You might have missed it in the wake of the Tim Tebow trade to the Jets, but the Saints actually found themselves in the news today.
No, not that bit of news. The team announced that they have signed free agent defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley to a five-year contract. There were no financial terms included in their release, but Mike Triplett of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that it is a $25 million deal with $9 million guaranteed.
“We are pleased to add Brodrick to our defensive line,” said general manager Mickey Loomis, who will miss the first eight games of Bunkley’s Saints career while he serves his bounty-related suspension, in the team’s statement. “He’s an energetic player that can contribute in stopping the run and will be a positive influence on our front four.”
Bunkley had a strong year in the middle of the Broncos’ defensive line, racking up 43 tackles in 13 starts for the AFC West champs. The 2006 first-round pick spent the first five years of his NFL career with the Eagles. The Saints’ top two defensive tackles from last season, Shaun Rogers and Aubrayo Franklin, are both free agents.
While the news is sure to be relegated to a sidebar given everything else going down in New Orleans on Wednesday, Bunkley’s addition is a reminder that there’s on-field matters the Saints need to attend to even as so much comes toppling down around them.
