Free Agency News

By Zach Kruse | Packerswire

The weather and location of Green Bay were at least contributing factors to why veteran receiver Emmanuel Sanders picked the New Orleans Saints over the Packers in free agency.

Sanders, who agreed to sign a two-year deal with the Saints, told Rich Eisen of “The Rich Eisen Show” that playing indoors in the south appealed more to him than playing in the cold up in Green Bay.

“It’s just Green Bay, that cold weather, Rich, I wasn’t trying to do it, man” Sanders said. “To be in a dome 12 games out of the year in a pass-heavy offense or go to Green Bay? I can’t do it. I’d rather go to New Orleans. I’m from the south. My grandma is six hours away, can come to all the games. I can have my family drive up. It’s just a perfect opportunity for me.” ...

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By John Sigler | Saints Wire

New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis spoke with John DeShazier of NewOrleansSaints.com on Friday, reviewing the opening weeks of free agency and surveying the status of the team while discussing the roster moves they have made already.

While the Saints have added a few notable veterans from other teams (including wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, safety Malcolm Jenkins, and fullback Michael Burton), they devoted most of their resources to keeping their own players after the open market wasn’t as welcoming as expected. That was an opportunity Loomis admitted he didn’t see coming.

“I would say going into this, I don’t know that I expected to be able to get David and Andrus re-signed. So I’m really happy that that happened,” Loomis said, referring to defensive tackle David Onyemata and two-time Pro Bowl left guard...

By John Sigler | Saints Wire

On paper, Malcolm Jenkins looked like the sort of player the Philadelphia Eagles should have moved mountains to keep around. He hasn’t missed a snap in the last two years and has suited up for every game the Eagles have played since signing with them six years ago. However, the Eagles backed themselves into a corner and weren’t able to retain their defensive captain. The New Orleans Saints stand to benefit from it.

As Eagles general manager Howie Roseman explained to Paul Domowitch of the Philadelphia Inquirer, “We’re in a position now with our team where we’re going to have to lose some guys.” The Eagles are expected to be in the red next season, with more than $25 million in liabilities above the projected salary cap. Much of that is due to a $34 million cap hit for 27-year-old quarterback Carson Wentz, who has been limited to 13- and 11-game seasons with injuries in his first four years. The $128 million contract extension they signed Wentz to last summer, when he was very much an unproven passer, has forced them into a tough spot moving forwards.

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By Chris Rosvoglou | The Spun

On Wednesday afternoon, Vonn Bell signed a three-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. It put an end to his successful stint with the New Orleans Saints.

Last season, Bell had 89 tackles, 1.5 sacks and an interception. He also had a knack for being around the football, recovering five fumbles in 2019.

Bell has to be excited about playing football in Ohio again, but that doesn’t mean he won’t miss his time spent in New Orleans. The former second-round pick shared a heartfelt message for his Saints teammates.

“To my teammates, it’s been a pleasure and a blessing to go to battle with you guys week in and week out. The culture we built and standard we set these last four years, my hope is that it only gets better,” Bell said. “The memories we created never be forgotten! A brotherhood that will last FOREVER.”

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