There will be no maligning another DE that got away when it comes to Carl Granderson, one of the biggest defensive standouts through the first two weeks of the 2023 season.
The Saints have agreed to a 4-year contract extension with the 26-year-old defensive end ahead of a Week 3 showdown with the Packers, a move announced the the team Saturday afternoon. The deal is reportedly worth $52 million, with just over $35 million guaranteed.
Granderson’s production and snap count had increased each of three seasons since the Saints signed him as a UDFA out of Wyoming in 2019. Through two games this year he’s recorded 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble, while being a near constant presence in the backfield across from Cam Jordan, who signed his own extension earlier this year.
For his career, Granderson has 108 tackles and 17 sacks. Granderson was in the final year of a 2-year extension worth $5.2 million. His deal comes on the heels of that of G Cesar Ruiz, who was also in a contract year.
The decision to get the deal struck earlier allows the Saints to avoid any potential bidding wars, and guarantees Granderson will be sticking around for the foreseeable future. It’s notable considering the departures of Trey Hendrickson and Marcus Davenport following the end of their rookie deals, two players the Saints had expressed interest in retaining.
There are several Saints players with contract questions looming, including G Andrus Peat and DE Payton Turner, whom the Saints could potentially retain for an extra season by picking up his 5th year option.
