With training camp set to open this week, it sounds like Saints wideout Willie Snead won’t be among those who are holding out. According to ESPN’s Field Yates (via Twitter), the receiver has signed his exclusive rights free agent tender. The receiver will now be playing on a one-year deal that pays him $615K. According to Josh Katzenstein of NOLA.com, the wideout has confirmed that he will not be holding out and will be on the practice field this Thursday.
There were whispers throughout the offseason that Snead and the Saints were working on a long-term contract. Due to the tender, Snead didn’t have the ability to sign with another team, clearly limiting his options. However, the wideout sounded optimistic that the Saints front office and agent Drew Rosenhaus (who he hired in June) would agree on a new contract.
“I think the guys upstairs are working on it,” Snead said. “I’m hopeful, and I just have to keep worrying about myself and staying healthy and doing all the right things. I know it’s going to be a handled, it’s going to take time, but I feel like we’ll get it done sooner or later.”
Snead, an undrafted free agent out of Ball State in 2014, has established himself as one of Drew Brees‘ top targets over the past two season. Between 2015 and 2016, the 24-year-old has appeared in 30 games (12 starts) and compiled 141 receptions for 1,879 yards and seven touchdowns. Following the Brandin Cooks trade, Snead figures to start alongside Michael Thomas and Ted Ginn Jr..