Saints re-sign exclusive rights free agent Juwan Johnson

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Here’s a good move: the New Orleans Saints have re-signed backup tight end Juwan Johnson, per NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill. Johnson, 25, broke out for the Saints last year with 13 receptions for 159 yards and 4 touchdown catches. Not bad production for someone who worked as a wide receiver the year before, and who got on the field for just 21.7% of the team’s offensive snaps. Johnson found ways to make plays whenever he was in the game.

And bringing him back wasn’t a surprise — as an exclusive rights free agent (ERFA), the Saints could sign him to a one-year deal at a minimum salary, with rival teams barred from making him an offer. That won’t be the case next offseason, when Johnson becomes a restricted free agent, but that’s something to worry about on another day. For now, Johnson’s salary cap hit should clock in at around $895,000.

New Orleans previously re-signed another ERFA in defensive tackle Albert Huggins, and they have one more player with that designation to consider in Jalen Dalton, another defensive tackle, who missed the season with an injury.

As for the tight ends: the Saints have nearly kept their depth chart from 2021 intact, with Johnson backing up Adam Trautman and Nick Vannett while reserves Ethan Wolf and Dylan Soehner return for another shot. Another backup, Garrett Griffin, is a restricted free agent who could return at a minimum salary. Adding Johnson back to the mix helps, but he’s not goign to solve all of New Orleans’ problems at tight end. It makes sense for the Saints to consider veteran free agents like Kyle Rudolph.