Anfernee Jennings saw his Patriots tenure come to an end last month. The veteran linebacker has managed to line up his next gig immediately after the draft, though.
Jennings has agreed to a deal with the Saints, as first reported by Nick Underhill of New Orleans.Football. Numerous free agent signings can be expected after Monday, since that is the point where the 2027 compensatory pick formula is no longer affected. Since Jennings was cut earlier this offseason, however, he was free to sign at any time without impacting the Saints’ outlook in that regard.
A third-round pick in 2020, Jennings spent each of his first six years (and five seasons) in New England. He joined the team as a middle linebacker but also saw time on the edge over time. Jennings served as a full-time starter in 2023 and ’24, but the arrival new head coach Mike Vrabel resulted in a drop in defensive playing time. The Alabama product handled a snap share of just 33% in 2025, although he managed a pair of sacks during the season (and another two during New England’s run to the Super Bowl).
Jennings was cut in March in a move which came as little surprise since he was a trade candidate leading up to the deadline. The 28-year-old will look to earn at least a rotational role upon arrival in New Orleans, a team which made an addition to its front seven yesterday. During Day 3 of the draft, the Saints swung a trade with the Raiders for edge rusher Tyree Wilson. He and Jennings will be in place for OTAs as they attempt to earn a spot with New Orleans.
The Saints entered Sunday with nearly $14MM in cap space. That figure will be reduced once the team’s draft class is signed, while the acquisitions of Wilson and now Jennings point further to New Orleans choosing to move on from Cameron Jordan. The franchise icon remains unsigned at this time, and general manager Mickey Loomis noted the draft would play a role in determining how the team proceeded with respect to a re-signing.
New Orleans did not select any edge rushers or linebackers this weekend. With Wilson and Jennings in place, though, the team has added depth at that spot entering spring practices. It will be interesting to see how things play out with Jordan moving forward.