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New Orleans Saints News & Rumors

Saints Sign WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling

October 24th, 2024 at 9:43am CST by Ben Levine

OCTOBER 24: To little surprise, Valdes-Scantling accepted a one-year deal for the veteran minimum ($1.13MM) to head to New Orleans. ESPN’s Katherine Terrell notes he will carry a cap charge of $688K for 2024 as he looks to boost his free agent stock.

OCTOBER 21: Marquez Valdes-Scantling has found his next gig. The veteran wideout is signing with the Saints, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport.

[RELATED: WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling To Visit Saints]

The receiver worked out for the organization earlier today. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Valdes-Scantling also received interest from the Colts, Commanders, and “other” squads. Ultimately, he landed a job in New Orleans.

Following a two-year stint with the Chiefs, the former Packers draft pick caught on with the Bills this past offseason. Valdes-Scantling got into each of Buffalo’s first six games, hauling in only a pair of catches despite getting into close to 40 percent of the team’s offensive snaps. Following the Bills’ acquisition of Amari Cooper last week, MVS was cut loose, allowing him to resume his career elsewhere.

He’ll now land in New Orleans, where he could quickly see a role in the WR-needy offense. Chris Olave missed yesterday’s game as he continues to recover from a concussion, and the team recently lost wideout Rashid Shaheed to season-ending meniscus surgery. Considering the team’s dwindling depth, it’s no surprise that they were involved in the Davante Adams sweepstakes prior to the Jets-Raiders trade. The organization has also been connected to Mike Williams, whom Gang Green is seeking to move now that it has landed Adams.

MVS has never been confused for a WR1, but the veteran should provide the Saints with a steady presence in their receivers room. The wideout collected 687 receiving yards as recently as 2022, and he topped 400 receiving yards in each of his four seasons with the Packers. Of course, his 2023 campaign left a bit to be desired, as he set new career-lows in receptions (21) and receiving yards (315).

Still, as mentioned, the Saints will take what they can get. During Thursday’s loss to the Broncos, the team was forced to rely on the likes of Bub Means, Mason Tipton, and Cedrick Wilson Jr. to lead their WR grouping. Even when Olave returns to the field, MVS should be able to carve out a role with the Saints.

Saints Reach Extension With Alvin Kamara

October 22nd, 2024 at 9:50pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Saints and five-time Pro Bowl running back Alvin Kamara are in agreement on a two-year, $24.5MM contract extension, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

Kamara was under contract for one more year, but the Saints were not expected to carry his non-guaranteed $22.4MM salary in 2025. Kamara’s new deal will lower his cap hit in 2025 by $18MM, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, and keep him in New Orleans through the 2026 season, giving Kamara a chance at retiring a Saint.

More than $22MM of his new money is effectively fully guaranteed, according to Garafolo, though Kamara’s per-year average dropped from $15MM to $12.75MM from his first to his second extension. The former Sean Payton chess piece had agreed to a five-year, $75MM extension before the 2020 season; that contract had paid out its guarantees and resided as the longest-running active RB deal.

Kamara, 29, made his desire for a new deal clear over the summer when he left mandatory minicamp a day early, though he reported to training camp on time. He continued to negotiate with the Saints as the season approached, but the two sides appeared to be at an impasse in September, indicating that extension talks would continue in the offseason. The veteran running back even became the subject of trade rumors with New Orleans losing five straight games after opening the season 2-0.

Kamara’s extension will take him out of the trade market and solidify him as the Saints’ long-term running back, even as the team faces massive cap obstacles in the next few seasons. While other players like Marshon Lattimore may become too expensive to retain, New Orleans furthered its commitment to Kamara as the most proven and productive player on its offense — one in dire need of proven playmakers given the injuries at wide receiver.

The eight-year veteran was drafted by the Saints in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft and received Pro Bowl nods in each of his first four seasons. That earned Kamara the five-year, $75MM payday in 2020; that deal established him as the second-highest-paid running back in the league behind Christian McCaffrey. Kamara’s new APY will drop him to third behind Jonathan Taylor, though he remains ahead of Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs. In terms of guarantees at signing, Kamara has managed to make his way toward that list’s ceiling as well. His $22MM at signing trails only McCaffrey and Barkley.

Kamara’s extension is somewhat of a surprise after negotiations with the Saints appeared to fizzle during the preseason, with both sides focusing on the 2024 season ahead of them. However, Kamara has been New Orleans’ most consistent offensive player this year as several other playmakers – including quarterback Derek Carr and wide receiver Rashid Shaheed – have dealt with injuries behind a rotating offensive line. Kamara’s 145 touches lead the league, and he is averaging one touchdown and just under 100 yards from scrimmage per game.

Kamara accepted a pay cut from his last contract with the Saints in exchange for full guarantees on almost 90% of his new money, continuing a league trend of decreasing running back contracts as players sacrifice total earning potential for more security with guaranteed money. The Tennessee alum has done very well for himself, even as RB value has stagnated in the modern NFL. The guarantees on this third Saints contract will bump him past $70MM in career earnings.

With the Saints committing to Kamara, other NFL teams will now turn their attention to players like Lattimore and Carl Granderson as potential trade targets as New Orleans — having dropped from 2-0 to 2-5 — potentially looks to shed contracts to clear up future cap space.

Saints Place CB Paulson Adebo On IR

October 22nd, 2024 at 9:03pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Saints officially placed cornerback Paulson Adebo on injured reserve, ending his 2024 season after breaking his femur last week, per New Orleans.Football’s Nick Underhill.

Adebo was carted off early in the second quarter of New Orleans’ Week 7 loss to the Broncos on Thursday night, requiring season-ending surgery. The former second-round pick is expected to recover in time for training camp in 2025, though his status in a contract year means a potential free agency navigation while rehabbing from his injury.

Adebo’s injury is yet another setback for a Saints team that has dropped their last five games after starting the year 2-0. Leading receiver Rashid Shaheed is out for the season after meniscus surgery, and Pro Bowl center Erik McCoy has yet to return from injured reserve after hurting his groin in September.

Adebo was on pace for career-highs in tackles, interceptions, and passes defended before his injury. That will assist his case in free agency as he attempts to capitalize on a significant jump in the cornerback market this offseason. This is also the first major injury of his career, as Adebo played in 52 of the Saints’ 58 games since he was drafted, with 51 starts.

Second-round pick Kool-Aid McKinstry took over for Adebo against the Broncos and is expected to replace him in the starting lineup opposite Marshon Lattimore moving forward. With Alontae Taylor starting in the slot, the Saints only have one more cornerback on their active roster: undrafted rookie Rico Payton. In the short-term, Shemar Jean-Charles will likely be in line for elevations from the practice squad, and potentially a promotion to the active roster. New Orleans will need to find more cornerback depth for the rest of the year, especially if they move Lattimore, a potential trade target, at the deadline.

WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling To Visit Saints

October 20th, 2024 at 10:56am CST by Rory Parks

Despite speculation that he could be released prior to final roster cuts at the end of August, wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling cracked the Bills’ initial 53-man roster and appeared in each of the club’s first six games of the 2024 season. However, after Buffalo acquired Amari Cooper via trade last week, Valdes-Scantling received his walking papers.

The 30-year-old deep threat could quickly land on his feet. Per Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, Valdes-Scantling will fly to New Orleans tonight and will work out for the Saints tomorrow. The reporters suggest that a deal may come together quickly.

The Saints’ interest in Valdes-Scantling is unsurprising, as the club has been actively seeking to add to its receiver room and was also reported to have checked in on MVS this offseason. The club was heavily involved in the Davante Adams sweepstakes before the Raiders and Jets agreed to a deal sending Adams to New York, and New Orleans has also been connected to Mike Williams, whom Gang Green is seeking to move now that it has landed Adams. The Saints’ need for a WR has only intensified since Chris Olave is dealing with a concussion and since Rashid Shaheed was forced to undergo season-ending meniscus surgery.

Of course, it is highly unlikely that Valdes-Scantling will be the tonic the Saints really need. After winning the first two games of the current campaign, the team has lost five in a row, and quarterback Derek Carr – who sustained an oblique injury in Week 5 – may not be back until Week 9 or Week 10. The season is circling the drain, and while MVS may still be a viable complementary target, his presence alone will not save the team.

During the first few years of his career, Valdes-Scantling operated as a useful deep threat for the Aaron Rodgers-fronted Packers and even led the league with a 20.9 yards-per-reception average in 2020. He parlayed his success in Green Bay into a three-year, $30MM deal with the Chiefs in 2022, and while he recorded career-highs in targets (81) and catches (42) during his first season in Kansas City, his stock took a major hit last year.

MVS has had issues with drops throughout his career, though a particularly memorable drop in a loss to the Eagles in 2023 underscored a generally disappointing year in which he posted just 21 catches for 315 yards despite having Patrick Mahomes at quarterback and operating in an offense that was desperate for someone to step up at receiver. While Valdes-Scantling did play a major role in each of the Chiefs’ last two Super Bowl runs, it was not enough to avoid becoming a cap casualty in February.

As a member of the Bills this season, Valdes-Scantling has caught just two passes for 26 yards. Should he land with the Saints, he could theoretically establish a quick rapport with Spencer Rattler and/or Carr and create a market for himself next offseason, but at the moment, his signing would seem to represent little more than a Band-Aid for player and team alike.

Chargers, Saints, Steelers Inquire About Jets’ Mike Williams

October 19th, 2024 at 8:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

OCTOBER 19: For the time being, at least, talks between the Jets and Steelers about Williams are on hold. Negotiations will be paused until after the teams play each other tomorrow, ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Rich Cimini report. Depending on how that contest – which Williams is set to take part in – plays out, it will be interesting to see how Pittsburgh and New York proceed.

OCTOBER 17: For the second time this year, Mike Williams has generated trade discussions. Months after talks in March, he is not attached to a high-end contract a team is desperate to move. Though, the team that authorized Williams’ 2022 deal is back in on the suddenly available wide receiver.

The Chargers are among the teams to have inquired with the Jets on Williams, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, who reports the Saints and Steelers have reached out on the eighth-year veteran as well. Following their Davante Adams acquisition, the Jets are prepared to move on from Williams.

No move is expected this week, but ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler adds Williams would be open with being moved out of New York. Although he has not assimilated too well into the Jets’ Aaron Rodgers-orchestrated offense — to the point the four-time MVP was critical of his route on a late-game interception — enough teams are still in need at the position that a deal should be made eventually. The Jets have until Nov. 5 to move on via trade.

The Bolts dangled Williams in trades just before the 2024 league year began, attempting to move his $20MM-per-year contract to reach cap compliance. They ended up doing so via release, cutting the Clemson alum before trading Keenan Allen to the Bears. The Patriots were linked to Williams at the time, before becoming tied to a few other receivers, but it is not known if New England is back in on the former top-10 pick. Williams, 30, however, is generating interest from other clubs who have been linked to WRs this year.

Pittsburgh joined New England in the Brandon Aiyuk market, beating out other suitors in agreeing to trade framework with San Francisco. Although the Steelers waited out that situation for weeks, Aiyuk signed a 49ers extension. This left Pittsburgh thin at receiver, with no clear complement to George Pickens emerging through six games. Known more for trading wideouts for draft picks rather than acquiring them, the Steelers have been scouring the market since Aiyuk ultimately passed. Omar Khan‘s team, however, was in on Adams. Though, the three-year Raiders wideout had been more interested in reuniting with Rodgers or Derek Carr.

Lacking the cap space to take on Adams’ contract without significant payroll adjustments, the Saints ended up seeing the Jets do so. After starting 2-0, New Orleans has lost four straight. The team is also heading into its Thursday-night matchup with Denver down both its top pass catchers. Chris Olave is in concussion protocol, and Rashid Shaheed is undergoing an exploratory meniscus surgery that leaves the rest of his season in doubt. With HC Dennis Allen‘s job on the line and GM Mickey Loomis 0-for-7 in playoff appearances without Sean Payton (the first four misses coming during the Aaron Brooks years), it makes sense the Saints are looking into available wideouts.

Jim Harbaugh‘s new Bolts regime bailed on Williams, doing so as he was rehabbing a torn ACL. The 6-foot-4 playmaker had battled injuries in Los Angeles but was available enough to post two 1,000-yard seasons alongside Allen. The younger of Justin Herbert‘s two long-running targets, Williams also totaled 895 receiving yards in 13 games in 2022. A back injury sustained in a meaningless Week 18 game in Denver sidelined Williams for the Chargers’ wild-card game in Jacksonville, which turned into a historic collapse. He then suffered the ACL injury in Week 3 of last season.

Harbaugh’s squad looked into other veteran receivers following Allen and Williams’ exits, eventually drafting Ladd McConkey early in the second round. Herbert has gone from a high-octane passer to a carefully managed option in Greg Roman‘s run-oriented offense. A familiar face returning could jumpstart the standout quarterback, but it is unclear if the Bolts are prepared to pay the roughly $3MM remaining of Williams’ 2024 salary. The rest of Williams’ money on a one-year, $10MM Jets deal has either been paid out in salary or is tied up in void years that will create a bit of dead money if/when the wideout is traded.

Williams was listed as a non-practice participant for a personal reason Wednesday. This presumably pertains to his status on the trade block. The trade candidate did resurface at the Jets’ facility Thursday, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo tweets, though the veteran reporter adds Williams is again not practicing. This would point to the in-limbo receiver not playing in Week 7.

Before Williams slipped on the MetLife Stadium turf, leading to a crucial Taron Johnson INT, he had caught only 10 passes for 145 yards in six Jets games. He may well be done in a Jets uniform, but the team would technically still have the option of playing him after Adams debuts (which is expected this weekend). That said, it would surprise if Williams remained a Jet for too much longer.

NFL Injury Updates: Texans, Carr, Dean, Lowe

October 18th, 2024 at 7:20pm CST by Ely Allen

The Texans defense played without rookie starting cornerback Kamari Lassiter last weekend, and they may be without him for a bit longer. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, Lassiter is expected to miss a few more games due to the scapula injury he suffered against the Bills nearly two weeks ago.

Wilson emphasized that Lassiter is improving and that he is expected to make a full recovery with no surgery, but for now, he’s a ways off from returning to the field. Another defensive back who is expected to miss his second straight game is veteran safety Jimmie Ward, who sat out last week’s contest after aggravating a groin injury.

Lastly, undrafted rookie running back British Brooks, who was placed on injured reserve 10 days ago, has undergone successful knee surgery, per Wilson. The procedure to repair Brooks’ torn meniscus took place yesterday. He is expected to make a full recovery but isn’t expected to return this season. Brooks should be ready for organized team activities in the spring.

Here are a few more injury updates from around the NFL:

  • After a promising 2-0 start, the Saints‘ 2024 campaign has taken a slide with five straight losses, partially due to the injury and absence of quarterback Derek Carr. Well, it appears that Carr will be out at least one more week. Per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, Carr may be trying to come back by Week 8 to plays the Chargers, a team he’s very familiar with, but the team views the Week 9 trip to Carolina or the Week 10 matchup versus the Falcons as more likely return-dates for their quarterback. Head coach Dennis Allen echoed this sentiment, telling Matthew Paras of The Times-Picayune that he wasn’t sure whether or not Carr would play in Los Angeles but claiming that it was “very likely” that he’s back in time for the Panthers.
  • After leaving this past Sunday’s game in New Orleans early with a hamstring injury, Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean has not practiced this week. Greg Auman of FOX Sports believes that Dean is likely headed towards a multi-week absence. While a stint on IR may be in the cards, the Buccaneers haven’t gone that way just yet.
  • Patriots left tackle Vederian Lowe is another player who left this weekend’s games early. He underwent an MRI on Monday that confirmed the expected diagnosis of an ankle sprain. While Lowe has been downgraded to out for this weekend’s game in London, New England expects to see him back in the near future, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss.

Saints CB Paulson Adebo Undergoes Season-Ending Surgery

October 18th, 2024 at 9:45am CST by Adam La Rose

In addition to a lopsided loss, the Saints were dealt with a major blow on the injury front last night. Cornerback Paulson Adebo suffered a broken femur on Thursday, head coach Dennis Allen said.

[RELATED: Rashid Shaheed Out For Season After Meniscus Repair]

Adebo had an air cast placed on his right leg before being carted off the field. Not long after, the 25-year-old was taken to a nearby hospital. Adebo has since undergone surgery which will end his season, something which is particularly notable given his status as a pending free agent.

A recovery timeline of four to five months should be expected in this case, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. That means Adebo should be fully recovered well in time for the 2025 campaign, by which point he will have a new deal in place. It will be interesting to see how his injury affects his market value on a second New Orleans pact or one sending him to another team. In any event, the Saints’ secondary will be notably shorthanded for the remainder of the campaign.

A former third-round pick, Adebo has started each of his 51 games and (until now) he had avoided lengthy absences due to injury. He was held without an interception in 2022 after recording three as a rookie and before rebounding with four last year; in less than seven full contests in 2024, he managed to post another three picks. Those totals have been accompanied by 43 pass deflections (including 28 since the start of last season), a sign of Adebo’s ball skills.

After surrendering 11 touchdowns as the nearest defender during his first two seasons, the Stanford product improved considerably in coverage. While penalties were an issue this season, Adebo should figure to have a number of suitors if he reaches the open market this spring. While his attention turns to recover, New Orleans will move forward without a key starter on defense. Fellow first-team corner Marshon Latitmore exited the contest with a hamstring injury, and it remains to be seen how much further time (if any) he will miss. The former first-rounder has been the subject of trade speculation, but Allen confirmed Lattimore will remain in place for at least 2024.

With the Saints now sitting at 2-5 after winning their first two games, interest could of course pick up again with respect to veterans like Lattimore being available. In any case, a team already hit hard by injuries will need to contend with another season-long absence while attempting to end an ongoing losing streak.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/17/24

October 17th, 2024 at 6:58pm CST by Adam La Rose

Thursday’s minor moves:

Denver Broncos 

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Watson could be claimed off waivers by any teams seeking backfield depth. If that does not take place, though, he will become a free agent. Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette reports a mutual interest exists for team and player to reunite via a practice squad deal provided it is possible. Watson, an undrafted rookie, has made only one appearance to date so he should have a strong chance of passing through waivers unclaimed.

Saints’ Rashid Shaheed Undergoes Season-Ending Meniscus Surgery

October 17th, 2024 at 3:48pm CST by Adam La Rose

Rashid Shaheed will indeed be out for the remainder of the season. The Saints’ top vertical receiver underwent a full meniscus repair, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

When it was first learned Shaheed would undergo a procedure, it was not known if a meniscus trim or repair would be required. The outcome of his surgery would dictate his recovery timeline, and today’s update confirms a 2024 return will not be possible. Schefter adds Shaheed will be sidelined for four to six months.

Any missed time would be acutely felt in New Orleans’ offense given the 26-year-old’s importance to the team’s offense. Shaheed has averaged 17.5 yards per reception this year while also remaining an X-factor in the return game. Especially as Chris Olave misses Week 7 due to a concussion, the Saints will be highly limited in the passing game tonight.

Beyond their upcoming game against the Broncos, however, the Saints will miss Shaheed’s abilities as a deep threat. The former UDFA logged 14 combined starts during his first two years with the team, emerging as a legitimate No. 2 option along the way. He held that role through the opening six weeks of the current campaign, totaling 349 yards (a figure which leads the team) and three touchdowns on offense. Shaheed also leads the league in punt return average (15.9 yards) and he scored a touchdown in that department earlier in the year. New Orleans’ offense and special teams will be notably shorthanded moving forward.

As the Saints look to maintain their top-five ranking in scoring with rookie Spencer Rattler at quarterback for at least one more game, they will need to do so without a key contributor. Finding a way to replace Shaheed would of course also help in ending the team’s four-game losing streak and boost the chances of a playoff berth. Shaheed is under contract for 2025, the point at which he will next see game action.

Saints Place WR Rashid Shaheed On IR; Return This Season In Doubt

October 17th, 2024 at 3:12pm CST by Sam Robinson

OCTOBER 17: Shaheed was placed on injured reserve Thursday, per a team announcement. That move guarantees at least a four-game absence and does not offer an encouraging sign with respect to his late-season availability. Until the outcome of Shaheed’s surgery is clear, though, the Saints will remain hopeful he can return at some point in 2024.

OCTOBER 16: Already without Chris Olave, the Saints will head into their Thursday-night Broncos matchup with breakthrough wideout Rashid Shaheed sidelined as well. Shaheed will undergo knee surgery, sidelining him for the foreseeable future.

The downfield threat has a chance to come back this season, but that is not assured. The outcome of Shaheed’s meniscus surgery will determine if he misses a few weeks or the rest of the year, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. Losing Shaheed would be a tough blow to a New Orleans offense that has already played without multiple offensive linemen for stretches this season. Dealing with an oblique tear, Derek Carr is also set to miss a second game.

Dennis Allen subsequently announced that Shaheed will undergo an exploratory procedure that will determine if the third-year wideout will need a meniscus trim or a full repair, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport adds. A full repair would knock the recently extended receiver out for the season.

Averaging 17.5 yards per catch, Shaheed has continued his transition from UDFA to starter. Olave’s top sidekick has scored three long-range TDs and exited Week 6 with 20 receptions for 349 yards. Shaheed, last season’s first-team All-Pro punt returner, also returned a punt for a score for a second straight season. While Olave is the Saints’ top receiver investment, Shaheed currently leads the team in yardage.

The Saints did well to identify Shaheed out of Division I-FCS Montana State, bringing him in as part of their 2022 UDFA class. With Michael Thomas rarely available over the previous two seasons — and when he was, the former All-Pro displayed an injury-driven decline that presently has him out of the league — Shaheed stepped in to give the team an intriguing WR2 option. Last season, Shaheed totaled 719 yards and five TD receptions in 15 games. He then entered this year as a clear-cut New Orleans starter.

Shaheed, 26, signed an ERFA tender this offseason but later inked a one-year bump that calls for a $4.2MM base salary in 2025. This transaction prevented the Saints from needing to apply a second-round RFA tender on the Weber State alum next year. But the team now risks losing a blossoming player, continuing a tough stretch that followed an explosive 2-0 start.

The Saints will again deploy Spencer Rattler as their starting QB, but he will not have any reliable wideouts to target. The team cut 2023 draftee A.T. Perry, who is now on Denver’s practice squad. Beyond Shaheed and Olave, rookie Bub Means leads Saints WRs with five receptions for 45 yards.

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