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The Saints are intent on hanging onto quarterback Drew Brees.

But as they face looming salary cap problems, other aging players may be hearing the clock tick on their time there.

When General Manager Mickey Loomis was on SiriusXM earlier this week, he talked up a group of young receivers, and had particularly high praise for Brandon Coleman, who could ultimately replace Marques Colston.

Via the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Loomis said Coleman was “a big guy out of Rutgers that has done some good things, and I think in many ways is the heir apparent to Marques.”

Coleman was impressive late in the season, with 16 receptions for 231 yards in the last five games. With the 10-year-veteran Colston on the decline (he had career lows with 45 receptions for 520 yards and four touchdowns), it could just be a matter of time before he’s on his way out.

The Saints could save $3.2 million of cap space if they cut Colston with a post-June 1 designation, or they could ask him to take a pay cut.

Parting with their all-time leader in receiving yards and touchdowns won’t be an easy call for the Saints, as Loomis has also pointed out how valuable he is as a leader. They have young wideouts in Brandon Cooks and Willie Snead to go with Coleman.

But for a team with many problems, a 32-year-old receiver might be viewed as a luxury, especially with a replacement on hand and emerging already.