John Sigler
March 13, 2023 10:18 am CT
Our New Orleans Saints free agency tracker is live. Check this space often for every report, rumor, and signing as the black and gold work to retool their roster for the 2023 season. The Saints are going into free agency with 56 of their 90 offseason roster spots filled, having already brought back several of their own players before the NFL’s legal tampering period begins.
Which brings us to how this process actually works. Then Saints can talk to their own free agents at any time — but league rules mean they can’t approach other teams’ free agents until 11 a.m. CT on Monday, March 13. That’s when teams are allowed to reach out to players around the league. But again, nothing is official until 3 p.m. CT on Wednesday, March 15. That’s when the new league fiscal year begins and when players can sign on the dotted line.
So we’ve got to be careful with how this is all reported. Agreements can fall apart and be broken. We’ll have all of the Saints news from trusted outlets and reporters gathered in this space along with our coverage from every report and rumor. Stay tuned as things heat up in the days ahead:
In-house free agents extended for 2023
- Feb. 25: Defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon. The veteran backup has played a big role in the rotation behind Cameron Jordan and Marcus Davenport, and he could be in for a bigger role if Davenport leaves in free agency. He signed a two-year extension.
- March 10: Safety J.T. Gray. The special teams ace is returning on a three-year extension after earning All-Pro and Pro Bowl recognition in 2021. He’s led the team in tackles in the kicking game during each of the last two seasons.
- March 11: Tight end Juwan Johnson. The wide receiver-turned-tight end broke out in a big way with seven touchdown catches in 2022 and cashed in with a two-year contract extension. He made strides as a blocker last season after packing on 15 pounds of muscle over the summer.
- March 13: Quarterback Jameis Winston. He wasn’t a free agent, but the Saints asked Winston to either take a big pay cut or be released, and he opted to stay in town where he already knows the offense. His one-year, $8 million deal lines up well with what other backup quarterbacks around the league are making.
- March 14: Wide receiver Michael Thomas. He wasn’t a free agent either, but he feels like one, and the Saints are bringing him back on a one-year deal valued at $10 million with another $5 million available through incentives.
- March 15: Linebacker Ty Summers. Summers joined the team late in 2022 after being poached from the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad, but he quickly worked his way into five of the six special teams units.
- March 16: Left guard Andrus Peat. Peat agreed to a steep pay cut, which saved the Saints a lot of salary cap resources while insuring he’ll be on the roster this season. He’ll now be a free agent in 2024.
- March 21: Defensive tackle Malcolm Roach. Roach initially passed on a two-year offer, per NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill, only to return to the Saints after testing the free agent market, as first reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. ESPN’s Katherine Terrell reports that it’s a one-year deal.
- April 3: Linebacker Andrew Dowell. The Saints announced that Dowell has re-signed, but the terms of his contract remain undisclosed. He brings depth to the linebacker corps and a lot of experience on special teams.
In-house free agents leaving for new teams
- March 13: Defensive tackle David Onyemata. ESPN’s Mike Garafolo reports that Onyemata has agreed to terms on a three-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons valued at $35 million, with $24.5 million in guarantees. Onyemata’s departure leaves behind $10.1 million in dead money on the books for New Orleans.
- March 13: Defensive tackle Shy Tuttle. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Tuttle agreed to terms on a three-year deal with the Carolina Panthers valued at $19.5 million, with $13 million guaranteed at signing. Both of New Orleans’ top two defensive tackles are playing for NFC South rivals now.
- March 13: Linebacker Kaden Elliss. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Elliss has agreed to terms on a new deal with the Atlanta Falcons, where he’ll reunite with former Saints co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen.
- March 13: Defensive end Marcus Davenport. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero report that Davenport agreed to terms on a one-year contract worth $13 million.
- March 14: Quarterback Andy Dalton. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Dalton is expected to agree to terms on a two-year, $10 million contract with the Carolina Panthers.
- March 15: Wide receiver Deonte Harty. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Harty is expected to sign with the Buffalo Bills, with NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reporting the two-year deal is valued at up to $13.5 million.
- March 20: Safety Justin Evans. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo report that Evans is leaving the Saints for a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, though contract terms remain undisclosed.
- March 24: Wide receiver Marquez Callaway. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler first reported that Callaway was closing in on a deal with the Denver Broncos, which the team later announced upon being signed. It’s a one-year deal.
- March 30: Defensive tackle Kentavius Street. ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported that Street was expected to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles, joining his former teammate Justin Evans.
Outside free agents signed for 2023
- March 6: Quarterback Derek Carr. The Saints’ new starting quarterback spent the first nine years of his career with the Raiders, where he set franchise records in every passing category. Because the Raiders released Carr, he will not factor into the compensatory draft picks formula for 2024.
- March 7: Safety Ugo Amadi.This addition was reported on the daily NFL transactions wire from the league office. Amadi was on the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad last year, but they didn’t retain him on a reserve/future deal so he wound up in New Orleans. He brings some depth to the secondary.
- March 15: Defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd. The New York Jets lineman is coming off of his best season in run defense, having also racked up 17 pressures and a couple of sacks. He could be a nice addition to the interior line.
- March 15: Defensive tackle Khalen Saunders. The Saints doubled up on the defensive line by bringing in Saunders, who was a high-effort player and a key piece of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl-winning defense.
- March 16: Running back Jamaal Williams. The Saints agreed to terms on a three-year contract with the league leader in touchdown runs (17), giving them a powerful runner to pair with Alvin Kamara.
- March 17: Offensive tackle Storm Norton. The Saints reached an agreement with Norton to a one-year deal, per his representatives at JL Sports. Norton started the 2021 season at right tackle for the Los Angeles Chargers but has backed up both tackle spots in his NFL career.
- March 20: Defensive back Lonnie Johnson. The Score’s Jordan Schultz reports that Johnson agreed to a one-year deal with the Saints after appearing in 12 games with the Tennessee Titans last year; his career started with the Houston Texans as a second-round pick out of Kentucky.
- March 21: Safety Johnathan Abram. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Abram plans to sign with the Saints after a physical exam on Wednesday. The former Las Vegas Raiders first-round pick also spent time with the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks last season.
- March 27: Wide receiver Bryan Edwards. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill first reported the signing. Edwards was drafted by the Raiders and played well with Derek Carr in 2020 and 2021, and he’s hoping to reestablish that connection.
Free agency reports and rumors
- March 9: NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill reports that the Saints have made positive momentum in talks on a contract extension with wide receiver Michael Thomas, who is expected to be released at the start of the league year.
- March 10: ESPN’s Dianna Russini reports that the Saints offered a restructured contract — really a pay cut — to quarterback Jameis Winston, who could return as Carr’s backup. He must make a decision before the start of free agency or else be released.
- March 12: ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that the Saints are not expected to offer a restricted free agent tender to wide receiver Marquez Callaway, who led the team in receiving in 2021 but fell down the depth chart last season.
- March 13: KPRC2 Houston’s Aaron Wilson reports that Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata is one of several free agents at the position who are “poised for strong paydays.”
- March 13: ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Saints reworked their contract with defensive end Cameron Jordan, saving $10 million against the salary cap.
- March 13: NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that the Saints also restructured their contract with running back Alvin Kamara, saving up to $7 million in salary cap space.
- March 13: NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill reports that the Saints “made an offer” to free agent defensive tackle Malcolm Roach, but “he’s testing the market.”
- March 13: NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill reports that cornerback Marshon Lattimore agreed to restructure his contract, opening up as much as $10 million in salary cap space.
- March 23: NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill reports that the Saints are taking a look at former Raiders wide receiver Bryan Edwards, who played well with Derek Carr in 2021 but was traded to the Falcons in 2022.
