New Orleans Saints re-sign D.J. Swearinger, bolster secondary

The New Orleans Saints are preparing for Vonn Bell to leave. They signed Malcolm Jenkins and now have re-signed D.J. Swearinger.

Yes, you read that correctly. The New Orleans Saints are bringing back D.J. Swearinger. The 5-foot-10, 28-year-old safety played just one game with the team last season and made a couple of tackles, also notching one pass deflection.

Prior to spending 2019 with three separate teams, Swearinger was the starting safety for the Washington Redskins, starting 31 games in two seasons. He racked up eight interceptions and over 130 tackles during those two seasons with the Redskins.

That said, the news regarding Swearinger’s signing was first reported by the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson.

The Saints may be looking to brace for a potential fall out with Vonn Bell.

After re-signing Drew Brees and David Onyemata, the Saints were even more cap-strapped, and then they went out and signed Emmanuel Sanders, a wide receiver from the NFC’s Super Bowl participant, the San Francisco 49ers.

The Saints are now even closer to the cap, and locking up their secondary for cheap has been of utmost importance. Janoris Jenkins and Mashon Lattimore will man the corners while Swearinger and Jenkins eye the quarterback and deep ball.

Let’s not get it wrong though. Vonn Bell is one of the better safeties in the league.

His tackling and ability to eye the quarterback have been impressive, and he took a huge step last season, forcing multiple fumbles. They would love to bring Bell back, but it won’t happen for a deal that around $6 million, or at least it seems unlikely.

That said, Swearinger’s re-signing is a bigger deal than many will make it out to be, and it gives the Saints much more ability to negotiate in contract talks with Bell. Regardless of Bell’s situation, it’s good to have Swearinger back in the Big Easy.