 are slated to be restricted free agents, while 11 are unrestricted.
Key restricted free agents, barring the unlikely reaching of a new CBA, include running back Pierre Thomas, injured left tackle Jammal Brown, Pro Bowl guard Jahri Evans, and strong safety Roman Harper.
Backup quarterback Mark Brunell, linebacker Scott Fujita, and free safety Darren Sharper are slated for unrestricted free agency.
So the NFC champs appear likely to experience some roster overhaul.
Brown, who will require a pricey tender to keep, presents the Saints with a possible dilemma, or trade possibility. Though he missed all of 2009 because of injury, Brown will have plenty of market value as an athletic 29-year-old blind-side tackle with two Pro Bowls on his resume.
The Saints’ starting left tackle on Sunday will be Jermon Bushrod, who has been up and down in 2009.