Foster Moreau

Saints Release C Billy Price

July 20th, 2023 at 8:35pm CST by Ben Levine

After signing with the Saints last month, Billy Price‘s stint with the organization has already come to an end. The team announced today that they’ve released the veteran center with a non-football injury designation. The team also announced that they placed tight end Miller Forristall on the physically unable to perform list.

When the Saints first signed Price a month ago, it was assumed the veteran would provide some experienced depth behind starting center Erik McCoy, who has missed nine games over the past two seasons. While Price’s “non-football injury” likely contributed to his release, there’s also a chance the Saints are optimistic about their backup center options heading into 2023. Assuming the team wants to keep Cesar Ruiz at guard, then UDFA Alex Pihlstrom will likely be in the drivers seat for the backup center gig.

Price has 45 games of starting experience under his belt, so a center-needy team will likely consider adding him to the ranks. The former first-round pick found himself in and out of the Bengals’ starting lineup to begin his career, but he’s recently settled into a starting role elsewhere. He started 15 of his 16 appearances for the Giants in 2021, and after starting the 2022 campaign on the Raiders’ practice squad, he started all 11 of his appearances for the Cardinals last year. Pro Football Focus didn’t love his performance in Arizona, grading him as the 35th center among 36 qualified players.

Forristall was a two-time champion at Alabama before going undrafted in 2021. He got into six games with the Browns between the 2021 and 2022 seasons, with the majority of his snaps coming on special teams. He signed a reserve/futures contract with the Saints back in January. With Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau, and Taysom Hill leading the tight ends depth chart, Forristall’s best chance of making the Saints roster will likely come via special teams.

Darren Waller Injuries Led Raiders To Pursue Trade; Team Tried To Re-Sign Foster Moreau

July 13th, 2023 at 5:25pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the Raiders attempted to regroup after their 2019 Antonio Brown trade netted them zero game appearances from the mercurial talent, a Darren Waller flier paid considerable dividends. Waller anchored multiple Raiders passing attacks, leading to two contract extensions.

The second of those came just before last season, when Waller hired Drew Rosenhaus to hammer out a three-year, $51MM deal that was finalized just before Week 1. However, Waller ended up missing more time due to injury last season. As the 2023 league year began, the Raiders traded Waller to the Giants for a third-round compensatory pick — the same choice the Chiefs sent over for Kadarius Toney last year.

It is not especially common to see teams bail on players months after authorizing extensions, and while rumors about off-field issues cropped up, Adam Caplan of ProFootballNetwork.com notes the Raiders are believed to have grown concerned about Waller’s mounting injury trouble. Some Raiders staffers viewed the injury trouble as a big enough issue to explore the trade, per Caplan. Trade talks with the Packers even occurred before last year’s deadline.

Waller, 30, has missed 14 games over the past two seasons. Last year, hamstring trouble led to eight absences. Waller missed three games before being placed on IR, ensuring he would be sidelined for at least four more. The nagging issue ended up taking two months of game action off Waller’s schedule, and his extended absence led to some in-house frustration. While the veteran tight end returned in mid-December and played the final four Raiders games, the team still decided to accept the Giants’ offer and move on after four-plus years.

The Raiders initially signed Waller off the Ravens’ practice squad late during the 2018 season. In 2019, the converted wide receiver who nearly saw substance-abuse issues lead him out of the NFL posted a 1,145-yard receiving season. A year later, Waller accumulated 1,196 yards and eight touchdowns. In 2021, however, ankle trouble affected Waller during training camp and then recurred in-season. An IT band injury sustained during the Raiders’ Thanksgiving win over the Cowboys later cost Waller four games.

Lacking the receiving talent the Raiders currently possess, the Giants will count on Waller shaking off his injury problems. Waller’s contract, which the Giants restructured soon after acquiring him, runs through 2025. Although the restructure makes a future cut slightly more expensive, the Giants can move on from Waller and take only a $2.5MM dead-money hit by designating him as a post-June 1 cut in 2024. While the team did trade a third-round pick for the accomplished pass catcher — one of just eight tight ends to ever record two 1,100-yard receiving seasons — the Giants can move on rather cheaply despite Waller securing a position-leading AAV from the Raiders last September.

Waller’s injuries led to increased Foster Moreau time. The former fourth-round pick was not a notable part of the Raiders’ passing attack in 2019 or 2020, but as Waller became increasingly unavailable, the team needed its backup more. Moreau combined for 63 receptions, 793 yards and five touchdown receptions over the past two years. The Raiders attempted to re-sign Moreau, Caplan adds, but ended up going with a combination of UFA addition Austin Hooper and second-round pick Michael Mayer.

Moreau also saw a cancer diagnosis hijack his free agency. The Bengals hosted the fifth-year player on a visit, but a subsequent Saints meeting led to a Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis. But Moreau is now in remission and signed to a three-year, $12.23MM Saints contract. As the Raiders turn the page at tight end and quarterback, the LSU alum and New Orleans native will play for his hometown team and keeping working with Derek Carr.

Foster Moreau’s Cancer In Full Remission

July 3rd, 2023 at 10:10pm CST by Ely Allen

It’s been a rollercoaster offseason for Saints tight end Foster Moreau. Since being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a type of blood and immune system cancer, back in March, Moreau has been excelling through free agency and spring activities while overcoming a serious illness. Nearly four months after his diagnosis, the four-year veteran has announced that his cancer is now “in full remission.”

Moreau’s cancer was discovered on a free agent visit with his hometown Saints. The team’s physician discovered an enlarged lymph node, leading to the tight end’s diagnosis. As he received further advice, he was informed that he had a rare, but treatable, form of the cancer and set to work on beating it.

By May, Moreau had received medical clearance to play football. There was no longer a reason to slow-play his free agency as the most current diagnoses at the time forecasted no limitations upon his return to the field. As a result, New Orleans made good on his visit and signed Moreau to a three-year, $12MM deal. Moreau was a full participant in voluntary offseason practices after signing his deal, giving him a strong chance to compete for snaps in a deep tight ends room that includes Juwan Johnson, Taysom Hill, and Jesse James.

After what could have been a career-ending diagnosis, Moreau has gone through a full recovery in the offseason and should be able to play in 2023. He may even make a bid to become the first Comeback Player of the Year candidate to not miss a single game.

Saints Rumors: Miller, Moreau, Saldiveri

May 21st, 2023 at 9:07pm CST by Ely Allen

One of three star offensive players for the Horned Frogs last year, new Saints rookie running back Kendre Miller was unable to finish the season with his fellow stars, quarterback Max Duggan and wide receiver Quentin Johnston, after suffering a knee injury in the team’s semifinal win over Michigan. Despite needing surgery to correct the knee injury, Miller expects to be 100 percent healthy by camp, according to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football.

Miller was dominant during his final season in Fort Worth, racking up 1,399 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. The game against the Wolverines that saw him leave early was the only contest of the season in which he failed to cross the goal line. His absence in TCU’s season finale against Georgia likely contributed to the team’s embarrassing championship loss.

Miller’s MCL was only injured and not torn, but the knee requiring surgery was a note of concern as it held him out of any pre-draft workouts. Luckily, it appears that the ailment won’t preclude him from getting some preseason work with his teammates in New Orleans. It’s not as if it matters too much, though, since Miller is set to join a loaded Saints running backs room.

Miller won’t be required to be an immediate contributor as Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams put New Orleans in a stellar situation to start the year. With Kamara and Williams both under contract through 2025, the Saints have an embarrassment of riches and will have plenty of time to allow Miller to develop without working too much tread off of his tires.

Here are a few more rumors coming out of NOLA:

Nearly two weeks ago, the Saints added former Raiders tight end Foster Moreau, rejoining him with quarterback Derek Carr in New Orleans. Thanks to ESPN’s Field Yates, we now have a few more details on the new deal. The three-year, $12.23MM contract has a guaranteed amount of $8.02MM consisting of a $3.5MM signing bonus, Moreau’s 2023 base salary of $1.1MM, and his 2024 base salary of $3.42MM. Thanks to two void years tacked on to the end of the deal, Moreau’s cap hit in 2023 will only be $1.8MM. In the final two years of the deal, Moreau will receive a per game active roster bonus of $16,470 for a potential season total of $280K. The team also built in a potential out after the 2024 season that will allow them to avoid $8.3MM in cap hit while taking on no dead cap.
The Saints were able to sign fourth-round offensive tackle Nick Saldiveri to his four-year rookie contract a little over a week ago. An interesting detail about the signing is apparent in the deal’s value. As the top pick of the fourth round, Saldiveri already was set for an impressive contract. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, though, the team ended up giving him a deal worth $63K more than the amount designated for that draft slot.
New Orleans made an addition to its player personnel staff this week, promoting Tosan Eyetsemitan to the role of pro scout, according to Neil Stratton of SucceedinFootball.com. Eyetsemitan served previously in the role of football administration associate. This will be his third year with the Saints after four years in Cleveland.

Saints TE Foster Moreau Could Participate In OTAs

May 14th, 2023 at 2:02pm CST by Adam La Rose

Foster Moreau‘s return to football took an unexpected and encouraging step when he inked a deal with the Saints. That move suggests the veteran tight end will be able to suit up by the fall, but he could be on the field much sooner than that point.

Moreau – who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma earlier this offseason – could take part in OTAs in New Orleans, per ESPN’s Katherine Terrell. That would represent another surprising development, considering the 26-year-old is still receiving treatment at this time. Head coach Dennis Allen confirmed that Moreau’s prognosis has remained “extremely positive,” opening the door to his quick return to the field.

The latter signed a three-year, $12MM pact to continue playing with quarterback Derek Carr after the pair spent time together with the Raiders. Moreau received $8MM guaranteed, illustrating the Saints’ confidence that he can recover in full and play a large part in the team’s passing attack. Moreau will compete with Juwan Johnson for snaps and targets in what is now a Carr-led offense.

The Saints created a vacancy in the TE room by trading Adam Trautman to the Broncos. After that deal was complete, New Orleans – one of the teams which hosted Moreau on a free agent visit – circled back to the latter to work out a deal knowing his absence from football was expected to be temporary.

“I think we knew that he was going to be cleared to participate and we felt like we were a destination that he was certainly interested in,” Allen said, via Terrell. “And so soon as the draft was over we had some communication. I will say that we knew where we were looking and it was just a matter of trying to get something done.”

New Orleans will begin OTAs on May 23, which will be the first point at which Moreau could practice with his new team. To no surprise, Allen insisted that the team will remain cautious in their approach with the LSU product, but his latest remarks point further to a quick recovery on Moreau’s part not long after what could have been a career-ending diagnosis.

Saints Sign TE Foster Moreau

May 10th, 2023 at 10:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

Foster Moreau‘s Saints visit revealed a concerning health matter for the tight end, but barely a month after his cancer diagnosis, the veteran tight end looks set to resume his career. He is signing with the Saints, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).

The Saints are giving Moreau a three-year, $12MM deal, per Fowler, who adds the contract also includes $3MM in incentives. This represents a remarkable comeback for the former Raiders tight end, whose career encountered a brief hiatus after the Hodgkin’s lymphoma discovery earlier this year. The deal includes $8MM fully guaranteed, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter adds (on Twitter).

Moreau’s trip to New Orleans for a free agency meeting in March led to the Hodgkin’s lymphoma finding — revealed during a routine physical — and the four-year veteran stepped away from football as a result. Last month, Moreau said the cancer had spread from its initial location but still indicated positive momentum. Given the timeframe between Moreau’s cancer discovery and this agreement, this marks a stunning turnaround for the former fourth-round pick.

Moreau, who turned 26 last week, has indeed received clearance and expects to play in 2023, Schefter tweets. He is still receiving treatment, according to NewOrleans.football’s Nick Underhill, who adds the free agency addition will be brought along slowly. But Moreau received a positive diagnosis and is not expected to have limitations upon return (Twitter link).

This will present a homecoming for Moreau, a New Orleans native who caught teams’ attention while playing at LSU, and a reunion with Derek Carr. In between Moreau’s cancer being found and this signing, the Saints traded former third-round pick Adam Trautman to the Broncos. The fourth-year veteran had requested the move. Moreau will join the recently extended Juwan Johnson in the Saints’ tight end room.

Darren Waller served as the Raiders’ starting tight end throughout Moreau’s time with the team, but the younger pass catcher became needed as Waller injuries piled up over the past two seasons. Moreau combined to catch 63 passes for 793 yards and five touchdowns over the past two seasons, stepping in as Waller missed extensive time in that span. Moreau made 34 starts during his Raiders tenure. Pro Football Focus also graded Moreau as a top-15 pass blocker — among tight ends — last season.

Also meeting with the Bengals before his cancer became known, Moreau will join a Saints team that is largely running it back at the pass-catching positions. The team re-signed Michael Thomas and extended Johnson. New Orleans still rosters Tre’Quan Smith and returns Rashid Shaheed as a Chris Olave complement. The team drafted wideout A.T. Perry with the pick obtained in the Trautman deal and signed ex-Raiders receiver Bryan Edwards. This Moreau signing, however, represents the team’s biggest outside addition at a pass-catching spot this offseason.

Latest On TE Foster Moreau

April 22nd, 2023 at 7:46pm CST by Adam La Rose

Free agent Foster Moreau‘s future both on and off the field took a dramatic turn when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The tight end recently addressed his situation, including an update on his prognosis and his mindset for recovery.

“It’s at stage 2, so it’s spread from the initial location,” the 25-year-old said, during an appearance on Good Morning America. “But it appears to be a slow spread and we should be able to get rid of all of it.”

Moreau’s cancer was discovered during a visit with the Saints, one of the teams which hosted him as a potential free agent signing. After it was confirmed that he would be facing a lengthy recovery process, he made the decision to push pause on his football career. The former fourth-rounder had known suitors in New Orleans and Cincinnati as he was searching for his next NFL home.

Moreau spent the first four years of his career with the Raiders, starting 34 of 61 games. He was behind Darren Waller on the depth chart, but the latter’s injury troubles allowed Moreau to see considerable playing time in the last two years in particular. He posted career highs in receptions (33) and yards (420) in 2022, which gave him appeal on the open market.

A deal with the Saints would have allowed the LSU product to continue playing with quarterback Derek Carr and given the team at least high-end depth option at the position in the process. Instead, they will likely move forward with in-house options (including the recently re-signed Juwan Johnson) and consider their options in the draft, which will offer a number of celebrated prospects. In the meantime, Moreau is acutely aware of the challenge he faces, and the effort which will be required to become cancer-free.

There’s no other way to look at it, right? So I’m preparing for my opponent, right? Hodgkin’s lymphoma, chemotherapy, I’m preparing for being on an IV, for six, seven, eight hours. Whatever it takes, right? Because I mean, there’s no other option.”

Foster Moreau Stepping Away From Football

March 22nd, 2023 at 7:01pm CST by Ely Allen

Former Raiders tight end Foster Moreau has made the decision to step away from the game of football for the time being, according to the 25-year-old’s Twitter account. As a free agent, Moreau has been visiting NFL franchises in search of his next home, meeting with the Bengals last week.

During Moreau’s most recent visit in New Orleans, the Saints medical staff discovered that Moreau currently has Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a type of blood and immune system cancer. The Saints have now twice uncovered serious medical issues in routine physicals, the first dating back to 2017 when the team uncovered an aortic aneurysm in long snapper Jon Dorenbos.

Since 2018, we’ve seen players like Andre Hal, James Conner, and Eric Berry suffer from the same ailment. Hal was able to return to the field in the same year as his diagnosis, but he retired at the young age of 26. Berry and Conner both returned to have extended careers in the NFL after overcoming the cancer, with Conner still playing football to this day.

The Raiders drafted Moreau in the 2019 fourth round, and he played a sidekick role to Darren Waller during much of his career. Over the past two seasons, as Waller’s injuries piled up, Moreau became a regular pass-catching presence for the team. During the 2021 Raiders squad’s late-season run to the playoffs, Moreau hit or topped 50 receiving yards in three of the team’s final four games to help secure the unexpected postseason berth. He established new career-high marks in receptions (33) and yards (420), as he filled in for Waller in 2022.

Moreau’s free agency will be put on hold for now. The four-year veteran has the best wishes of PFR and our staff.

Bengals Meet With TE Foster Moreau

March 18th, 2023 at 10:32am CST by Sam Robinson

For the second straight offseason, the Bengals let their starting tight end walk in free agency. After C.J. Uzomah left for a Jets deal in 2022, Hayden Hurst joined the Panthers earlier this week.

Cincinnati’s search for a new first-string tight end led to a visit with former Darren Waller backup Foster Moreau. The four-year veteran met with Bengals brass, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Moreau, 25, has played regularly for the Raiders due to Waller’s injuries over the past two seasons.

The Raiders trading Waller to the Giants (for a third-round pick) this week leaves them in need at the position. The Raiders having already extended Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow, to go along with Josh Jacobs‘ franchise tag and Jakobi Meyers‘ $11MM-per-year free agency agreement, likely will put them on the hunt for a low-cost veteran to potentially pair with a draft pick.

The Raiders have only Jesper Horsted and 2022 UDFA Cole Fotheringham on the roster at tight end. Moreau led Raiders tight ends with 33 receptions for 420 yards last season, when Waller’s lingering hamstring injury sidelined him for eight games. Moreau caught 30 passes for 373 yards in 2021, a season in which Waller missed six games.

The Bengals non-tendered Mitchell Wilcox as a restricted free agent last week, and 2019 second-round pick Drew Sample is also a free agent. Hurst, who signed a one-year deal with the team in 2022, joined the Panthers on a three-year deal worth $21.75MM ($13MM fully guaranteed) on Wednesday. As a result, the Bengals will likely add multiple tight ends to their equation this offseason.

A 2019 fourth-round pick out of LSU, Moreau joins Dalton Schultz and a few other notable names at the tight end spot in free agency. Following the Bears’ Thursday addition of ex-Packer Robert Tonyan, Friday brought more movement on the tight end market. The Patriots added Mike Gesicki, while the Browns signed Jordan Akins. The Chargers also brought back Donald Parham. These moves thinned the market, but Austin Hooper, Cameron Brate, Kyle Rudolph and Irv Smith Jr.. join Schultz in free agency.

Raiders’ Foster Moreau Done For Year

December 9th, 2019 at 4:10pm CST by Zachary Links

Foster Moreau‘s season is over. On Monday, head coach Jon Gruden announced that the fourth-round tight end will not play again in 2019.

Moreau exited Sunday’s game against the Titans with a knee injury, and it’s serious enough to rule him out for the rest of the slate. Before the injury, Moreau hauled in three passes for 14 yards, including his fifth touchdown reception of the year. In total, he finishes out with those five TDs, plus 21 catches for 174 hard-fought yards.

Moreau didn’t have a gaudy stat line as a rookie, but he did develop a strong rapport with Derek Carr, who gave him more and more red zone looks as the year went on. He’ll look to build off of that in 2020, when it really counts – the Raiders are, for all intents and purposes, out of playoff consideration. Their 6-7 record means that they’ll need more than just one Christmas miracle to qualify, even if they run the table.

The Raiders – sans Moreau – will face the Chargers in Week 16. On the plus side, they might have rookie receiver Hunter Renfrow back in action.

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