New Orleans Saints News & Rumors

Broncos, Seahawks Pursued TE Juwan Johnson; Latest On Evan Engram’s Free Agency Call

In what may be the least surprising free agency what-if in this year’s cycle, the Broncos were one of the teams in on Juwan Johnson. The veteran tight end confirmed (via ESPN.com’s Katherine Terrell) a Sean Payton reunion was on the table.

The Broncos already employ two former Saints tight ends, in Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull, and their roster and coaching staff includes other ex-Saints. Denver, though, looked to serve as the lead driver of a market that ended with a three-year, $30.75MM deal for one of Payton’s more successful UDFAs.

New Orleans carved out enough cap room, primarily using Derek Carr‘s contract as a tool, to re-sign Johnson and Chase Young and add Justin Reid. Johnson will stay with the team with which he has spent his entire career, remaining paired up with Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill. Johnson, 28, will be the lead target among this trio thanks to this contract.

The Seahawks also pursued Johnson, which represents a less predictable push due to the team having re-signed Noah Fant during last year’s legal tampering period. Fant is on a two-year, $21.5MM deal, but Johnson carries a season of experience with Klint Kubiak, who did not overlap with Fant in Denver. The former first-round pick does not have any guaranteed salary on the books for 2026, though he is a year younger than Johnson.

Prior to agreeing to return in a new Saints offense, Johnson said (via NewOrleans.football’s Nick Underhill) he met with new HC Kellen Moore. Johnson called the new Saints HC the night before he signed to go over his vision for himself in the offense. Evidently, this conversation went well, as Johnson will be a key piece of Moore’s first Saints operation.

Although we included Johnson as the only tight end in the PFR Top 50, the list emerged before the Jaguars cut Evan Engram. A more accomplished player, Engram also looks to have benefited from where the Saints went for Johnson. A day after the Johnson pact, the Broncos gave Engram a two-year, $23MM accord. That narrowly topped Johnson’s AAV number, as Engram has two Pro Bowls on a resume that includes five 575-plus-yard seasons (to Johnson’s zero).

Engram, though, is two years older than Johnson. The 30-year-old TE also received an offer from the Chargers, 9News’ Mike Klis adds, noting the Bolts’ proposal checked in around where the Broncos’ offer came in. Engram visited both teams, meeting with the Broncos before Johnson recommitted to the Saints. The Broncos may have passed on beating the Saints’ offer to reunite Payton and Johnson, but they received news of Engram’s commitment barely a day later. This stands to help a team that saw Trautman’s 188 yards lead its TE contingent last season.

Of Engram’s $16MM guarantee at signing, $5MM comes as part of his 2026 base salary ($10.99MM), KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes. Though he gave the Saints a three-year commitment, Johnson did better at signing; New Orleans gave its TE find $21.25MM fully guaranteed.

Although they have signed half of last year’s AFC West starting centers (Bradley Bozeman, Andre James), the Chargers have thus far stood down at tight end. Their offer to Engram, of course, shows an interest in upgrading. Hayden Hurst hit free agency last week, while the team lost Stone Smartt to the Jets. Will Dissly, last season’s Bolts TE yardage leader, remains under contract.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/17/25

Today’s minor moves:

Chicago Bears

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Las Vegas Raiders

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Raiders are retaining a key rotational cornerback in Darnay Holmes. After spending the first four seasons of his career with the Giants, the former fourth-round pick joined Las Vegas at the end of the 2024 preseason. He ended up getting into 16 games for his new squad, collecting 30 tackles and three passes defended while appearing in about 28 percent of his team’s defensive snaps.

With Nick Caley now installed as Houston’s new offensive coordinator, the former TE/FB coach was obviously going to bring in a player at the position. He landed on a familiar face, as Caley coached Jakob Johnson when the two were together in New England. The veteran fullback has appeared in 70 career games, although he was limited to only three appearances in 2024 while bouncing on and off the Giants’ roster.

Justin Reid Chose Saints Over Titans, Eagles, Chiefs

The Saints won a multi-team battle for Justin Reid last week, with the Eagles and the Titans falling short in their bid to sign the veteran safety, per Bleacher Report’s James Palmer.

The Eagles “weren’t close” to the $10.5M APY that Reid received from the Saints, per Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer, suggesting that he was willing to take less money to join the reigning Super Bowl champions.

Reid confirmed those teams’ interest in his introductory press conference, adding that the Chiefs explored a reunion with their longtime safety as well. He added that there is “no animosity” between him and the Chiefs, but signing with the Saints “made too much sense” for the Louisiana native.

He went to college across the country at Stanford, but falling to the Texans in the 2018 draft allowed Reid to stay somewhat close to home in Houston. His three years in Kansas City pulled him farther away from Louisiana, but he will now get to play for his childhood team.

“Every kid in Louisiana dreams about playing for the Saints,” said Reid. He will reunite with fellow Louisiana native Tyrann Mathieu in New Orleans. Reid played with Mathieu in Houston in 2018 and later replaced him in Kansas City in 2022.

His new contract in New Orleans is worth $31.5MM over three years, the same as his last deal with the Chiefs. He is receiving $2MM more in guaranteed money, though his APY has not increased with salary cap inflation.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/15/25

Saturday’s minor moves:

New Orleans Saints

Seattle Seahawks

Jones’ Bears tenure ended midway through the 2024 campaign when he was waived. The former third-rounder saw time on the Jaguars’ practice squad before making a pair of appearances with the Panthers at the end of the year. Jones, entering his age-28 season, will look to compete for a roster spot in New Orleans.

Jean-Charles is signing a one-year deal, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. The 26-year-old has made 37 appearances across his time with the Packers, 49ers and Saints so far in his career. He has primarily worked on special team to date, and that will likely continue to be the case in Seattle.

Seahawks Talking Deal With Cooper Kupp; Cowboys Cooling On WR?

2:35pm: The prospect of Kupp coming back home to Washington remains firmly in play. The veteran receiver has been in contact with members of the Seahawks organization, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler and Brady Henderson, who add the team is attempting to sell with receiver on its 2025 plans. As Seattle separated from a six-year WR tandem, Kupp is a clear option to join Jaxon Smith-Njigba next season.

12:51pm: Confirming the Seahawks, Saints and Broncos‘ interest, The Athletic’s Jeff Howe indicates the Cowboys are viewed as a long shot. Not big in recent years of signing pricey outside free agents, Dallas may need to go well past the $10MM-AAV place to sign Kupp. Previously mentioned at $12MM per year, Kupp’s market may surpass even that range.

Despite Kupp’s spate of injuries, his per-year asking price has hovered as high as $15MM, Howe adds. Though, Howe indicates Kupp would probably drop his price for one of his preferred destinations (and expand his list if another team comes up to the $15MM-AAV neighborhood). That will not be an easy sell for a player who has missed 18 games over the past three years, but it is clear Kupp has generated a nice market early in his first free agency tour.

8:41am: One of the top remaining storylines in free agency is the looming Cooper Kupp decision. The now-former Ram is expected to sign with a new team soon, and further details about his potential destination have emerged.

The Seahawks have already been mentioned as a Kupp suitor, which comes as no surprise. Seattle cut Tyler Lockett shortly before trading away D.K. Metcalf, creating the need for at least one veteran addition. Kupp is a Yakima, Washington, native, so a Seahawks agreement would represent a homecoming and allow him to remain on the West Coast after eight years in Los Angeles.

Confirming Seattle is “very interested” in Kupp, a report from Dianna Russini, Jourdan Rodrigue, Jon Machota, Saad Yousef and Mark Puleo of The Athletic adds the Cowboys fit that same description (subscription required). Dallas is in the market for a new No. 2 receiver with Brandin Cooks currently without a deal. The veteran has expressed a willingness to re-sign, although he also feels he was not utilized properly during his two-year tenure with the team.

While a departure on that front would leave a notable vacancy on the depth chart behind CeeDee Lamb, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Cowboys’ “push” to land Kupp has not elevated the team to the status of favorites. Taking things further, Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News adds the team is “not in the mix” for Kupp at this point. The Cowboys re-signed returner Kavonte Turpin – who has taken on a larger offensive role in each of three years with the team – but a proven receiver would be welcomed as part of the team’s efforts to take a step forward in 2025.

Yesterday, Kupp was connected to an asking price of around $12MM per year. Teams were seen as unwilling to go that high for the 31-year-old (who has missed considerable time since his ‘Triple Crown’ campaign in 2021), and Russini adds that remains the case at this point. The Rams were willing to retain salary in a potential Kupp trade, but his release has left him free to ink a deal with any suitor. The Pro Bowler will not be able to match the $26.7MM AAV of his previous pact, though, of course.

The Jaguars emerged as a potential team to watch on the Kupp front, but an update indicated they are not in the running. The Patriots, meanwhile, are seen as a contender as they continue to seek out a veteran receiver. Thursday also produced a report stating a mutual interest exists between Kupp and the Broncos. The Athletic piece notes a decision can be expected today, so clarity on his future should emerge very soon.

Saints Interested In Cooper Kupp

As the Cooper Kupp sweepstakes unfold, the list of known suitors continues to grow. The Saints have emerged as the latest team to watch.

New Orleans is “making a push” to sign the former Rams All-Pro, Mike Silver of The Athletic reports. Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football confirms the Saints have been involved in Kupp’s market. A decision is expected as early as today, so it will be interesting to see if this latest development is followed by movement indicating a Kupp deal is feasible for the team.

Kupp is believed to prefer remaining on the West Coast after spending his first eight years in the NFL in Los Angeles. The Yakima, Washington, native has – to no surprise – been linked to the Seahawks in the time since his release. Seattle is indeed interested in pursuing a deal. Other suitors (a list which does not include the Jaguars and does not appear to have the Cowboys high on it, at all) are in play, though, with the Patriots and Broncos emerging yesterday as potential contenders.

Until recently, the Saints found themselves projected to be well over the 2025 cap ceiling. As usual, the team executed a number of restructures aimed at reducing the immediate cap hits of several veterans. New Orleans therefore entered Friday with roughly $19.7MM in cap space, enough for a modest addition while taking into account future costs like the incoming draft class. Kupp’s asking price (which has been floated as being between $12MM-$14MM per season) has been seen as too high to date, and Underhill adds it is unlikely the Saints would engage in a serious bidding war in this case (or for any other option).

New Orleans has Chris Olave atop the receiver depth chart, but his three-year career has been marred by concussion issues; the 2022 first-rounder was limited to eight games this past season. Rashid Shaheed has one year remaining on his deal, although the meniscus tear which ended his campaign in October threatens to lead to missed time next season. The Saints have not added a new receiver so far in free agency, whereas Marquez Valdes-Scantling has agreed to a Seahawks contract.

Tight end Juwan Johnson was in danger of departing as well, but he wound up re-signing with the Saints on a lucrative three-year deal. That pact ensures there will be continuity at the skill positions in 2025 for New Orleans, but the team’s pass-catching group could soon see a notable addition.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/13/25

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Dallas Cowboys

Indianapolis Colts

Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Contract Details: Allen, Bills, Bears, Giants, Adebo, Packers, Hobbs, Chiefs, Saints

Starting with one monster Bills extension and another big-ticket deal, here are the latest contract details from around the NFL:

  • Josh Allen, QB (Bills): Six years, $330MM. Classified as a two-year add-on that provides the reigning MVP with a roughly $90MM raise, the deal includes some key dates. On fully guaranteed salaries in 2025 and ’26, Allen will see all of his 2027 pay become fully guaranteed on Day 5 of the 2026 league year, per OverTheCap. On Day 5 of the 2027 league year, Allen’s 53.5MM salary locks in. $14MM of Allen’s 2029 roster bonus ($22.3MM) becomes guaranteed on Day 5 of the 2028 league year. Allen will be due a $35MM roster bonus on Day 5 of the 2029 league year. He is tied to a $41.3MM cap number in 2025, but restructures are likely coming; his cap hit spikes to $61.4MM in 2026.
  • Gregory Rousseau, DE (Bills). Four years, $80MM. Rousseau will see $49MM guaranteed at signing, OverTheCap notes, while his 2025 and ’26 base salaries are fully guaranteed. The Bills are providing guarantees into Year 3, as KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes that $5MM of Rousseau’s $16.41MM base is locked in already. The rest will shift from an injury guarantee to a full guarantee on Day 5 of the 2027 league year. A $3MM roster bonus is also in place on Day 5 of the 2029 league year.
  • Paulson Adebo, CB (Giants). Three years, $54MM. The young cornerback will see $34.75MM guaranteed at signing. Despite Adebo only signing a three-year deal, that full guarantee ranks 10th among corners. The Giants guaranteed $13.5MM of Adebo’s $17.25MM 2026 salary, ESPN.com’s Katherine Terrell tweets. The rest becomes guaranteed on Day 5 of the 2026 league year.
  • Dayo Odeyingbo, DE (Bears): Three years, $48MM. The ex-Colt will see $29.5MM guaranteed at signing, per OverTheCap. $13MM of Odeyingbo’s $15.5MM 2026 base salary is guaranteed at signing, with Wilson adding the rest locks in on Day 3 of the 2026 league year. A $1MM roster bonus is also due on Day 5 of the 2027 league year; Odeyingbo’s 2027 base is nonguaranteed.
  • Nate Hobbs, CB (Packers). Four years, $48MM. While Hobbs is guaranteed $16MM at signing, the general Packers contract structure resurfaces here. Reminding of Josh Jacobs‘ 2024 deal (also 4/48), his former Raiders teammate has no guarantees beyond that $16MM signing bonus, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio notes. A $6.25MM roster bonus is due on Day 3 of the 2026 league year, Wilson tweets. The Packers typically do not guarantee second-year salaries, but they would be out $12MM in dead money if they move in on 2026 — due to signing bonus prorations.
  • Darius Slayton, WR (Giants). Three years, $36MM. Now on a third Giants contract, Slayton will receive $22MM at signing, Wilson tweets. That is $10MM more than his second contract was worth in total. Slayton’s 2026 salary is mostly guaranteed, with Wilson adding $9.75MM of that $12.25MM is locked in. A $2.5MM roster bonus in place on Day 5 of the 2027 league year.
  • Juwan Johnson, TE (Saints). Three years, $30.75MM. Johnson will see $21.25MM at signing, with Wilson adding his 2025 and ’26 base salaries are guaranteed. Johnson’s 2027 paragraph 5 number ($7.5MM) is nonguaranteed, but a $2MM roster bonus is due on Day 5 of the 2027 league year.
  • Jaylon Moore, T (Chiefs). Two years, $30MM. The Chiefs are guaranteeing their new left tackle hopeful $21.24MM at signing. A career-long 49ers backup, Moore will see $7MM of his $14.24MM 2026 base salary guaranteed at signing, Wilson tweets.

Saints, CB Isaac Yiadom Agree To Deal

Isaac Yiadom is set to return to the Saints. The veteran corner has a three-year deal in place with New Orleans, per an announcement from his agent.

The pact has a base value of $9MM and can top out at $10.5MM, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Yiadom will collect $4.86MM in guarantees. After spending last season with the 49ers, he will re-join the Saints (for whom he played in 2023).

Yiadom has bounced around the league, spending time with six teams in seven years. The 29-year-old has seen his playing time fluctuate over the years, but he handled a notable workload during his first New Orleans tenure (47% defensive snap share). With Paulson Adebo no longer in the fold, Yiadom could step into a starting gig in 2025 and beyond with this multi-year pact.

In 2023, the former third-rounder posted 14 pass deflections, the highest total of his career. Yiadom allowed a completion percentage of just 48.9% that year, and the Saints are counting on a repeat of that success with this latest pact. After playing on several one-year contracts (including one worth $3MM with the 49ers in 2024), he will no doubt welcome a longer-term commitment carrying the same annual average value as last year’s deal.

New Orleans traded away Marshon Lattimore midway through the 2024 campaign, and that move – along with Adebo’s departure – paved the way for a reset at the cornerback spot. 2024 second-rounder Kool-Aid McKinstry made nine starts as a rookie, and he will be counted on to be a mainstay in the lineup moving forward. Yiadom will face high expectations upon returning to the Saints’ secondary, a unit which will also feature safety Justin Reid next season.

For the 49ers, this news marks another loss in the defensive backfield. Corner Charvarius Ward and safety Talanoa Hufanga landed deals with new teams early this week, and Yiadom’s departure comes after he made five starts last season. San Francisco has added Tre Brown so far in free agency, but further investments will be needed to shore up the secondary.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/11/25

Here are today’s minor moves from around the NFL:

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

New Orleans Saints

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Anger is a 13-year veteran who has spent the last four years in Dallas, which included Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors in 2021 and 2023. He will stay with the Cowboys on a two-year deal, per ESPN’s Todd Archer.

Tonyan had a few strong seasons in Green Bay earlier in his career, but he has struggled to produce over the last two years. He spent 2024 in Minnesota, but only played 15 snaps on offense with zero targets. He will add tight end depth in Kansas City.

Stoops received a two-game suspension for violating the NFL’s Performance-Enhancing Substances Policy, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. He will be eligible to participate in training camp and preseason games, but will be sidelined for the first two games of the regular season.

McNichols is staying in Washington on a one-year deal, according to Pelissero. The seven-year veteran appeared in 17 games for the Commanders in 2024 and rushed for 261 yards and four touchdowns on 55 attempts. McNichols will likely continue as Washington’s RB3 behind Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler.