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The New Orleans Saints have been active in working to retain their own pending free agents during the legal tampering window, but it’s only a matter of time before they elbow their way into the open market. Check this space often for updates and instant analysis on every move the Saints make in free agency.

Players re-signed

• 3/16. Defensive tackle David Onyemata: three years, $27 million. Onyemata was expected to earn more than $10 million per year in free agency, and many of his peers surpassed that bar. So the Saints being able to retain him at a below-market value was huge. Onyemata is a rising talent at an important position, and keeping him around makes the team better.

Players lost

• 3/16. Linebacker A.J. Klein: three years, $18 million. Klein gets a pay raise to join his old coach, now with the Buffalo Bills. It would have been nice for the Saints to re-sign him but not at this price. Klein’s departure would recoup a sixth-round selection in 2021 if the Saints qualify for any compensatory picks in next year’s draft. New Orleans must look for linebacker depth elsewhere with two projected starters (Alex Anzalone and Kiko Alonso) returning from season-ending injuries.

Players gained

• TBD

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