Saints’ timeline for signing unrestricted free agents

Many people are still unsure how much time the New Orleans Saints still have to make their final decisions on unrestricted free agents, as they still have six unrestricted free agents remaining unsigned, including quarterback Mark Brunell, tight ends Dan Campbell, Darnell Dinkins and Billy Miller, defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy and defensive end Paul Spicer.

There is indeed a deadline, which is July 22, before which all the unrestricted free agents issues should be set for ready. If an unrestricted free agent remains unsigned by the date of June 1 and their team has not offered a one-year tender worth at least 110 percent of the player’s base salary in last year by then, the free agent will be free in real sense to sign with one of any other teams, including the final eight playoff teams from last season. So the Saints now have less than one month for contract negotiations with their remaining unrestricted free agents. If they fail to reach any agreement by the date, some of the current free agents may take off Saints jerseys to join other teams.

There are still questions about UFAs from other teams. It has been reported that the Saints are interested in unrestricted free agents Patrick Ramsey and Josh McCown, but they may have to wait until the July 22 deadline to have a deal done. They can also choose to sign one of the two before the deadline, but it will require them to lose one of their own restricted free agents to another team. Another condition for Saints to sign restricted free agent is that the free agent is released by his former team.