The New Orleans Saints made a huge splash on the first day of NFL free agency, and one name in particular has Bobby Hebert strolling down memory lane.
That's because the Saints agreed to terms on a lucrative free agent deal with RB Travis Etienne, meaning the Jennings native will get a similar Louisiana homecoming as the Cajun Cannon had during his playing career. It also mirrors similar homecomings that we've seen with WR Jarvis Landry, TE Foster Moreau and safeties Tyrann Mathieu and Justin Reid in recent years.
"You know what’s awesome? … Coming back home. There ain’t nothing like Louisiana," Hebert said. "I know that’s the way I was, raised 50 miles south of New Orleans and you’re not just playing for yourself and your family, you are truly, I felt this way and I think a number of Louisiana players do because of how we appreciate high school football, Friday night lights, that you’re playing for the community, so I think Travis Etienne, I think he’s going to bring it."
Hear the full breakdown from Bobby Hebert in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.
But while familiarity brings excitement, it also brings pressure. That hits even harder when the compensation is high, which is certainly the case for Etienne. The player has reportedly agreed to a 4 year, $52 million deal, though that contract can't be finalized until the start of the new league year on March 11. That average of $13 million per season will rank No. 5 among RBs, just behind Kenneth Walker III who signed earlier in the day with the Chiefs.
The Saints will be hoping that Etienne's production will match what he was able to find in Jacksonville, where he rolled up 1,000-yard rushing seasons in three of his four seasons to go along with 168 receptions for 1,338 yards. He's also been a prolific scorer, averaging eight touchdowns per season. The Saints have not had a 1,000-yard rusher since Mark Ingram in 2019.
To me, every NFL team should have a 1,000 yard running back," Hebert continued. "You play 17 games. Somebody on your team should be able to have 1,000 yards rushing."
But Etienne is only one piece of that puzzle, and the Saints were busy adding more throughout the day. Along with Etienne the Saints signed:
- G David Edwards (formerly with Bills), 4 years, $61M
- TE Noah Fant (formerly with Bengals), 2 years, value n/a
- P Ryan Wright (formerly with Vikings), 4 years, $14M
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Edwards is the biggest get of this free agency haul for the Saints, rated by many as the top guard on the market and at a clear position of need for New Orleans.
“Look at the left side of the line now, with Banks and now David Edwards. Who is the weak link, Cesar Ruiz? Come on Ruiz, you’re a first round draft pick, you’ve got to step up. Erik McCoy’s got to stay healthy," Hebert continued. "So we’ve got to get back to the offensive line when the Saints were always a top five offense if not top three, everyone looks at the skill people and like, you’ve got a hall of famer Drew Brees, I’m telling you, the offensive line kicked ass. ... I'd like to know if any member of the Who Date Nation is not pleased with what the Saints have done."
If there is any disappointment, it would be in the departures. Team leader and highly productive linebacker Demario Davis will be departing to the New York Jets in free agency, having agreed to a 2-year, $22 million deal. CB Alontae Taylor also inked a big-money deal with the Titans, a 3-year, $60 million contract. Both deals were well above the range the Saints were expected to be in to retain those players. The biggest Saints name remaining on the market is Cam Jordan, who is experiencing free agency for the first time in his 15 NFL seasons.
"Now who’s going to be that team leader. … Pete Werner, I don’t know if he has that personality," Hebert said. "Is it [Danny] Stutsman? Who is going to be that voice on defense now?"
The Saints likely aren't done in free agency. Time will tell.