5 former New Orleans Saints who could return for 2022 season

The New Orleans Saints could look at former players to add to their team in free agency. If they do, here are five former Saints that make sense to return to the Big Easy. 

It’s not uncommon for players to return to teams they once played for whether it’s because they enjoyed their time there or that no better offers were on the table.

One player on this list hasn’t donned the black and gold in nearly a decade but a reunion and one final shot at glory could make sense for him. Another was cut a year ago to clear up cap space. One was a nice depth piece who took his talents elsewhere when he hit the free-agent market. The other two are quarterbacks with positive roots to the Saints.

Let’s kick this thing off with the player who was cut by the team a year ago but is a free agent and could rejoin the NOLA Saints.

5. Emmanuel Sanders

It made a lot of sense when the Saints signed Emmanuel Sanders in the 2020 offseason. Pairing him with Michael Thomas felt like a grand idea in what ended up being Drew Brees’ final season as the quarterback in the Big Easy.

Sanders had a solid season in 2020, grabbing 61 receptions for 726 yards and five touchdowns but he was a cap casualty last offseason. The team needed the money but not having Sanders definitely hurt the wide receiver room last season, as Thomas never played a snap and Marquez Callaway was the team’s best player. They could still use a wide receiver for 2022.

At this point in his career, Sanders isn’t going to land a massive deal but he showed in Buffalo last year that he can still get the job done (42 catches for 626 yards). Sanders probably is more interested in joining a contender as he nears the end of his career but if there’s any interest in returning to New Orleans, the Saints would love to have him.