We’re recapping the best New Orleans Saints undrafted free agent signings since 2006, from Pierre Thomas to Rashid Shaheed and everyone in-between:
The New Orleans Saints have a proud history of finding diamonds in the rough during undrafted free agency, signing rookies who weren’t fortunate to be picked during the selection event. It’s something that they’ve always valued with Mickey Loomis as general manager, but which really took off as a point of emphasis once Sean Payton took over as head coach. With the next wave of undrafted rookies looking to make their mark, it’s a great time to look back on the players who came before them.
We’re only counting players who signed with the Saints as rookie free agents — so guys like Delvin Breaux (who played in Canada) and Lance Moore (who started out in NFL Europe) were not included, even if they’re similar success stories who did not hear their names called from the stage on draft day. That’s also the case for former undrafted free agents like Chase Daniel and Brian De La Puente who landed in New Orleans after getting their pro starts elsewhere around the league.
The list of first-year eligible candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024 includes 3 former New Orleans Saints players:
Three former New Orleans Saints players are on the list of potential candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024, including Super Bowl XLIV champion Jermon Bushrod. He’s joined by former Saints center Max Unger and running back Chris Ivory as players who will become eligible for induction next year.
Bushrod started 132 of the 153 games he played in the NFL, including the playoffs, predominately with the Saints (72 starts in 85 games) at left tackle. He was selected for the Pro Bowl in 2011 and 2012 with New Orleans before spending the second leg with the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins, returning to the Saints to close out his career in 2018.
Unger joined the Saints in a 2015 trade with the Seattle Seahawks and rarely missed a snap, starting all 67 games he played for New Orleans (including the postseason) and winning Pro Bowl recognition in 2018, his last year in the NFL. He totaled 142 games in the league between his time with the Saints and Seahawks, including the playoffs, earning three Pro Bowl nods and winning a Super Bowl title in 2013.
Ivory had the briefest Saints career of the bunch, only appearing in 26 games from 2010 to 2012 after being signed as an undrafted free agent by way of Washington State and Tiffin University in Ohio. But he made a quick impression with his powerful running style and big-play ability, which won him a nice contract extension with the New York Jets after being traded in 2013 (where he made the Pro Bowl a few years later). Ivory closed out his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills.
To be frank, all three of these players are long-shots, and they probably won’t make it past the first rounds of discussion. A more realistic candidate is former Saints right guard Jahri Evans who was discussed as a semifinalist in this year’s cycle, and he’ll be in the mix again for the Class of 2023. His resume as a six-time Pro Bowler and four appearances on the All-Pro first team offense speaks for itself. We’ll see if Evans or any of Drew Brees’ former teammates get into the Hall of Fame before No. 9’s own candidacy is brought up in 2026.
Chris Johnson remorses on his bad decision to join the 2014 Jets instead of the Baltimore Ravens.
It’s been six years since running back Chris Johnson played for the New York Jets, but the decision still haunts him.
Johnson tweeted on Monday night about his free agency decision in 2014. In the tweet, he wondered how he picked the Jets over the Ravens in free agency after spending six years with the Tennessee Titans.
Just thinking to myself how did I pick going to jets over Baltimore Ravens in 2014 🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️ what a bad decision !!!!
Later on, Johnson tweeted again, this time saying that he meant no disrespect to the Jets organization. Rather, he explained that Gang Green was already set at the running back position with Chris *Ivory* and Bilal Powell.
Nothing against the Jets it was bad decision because they was already set at the position I wasn’t needed there honestly C. Henry and B.P. Has it under control
In retrospect, Johnson did make a bad decision. That year the Jets finished dead last in the AFC East with a 4-12 record, while the Ravens went 10-6 and won a playoff game.
In his only season with the Jets, Johnson didn’t record 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career. Johnson finished with 663 rushing yards and one touchdown with the Jets. Meanwhile, his rushing attempts per game dipped to less than 10 carries per game after he averaged at least 16 in six years with Tennessee.
As for the Ravens running back situation in 2014, it worked out quite well for them. That was the year Justin Forsett exploded for 1,266 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, which was good enough for a Pro Bowl appearance.
Unfortunately for Johnson, he can’t go back in time and change his decision. But the choice still lingers in his head when he thinks of what could’ve been had he signed with Baltimore instead of New York.
The Jets Wire names the Jets 2010’s all-decade team with New York’s franchise-worst 10-year stretch ending with a 7-9 finish.
The Jets’ decade started with an AFC Championship appearance, but since then they’ve endured one of the worst stretches in franchise history.
New York has only had one season since in which it was over .500 and failed to return to the playoffs. The Jets have now gone nine consecutive seasons without a playoff berth and a record four straight losing seasons after faring 10-6 in 2015.
To finish off the decade, the Jets went 6-2 after a 1-7 finish, but they still have yet to play meaningful football beyond the first week of January. It seems Gang Green has its quarterback of the future, but does it have enough to start off the next decade with a playoff trip?
Decisions for the future are coming. For now, let’s take a look at the Jets’ 2010s all-decade team:
Offense
East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker (87) and New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) celebrate Marshall’s touchdown during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Patriots 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
QB Mark Sanchez: Sanchez was consistently average during his time in New York, but that’s enough to be the team’s best quarterback of the decade. He was the only one to lead Gang Green to the playoffs in this decade. During his time as New York’s signal-caller, Sanchez went 33-29, a much more impressive record than what Geno Smith, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh McCown. The hope is that Sam Darnold will do more to earn the nod 10 years from now.
RB Chris Ivory:Â Acquired via trade in one of John Idzik’s first moves as New York’s general manager, Ivory had a rather productive three-year tenure in green and white. He ran for over 800 yards in all three seasons, including going over 1,000 yards in 2015.
WR Brandon Marshall:Â Marshall spent just two seasons with New York, but his 2015 was enough to garner a mention on this list. Marshall set the team record for catches and yards and tied Don Maynard for touchdowns. In 2015, Marshall had 109 catches for 1,502 yards and 14 touchdowns.
WR Eric Decker:Â Paired with Marshall, the Jets had one of the most dynamic passing attacks in the league. He could never establish himself as a No. 1 target, but Decker put up those numbers opposite of Marshall. In 2015, Decker had 80 receptions for 1,027 yards and 12 touchdowns.
WR Santonio Holmes:Â While Holmes’ Jets career ended on a sour note, he is still largely responsible for helping New York reach its second AFC Championship Game in as many seasons. While his statistics don’t tell the whole story because of his four-game suspension to the begin the season, Holmes was as clutch as can be when it counted.
TE Dustin Keller:Â One of the more productive tight ends in the history of the franchise, the Jets have been unable to replicate Keller’s success since he departed New York. He finished his six-year tenure with the Jets catching 241 passes for 2,876 yards and 17 scores.
OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson:Â Ferguson was a staple on the Jets offensive line. He was the glue that kept the left side together and New York never had to worry about it quarterback’s blindside when he was on the field.
OG James Carpenter:Â Carpenter was the best the Jets had to offer at left guard during the decade. He was a reliable fixture brought in by Idzik and started every single game for New York from 2015-17.
C Nick Mangold:Â An All-Pro in 2010, Mangold would appear in five of his seven Pro Bowl appearances during the 2010s. The Jets are still itching to find a competent center as his replacement.
OG Brandon Moore:Â Moore is more famous for Mark Sanchez running into his behind, but he is the best the Jets had at right guard from 2010 on.
RT Damien Woody:Â While Woody has now spent more time as an ESPN personality than with Gang Green this decade, he provided the most stability at a position that has been a thorn in the Jets’ side.
Honorable Mentions: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, RB Bilal Powell, RB Shonn Greene, WR Robby Anderson, OG Brian Winters, OT Kelvin Beachum.
