Former #Jets franchised tagged S Marcus Maye is signing with the #Saints, per me and @MikeGarafolo. They get their big-ticket free agent in the secondary.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2022
This could be big: the New Orleans Saints moved quickly to replace Marcus Williams after he reached an agreement with the Baltimore Ravens, with NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reporting that former New York Jets safety Marcus Maye is going to sign with New Orleans upon the start of the new league year.
As for his contract value: NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that Maye is going to sign with the Saints on a three-year, $28.5 million contract including $15 million in guarantees. That’s an average of $9.5 million per year, which shouldn’t jeopardize their expected 2023 compensatory draft pick coming in for Williams once some other Saints free agents begin to sign with other teams.
Maye, 29, was drafted just three spots ahead of Williams back in 2017 and played on the franchise tag during the 2021 season. But a midseason Achilles injury cut his year short. He’ll have an opportunity to fill in for Williams and perform many of the same play assignments. Right now, it’s looking like a savvy move.