The New Orleans Saints have gone back to a familiar source for their first addition of the 2024 free agency period.
The Saints have agreed to terms with former Kansas City Chiefs safety Willie Gay, according to a report from Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. The deal was reported as being for 1 year and worth a maximum of $5 million.
The move is the second free agent signing for the Saints this offseason along with fullback Zander Horvath, but the first since the start of the legal tampering period on Monday. Free agent deals don't become official until the start of the new league year on March 13.
Gay joins a Saints roster that will now feature four former Chiefs and Super Bowl champions, all on defense. That group includes safety Tyrann Mathieu, defensive tackle Khalen Saunders and defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon. Gay appeared in 16 regular season and 3 playoff games last year for Kansas City, rolling up 58 tackles and a sack and working at all three linebacker positions.
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Linebacker became a position of need for the Saints with Zack Baun's departure to the Eagles. Another contributor from a season ago was Nephi Sewell, who is coming off of a significant knee injury. Gay will now be part of a formidable linebacker trio along with Pete Werner and Demario Davis, whom the Saints inked to an extension earlier this week.
The slow start to Saints free agency has only applied to players entering the building, however. Along with Baun, other Saints to find new homes are QB Jameis Winston (Browns), DT Malcolm Roach (Broncos) and S Lonnie Johnson Jr., Texans.