The Saints are shopping running back Pierre Thomas and wide receiver Lance Moore to other teams in trade talks, sources tell ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). According to Schefter, New Orleans may also be open to the idea of moving running back Darren Sproles.
With a potential battle looming for Jimmy Graham, the Saints may be looking to create space to pay their tight end by clearing salary that’s currently committed to some of the team’s other offensive playmakers. Thomas is owed $2.9MM in total salary for 2014, while Moore has a cap number of about $5.07MM and Sproles is on the books for $4.25MM.
Although Moore is under contract through 2015 and may have the trickiest contract to move, Thomas and Sproles only have one year remaining on their respective deals. Thomas’ entire $2.9MM salary is currently non-guaranteed, which would make a trade very palatable for the Saints, though the team would have to find an interested suitor. The Saints reportedly reached out to Thomas and his agent last week to discuss the running back’s future, so perhaps the possibility of a trade was floated during that conversation.