After signing Drew Brees to a new contract, the New Orleans Saints have given him another weapon in wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders.
Although the New Orleans Saints have one of the best wide receivers in the NFL in Michael Thomas, they have needed a true No. 2 option for Drew Brees. The Saints offense is at its best when Brees has a variety of options, and they’ve recently been leaning heavily on Thomas and running back Alvin Kamara in the passing game.
According to a report from ESPN’s Josina Anderson, New Orleans has found a new star to help take their passing attack to the next level, signing Emmanuel Sanders.
So it’s a huge boost for Brees and the offense to have Sanders. Mickey Loomis and New Orleans have inked the standout wideout, who helped lead the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl after a game-changing mid-season trade. He was previously a key component in the Denver Broncos Super Bowl-winning team.
In New Orleans, Sanders should form a 1-2 punch with Thomas which will be even more formidable than his partnership with Demaryius Thomas in Denver. Even at 33, Sanders has game-changing ability with the ball in his hands, and he’s a smart, versatile wideout who can line up in the slot and keep the chains moving for Brees’ offense.
Contract Details
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Sanders’ deal is worth $16 million over two years and could be worth up to $19 million overall, presumably based on incentives written into the contract for the long-time wideout.
National Reaction
As the national reaction shows, this is an incredible signing for the Saints, giving Sean Payton’s high-powered offense two true superstar receivers.
There are few wideouts in the NFL who are as consistent as Thomas and Sanders. The former has dominated the league like few young receivers have, racking up 100’s of receptions in each season. Sanders is also a former 100-catch guy and has been one of the steadiest hands in the NFL over the past five years.
With Jared Cook making big plays at tight end and Kamara operating as one of the league’s premier three-down backs, the Saints have one of the league’s scariest offenses. Combine their offense with the best defense Payton’s ever had, and the Saints will give Sanders’ former employers, the 49ers, a serious run for the Super Bowl.
Winning the Super Bowl is quite clearly the only goal in New Orleans as the organization heads into the twilight of Brees’ illustrious career.