The New Orleans Saints are dealing with their usual budget constraints in free agency, but there are a few veteran players they could potentially retain if they decide to.
Currently, the Saints are $47 million over the salary cap, almost twice as much as any other NFL team. Following a disappointing 5-12 season, turning things around will be challenging. However, after restructuring several contracts, they should have a few million dollars to work with.
The Tight end is an intriguing candidate for a return. While he’s not a standout, he has proven to be a reliable option, recording a career-high 548 receiving yards this past season despite frequently dealing with changes at quarterback.
However, Johnson may have other offers, which could convince him to leave New Orleans even if the Saints want to re-sign him. This is especially true if he has the opportunity to reunite with the legendary coach he played under during his first two NFL seasons.
On Wednesday, Tom Strachan of FantasyPros predicted that Johnson would sign with the Denver Broncos, thanks to head coach Sean Payton, who was the Saints’ most successful coach from 2006 to 2021.
“Payton simply loves having what he knows around him. The Broncos are searching for a ‘weapon’ at the tight end position, according to Payton,” Strachan wrote.
“It would make too much sense to see him reunited with 28-year-old Juwan Johnson. As a former wide receiver, Johnson flashed at times over the last couple of seasons. The Broncos need more pass-catching options and Johnson paired with Bo Nix could be a fun combination.”
Payton never coached Johnson as a wide receiver, as a matter of fact. The 28-year-old made his transition to tight end before the 2022 season, just as Payton was embarking on his one-year stint as a television analyst.
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