Free Agency News

Anthony Chickillo

By John Sigler | Saintswire

The New Orleans Saints are known for using every salary cap loophole they can get their hands on, and their latest moves are no different. Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Anthony Chickillo signed a free agent contract with the team that maintains the Saints’ salary cap flexibility.

As first reported by Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football, Chickillo’s one-year deal with the Saints qualifies for the veteran salary benefit. It means that he’ll count just $887,500 against this year’s salary cap, even if the Saints agreed to pay him a $910,000 base salary with a $137,500 signing bonus — for a total of $1,047,500.

This provision in the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement is designed to help teams sign veteran players to near-minimum salaries without sacrificing extra salary cap space. For cap-savvy teams like the Saints, it’s a way to load up their roster with good players without breaking the bank.

The Saints have now signed seven players to their 90-man offseason roster who qualify for this benefit, including Chickillo. And the players they’re signing aren’t just fodder for training camp: ...

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By WGNO Web Desk

NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans Saints have signed former Baltimore Raven Offensive Lineman, James Hurst, on a one-year deal, waiving WR Tim White.

Over the last 6 seasons in Baltimore, Hurst started 44 games, lining up at multiple positions. He appeared in all 16 regular-season games in 2019, on a Ravens offense that broke the NFL record for most rushing yards in a season.

Hurst says he hopes to contribute to the Saints however he can, as a part of an offense he has great respect for.

James Hurst said, “So much creativity has come out of (Sean Payton’s) system. Just seeing what they’ve been able to do and seeing how I could fit in, that is exciting.” ...

Full Story - WGNO

By B.T. Boylan - Sports Illustrated

Jadeveon Clowney is the best EDGE RUSHER still available in the free-agent market. Reports have linked the New Orleans Saints as potential suitors for the defensive end. Last week Clowney turned down a large contract from the Browns, could Clowney go “ring chasing” with the Saints in 2020?


The former South Carolina Gamecocks standout, DE, made one thing clear during his free agency...he wants to play for a winner. Clowney received lucrative contract offers from the Seattle Seahawks and Cleveland Browns since the start of free agency in March. However, he has refused both offers from those teams.

Several rumors have the New Orleans Saints linked to Clowney. A one-year contract would bode well for both sides in 2020. For Clowney, it serves as an opportunity to increase his free-agent value and chase a Super Bowl ring. For New Orleans, this will create a dynamic duo on the edge positions. The pairing of Clowney with Cameron Jordan would give the Saints another star player in their “Super Bowl or Bust” season. ...

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By John Sigler | Saintswire

The New Orleans Saints formally reported the signing of offensive lineman James Hurst on the NFL’s transaction wire, with the release of wide receiver Tim White as a corresponding move on the 90-man offseason roster.

Hurst, a veteran backup and occasional starter for the Baltimore Ravens at both left tackle and left guard, agreed to terms with the Saints on a one-year contract earlier this week. He has a good shot at making the team, and could be the backup for left tackle Terron Armstead the Saints have lacked. If nothing else, he has greater NFL experience than his competition.

As for White: he first joined the Saints practice squad last December following a high-profile workout including Antonio Brown, the embattled ex-All-Pro still trying to find his way back into the NFL. White was re-signed on a reserve/future contract after the 2019 season, but undrafted rookie additions pushed him off the roster. The Saints still have a dozen receivers under contract, so his chances of making the squad were slim. ...

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By John Sigler | Saintswire

It took a while, but former New Orleans Saints cornerback Eli Apple cashed in on a one-year contract worth $3 million, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Rapoport adds that this agreement includes a $750,000 signing bonus. Remember, the NFL’s cutoff date for 2021 compensatory pick qualifiers has passed, so the Saints will not recoup assets now that Apple has joined another team.

Apple initially agreed to terms on a $6 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders early in free agency, but those contract talks fell apart before pens could be put to paper.

Acquired by the Saints in a 2018 trade with the New York Giants, Apple experienced an up-and-down 27 games with the Saints, including the postseason. He intercepted just two passes in black and gold while logging more than 1,500 defensive snaps, drawing 21 penalties (five of them offsetting or declined) along the way. ...

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