Emmanuel Sanders signed with the Saints over the Cowboys and Packers
The New Orleans Saints made a splash free agency signing when they landed former Super Bowl champion Emmanuel Sanders.
There’s no denying the New Orleans Saints needed help on the edge. Michael Thomas accounted for the most receptions in a single season by a single player in league history this past season. It was obvious something had to be done.
Entering the offseason, the Saints were relatively low on cap space.
They needed to free up space, and one way they did that was by re-signing Drew Brees but not giving him too much on his base salary for this upcoming season. He also took a discount to play another season in New Orleans.
That gave the Saints ample room to sign Sanders. Sanders signed a two-year deal, and he’ll be joining a group of receivers that desperately needed the depth. Thankfully, he chose the Saints over teams like the Packers and Cowboys.
With quarterbacks and organizations just as elite as New Orleans looking to add Sanders, it’s a huge compliment that he wanted to join Brees and Thomas on the Sean Payton-led Saints. The report of the rival interest was put out by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Emmanuel Sanders had appealing NFC options. Sanders spoke with the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers, but preferred to wind up with the New Orleans Saints, where he land d a two-year, $16 million deal worth up to $19 million.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 21, 2020
Sanders, who spent time with Denver, Pittsburgh, and San Francisco, notched over 850 yards last season. At his peak, Sanders was a Pro-Bowl caliber player that totaled over 1,400 yards during his first season with Peyton Manning’s Broncos.
His assistance in the Saints offense can not be stressed enough.
Tre’Quan Smith, Ted Ginn Jr., and Keith Kirkwood were just not getting the job done on the opposite side of Thomas. While Smith will remain on the team, Ginn Jr. and Kirkwood, who has already signed with the Panthers, seemingly won’t return.
Sanders, who joined the 49ers midseason, costing a few mid-round picks, helped bolster their offense.
They made the Super Bowl, a game Sanders managed just three receptions and five targets in. He did secure over 500 yards in just nine regular-season starts with the 49ers and still has plenty left in the tank.
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Sanders will be a welcome addition in the Big Easy.