Another former Saint is heading to the Mile High City this offseason to reunite with a familiar face on the sidelines. Wideout Marquez Callaway is signing a deal with the Broncos, per a team announcement.
Denver added Callaway on one-year deal worth $1.14MM, Mike Klis of 9News tweets. The Saints non-tendered Callaway as an RFA, and while the former New Orleans starter agreed to a deal south of the tender price, he will reunion with Sean Payton with the Broncos. Just more than $200K of Callaway’s money is guaranteed.
Callaway joins a growing list of players with experience in New Orleans choosing to join Payton in Denver. Fellow wideout Lil’Jordan Humphrey, along with tight end Chris Manhertz, fullback Michael Burton and running back Tony Jones Jr. have agreed to deals bringing them to Denver as Payton looks to guide the team’s offense to a rebound from last season’s struggles.
Callaway joined the Saints as a UDFA, and flashed potential in his debut season in 2020. The following year, he stepped into a much larger role in New Orleans’ offense, logging a snap share of 76%. The 24-year-old set new career highs across the board, racking up 46 catches for 698 yards and six touchdowns. His 15.2 yards per catch average demonstrated his capabilities as a deep threat, but that figure (among all others) took a sizeable step back last season.
The 2022 campaign marked the first for the Saints under Dennis Allen, rather than Payton. The latter’s decision to step away for a year was not a productive one for Callaway, who will look to regain his 2021 form working under Payton once again. His arrival comes just one day after it was learned KJ Hamler had suffered a torn pec, the latest in a long line of injuries for the slot receiver.
Hamler’s injury could open the door to more playing time for Callaway. In general, Denver’s receiver room is somewhat in flux, with Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy receiving trade interest. The future of the latter two thus remains in the air, but Callaway’s is in place for at least the 2023 season. A reunion with Payton could produce a bounce-back campaign, something which would help the Broncos take an expected step forward in their passing attack.
The Denver Saints lol
Are the Broncos gearing up to trade Jeudy or Sutton? Maybe get back a 1st rounder and/or more draft picks?
Or they are bringing in competition and depth considering Hamler could be out 4-6 months with his pectoral injury.