Saints players react to New Orleans’ plan to add a Super-Bowl winning defender

The New Orleans Saints were relatively quiet during the legal tampering period, but Tuesday evening, New Orleans agreed to terms with a free agent, and the planned signing has Saints players excited. Mike Garafolo reported that the Saints have agreed to terms with former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay. According to Garafolo, Gay will be signing a one-year deal worth up to $5 million with New Orleans.

It’s important to note that Willie Gay isn’t officially a Saint yet, as free agents can’t sign with new teams during the legal tampering period. While teams can negotiate and agree to deals with free agents, the ink can’t be put to paper until free agency officially starts on Wednesday, March 13 at 4 p.m. ET.

Saints agree to terms with linebacker Willie Gay

While the deal isn’t official official, it is social media official, and that’s what matters in 2024, right? Gay posted a GIF of Louisiana rapper NBA YoungBoy to Twitter with the caption, “Let’s Do It #WHODAT,” showing that he’s ready to get rolling with New Orleans. His new teammates are ready to welcome him as well.

Saints defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, who played with Gay on the Chiefs, expressed his excitement to be reunited, telling Gay it’s time to go get their third Super Bowl together. Saunders then posted a dancing GIF, telling Willie Gay to meet him on Bourbon street expeditiously.

Saints players are excited to add Willie Gay

Defensive lineman Cam Jordan, who was seemingly waiting on a move to be made like all fans, was excited to finally see New Orleans join the free agency party. He and Gay will now help the Saints defense bounce back as New Orleans tries to find its way back to the playoffs.

Gay, who was drafted in the second round of the 2020 Draft out of Mississippi State by the Chiefs, is no stranger to the playoffs or big games. During his four years in Kansas City, he played in 57 regular season games, starting 47. In those games, he recorded 233 tackles, 17 for a loss, five sacks, and four interceptions.

The Saints are getting a starting caliber linebacker to add to the room with Demario Davis and Pete Werner. This gives New Orleans some much needed linebacker depth, and also a possible replacement for Demario Davis, whose career is nearing an end. Although Gay’s deal is just for a year, getting him in the building and establishing a rapport could lead to an eventual long-term contract if things go well.

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