The New Orleans Saints have been more active during the first couple waves of NFL free agency than many folks expected beforehand. The salary cap gurus on social media misstepped in their projections - again.
Regardless, one of their biggest moves was bringing back tight end Juwan Johnson on a sizable three-year extension. The $10 million yearly average is a hefty price, but New Orleans clearly valued their emerging TE under new head coach Kellen Moore.
Along with Johnson's return, the Saints also signed veteran depth TE Jack Stoll. He played for Moore with the Philadelphia Eagles last season.
Saints probably won't sign another tight end
With this two moves, you can probably close the book on the TE position when it comes to free agency.
Before free agency began, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis noted that they planned to sign to players at the position. If you include brining back Johnson, they've accomplished that goal already.
I would also be surprised to see a tight end selected by the Saints in round one or two at this point. If you wanted to use that premium draft capital at the position, I do not think re-signing Johnson would have been such a priority for the front office and staff in New Orleans.
Plus, Johnson also noted that the Saints were the team that did not lowball him in the free agency process.
Johnson felt valued by New Orleans with their offer, and that was important to him. That makes total sense. Kellen Moore seemingly sealed the deal to convince him to come back, too.
Regardless, with his return and the Stoll signing, we can probably look elsewhere for any more FA additions for Moore's offense.
