Saints: 3 offensive tackles to sign to fill in for Terron Armstead

3. Rick Wagner

Rick Wagner was released by the Green Bay Packers in February to free up cap space, and last we heard the 32-year-old was seriously contemplating retirement.

Ever consider playing for the Saints?

The eight-year veteran is coming off his best season since 2014. According to PFF, Wagner allowed only one sack and had zero penalties through 610 snaps last season, earning a 77.0 overall grade.

Sure doesn’t sound like his bones are too old for this league.

Wagner was originally signed by Green Bay to compete for the right tackle position, and while he eventually lost that competition, he started nine games and played 59 percent of offensive snaps.

Like Mitchell Schwartz, Wagner has played right tackle for his entire pro career from the Ravens to the Lions to the Packers. But he actually walked onto his college team as a tight end, so we know he’s versatile.

Playing for Green Bay in 2020 allowed Wagner to return to his home state, and that might be a fitting end to his career.

But for all the reasons Wagner should hang up his cleats, there’s a team (cough, the New Orleans Saints) calling his name and asking if he wants to give the game another go.

He’s already blocked for some of the best: Joe Flacco, Matthew Stafford, Aaron Rodgers. He’s already enjoyed a successful NFL career with 96 starts and a special homecoming in Wisconsin.

Wagner reportedly also chose Green Bay because it gave him a chance at playing for a championship, so there’s some winning mentality in him yet.

We’ll admit the New Orleans Saints aren’t exactly favorites to win the Super Bowl, but hey, it’s a very respectable franchise still very much in the business of churning out champions. Joining the Saints’ offensive line could be the toughest but most rewarding challenge of Wagner’s career.