The New Orleans Saints reportedly aren’t planning to make a tender offer to restricted free agent defensive lineman Tom Johnson, according to USA Today’s Tom Pelissero.
That’s not a huge surprise, since the minimum one-year tender for restricted free agents is projected to be around $1.4 million this year. It’s unclear if the Saints will consider bringing back Johnson on a more affordable deal.
Johnson, 29, has been a solid backup at both tackle and end for the Saints over the past three years since they snagged him from the Canadian Football League’s Calgary Stampeders. The 6-3, 288-pounder has 55 tackles, five sacks and a forced fumble in his career.
The Saints, however, have some nice young depth at their interior line positions, led by Cameron Jordan, Akiem Hicks, John Jenkins, Glenn Foster and Tyrunn Walker, in addition to veteran tackle Brodrick Bunkley.
The Saints will likely make a stronger push to re-sign their other three restricted free agents -- fullback Jed Collins, safety Rafael Bush and receiver Joe Morgan.
They’ll likely use the second-round tender on Collins (meaning a team would have to give up a second-round pick to sign him away). That tender is projected to cost $2.1 million or more. They may need to use the same tender on Bush, since he could move into a starting role for the Saints this year.
Morgan is tougher to predict since he has shown great potential as a deep-threat receiver, but he also missed last season with a knee injury. They could offer the $1.4 million tender, which comes with no draft-pick compensation, or try to work out a deal for less.
RFA tenders must be made before the start of the new league year on March 11.
