Well, it looks like J.T. Gray didn't have to wait for long. Following his release by the New Orleans Saints on Monday, the special teams ace has a new team just two days later. No one, not even Kellen Moore, thought Gray would be out of work long. However, he didn't reunite with Sean Payton with the Denver Broncos like many thought. Gray signed a deal with the Baltimore Ravens, per Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz.
Gray's release came as a surprise to many, including former Saint Tyrann Mathieu, who took to social media asking how and why the former team captain would be released. Former Saints punter Thomas Morstead also took to social media. "JT, such an awesome teammate and as professional as it gets. Earned everything! Whatever team gets this guy will be fortunate."
First-year head coach Kellen Moore called the move one of the hardest they've had to make this year. "He's a really good player. He's done a lot of good things here. It was a really challenging decision we had to make."
J.T Gray defies expectations by not reuniting with Sean Payton
The natural progression for Gray seemed to go where all former Saints go, Colorado. The team is obviously led by Sean Payton, but another layer is the familiarity with new Broncos special teams coordinator, Darren Rizzi. It was so obvious that it felt like a foregone conclusion, but you know what they say about assuming.
Though Gray isn't going to Denver, it's hard to imagine Payton didn't at least put in a call or send an offer to Gray's agent. Gray played under Payton for three seasons after signing with the Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He managed to quickly prove he was a diamond in the rough, making the Pro Bowl and two All-Pro teams in the four years Payton was at the helm.
Gray hasn't slowed down in the years since. Last year, he led the NFL in special teams tackles, with 26. Over his years with the Saints, Gray would play in nearly 100 games in black and gold (98, to be exact). In that time, he has gathered 103 tackles, two quarterback hits, and two blocked punts.
With the Saints in a pseudo-rebuilding mode, they didn't have space on the roster for a player like Gray. Joining the Ravens may have to do with their Super Bowl window. The Broncos have a talented team and roster, but the Ravens have them beat in that capacity.