AP

The Saints cut linebacker Will Herring last week because they thought they could find better uses for the $1.6 million in cap space they saved when they dropped him from the roster.

It doesn’t seem that Herring’s actual play was a big part of the decision because Nakia Hogan of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that the Saints are expected to re-sign Herring in the near future. There’s no word on what kind of contract Herring signed, but it will presumably take up a smaller chunk of the cap than his previous deal.

Assuming Herring does return, it will be his third year with the Saints. He signed a three-year deal with them before the 2011 season and got a shot to compete for playing time on defense, but never grabbed a regular role on the unit. He was a key special-teamer, however, and figures to remain in that role while perhaps getting one more look at linebacker under new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

And, since you didn’t ask, it is fair to say that the pace of the offseason has slowed down from last week.