Alex Okafor Re-Signs with Saints on a 2 Year Deal
Free agent defensive end Alex Okafor has re-signed with the New Orleans Saints on a 2 year deal worth up to $10 Million, according to New Orleans Advocate beat writer Nick Underhill.
The 27-year-old Okafor is still recovering from a torn Achilles tendon that he suffered last November in a game against the Washington Redskins in Week #12 of the 2017 regular season.
However, the expectation is that he'll be ready for the start of the 2018 season later this year in early September, when the Saints open their 2018 NFL schedule at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Okafor joined the Saints on a one-year deal last year after spending his first four NFL seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. In the first 11 games, he had 43 tackles, five for loss, 4.5 sacks, four passes defensed and two forced fumbles.
His addition was a huge boost to the Saints pass rush, which was one of the more improved areas on the team's defense during the 2017 regular season.
The Saints finished with an (11-5) record, and won their first NFC South Division title, dating back to the 2013 season.
Photo courtesy of The Associated Press
The deal will most likely be voidable after year one but we will see the contract details in the coming days.
Saints have now addressed every level of the defense in 2018 NFL Free Agency, with today's signing of Okafor; along with the signings announced Wednesday with former New York Jets linebacker Demario Davis and Philadelphia Eagles "slot" CB (and original Saints draft pick) Patrick Robinson.
However, New Orleans will still likely target a defensive end in the draft because of both a lack of depth at the position as well as the injury concerns that come with bringing back Okafor.
The Saints focus now turns to trying to sign free agent and former Miami Dolphins All-Pro DT Ndamukong Suh.
He will be visiting New Orleans later today, but a deal is unlikely to get done because he is expected to take multiple visits and is drawing a variety of interest around the league........
