During a routine physical performed performed in March by the New Orleans Saints’ medical team during a free-agent visit, former Las Vegas Raiders tight end Forster Moreau was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s germ-fighting immune system.
Moreau disclosed the diagnosis on his Twitter account.
Through somewhat of a miraculous process, this Free Agency period has been life changing for me. During a routine physical conducted by the Saint’s medical team down in New Orleans, I’ve come to learn that I have Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and will be stepping away from football (1/3)
— Foster Moreau (@fhmoreau) March 22, 2023
That being said, I’ll go kick this thing’s ass and get back to doing what I love! AMDG!
— Foster Moreau (@fhmoreau) March 22, 2023
On Wednesday, Moreau’s story took a wonderful turn.
Free-agent TE Foster Moreau reached agreement today on a three-year, $12 million that includes $8 million fully guaranteed and an additional $3 million in incentives with the New Orleans Saints, per source. Moreau winds up back in Louisiana.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 10, 2023
Moreau will reunite with Derek Carr, his former Raiders quarterback, who signed a four-year, $150 million contract with $100 million guaranteed with New Orleans in early March. Obviously, Darren Waller was Carr’s primary explosive target with the Raiders, but Moreau provided his own specific value, catching 33 passes on 49 targets for 420 yards and two touchdowns in the 2022 season. Through his NFL career, the 2019 fourth-round pick out of LSU has totaled 91 catches on 128 targets for 1,107 yards and 12 touchdowns.
While he’s not in the same downfield threat category as Waller, Moreau became a valuable outlet target for Carr with his ability to get open quickly off the snap, and maximize yards-after-catch opportunities. 241 of his 420 yards last season came after the catch, and that’s what he brings to the Saints.
Moreau also brings contested-catch ability to the table, and there’s perhaps no better example than this 21-yard Week 17 catch against the 409ers. Not nnly did Moreau successfully keep Nick Bosa at bay off the snap, but he then released into his route, and fought off cornerback Deommodor Lenior as Lenoir caught up to him.
Basically, if you want an in-line tight end who can get open, body defenders out of the way, and make some amazing catches at the end, Moreau is a clear asset. The Chargers would be able to tell you all about that.
So, while Moreau’s return to the NFL is absolutely a feel-good story, he also has what it takes to add to the Saints’ passing game, and Derek Carr gets a clutch receiver he trusts.
Which makes it a win-win-win.