Is This the End of the Road for Cesar Ruiz in New Orleans?
When the Saints used a first-round pick on Cesar Ruiz back in 2020, the move checked a lot of boxes. They needed help on the offensive line, and Ruiz, coming out of Michigan, looked like a versatile interior lineman who could solidify the right guard spot or even slide over to center if needed. But four seasons later, it’s fair to ask: has Ruiz ever truly lived up to that billing?
Ruiz’s rookie season was a mixed bag. He started nine games at right guard, showing flashes of potential but also struggling with consistency-something that’s become a recurring theme throughout his time in New Orleans.
In 2021 and 2022, he took a step forward as a pass-blocker, earning solid grades in that department. And in 2024, he put together arguably the best season of his career, finishing with a 67.6 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.
That performance gave fans a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, he was turning the corner.
But even with that progress in pass protection, the full picture has remained murky. Ruiz’s run-blocking continues to be a major liability.
And for a team like the Saints that’s historically leaned on a balanced offensive attack, that’s a problem. Injuries haven’t helped either, further muddying the waters of his development.
The result? A player who’s shown enough to stick around, but not enough to truly cement his role as a long-term building block.
That’s why, as the 2026 offseason gets underway, there’s growing speculation that Ruiz’s time in New Orleans could be nearing its end.
Now, here’s where things get complicated. In 2023, the Saints signed Ruiz to a four-year, $44 million extension.
That deal looked like a vote of confidence at the time, but it’s now a bit of a financial hurdle. While there is an out in 2026, taking it would saddle the Saints with about $16 million in dead cap.
Not exactly ideal for a team that’s already had to get creative with the salary cap in recent years.
So what are the options? A trade could be on the table, and there are teams out there-like the Chargers-who could use a boost on the interior line to help protect a franchise quarterback like Justin Herbert.
Ruiz has proven he can hold his own in pass protection, and that alone might be enough to generate some interest. But the question remains: would another team be willing to take on his contract knowing the Saints might be ready to cut ties anyway?
Sometimes, a change of scenery is what a player needs to unlock the next level of their game. That could be the case here.
Ruiz hasn’t been a bust, but he hasn’t been a cornerstone either. If the Saints can find a trade partner and recoup some draft capital, that might be the best-case scenario for both sides.
And if not, they’ll have a tough decision to make-one that could carry a hefty financial hit.
Either way, it feels like the clock is ticking on Cesar Ruiz’s time in New Orleans.