The New Orleans Saints agreed to terms with free agent punt returner Marcus Sherels, who joins the black and gold after a nine-year stint with the Minnesota Vikings. Here’s five quick facts on the newest member of the Saints:
5. Sherels is the Vikings all-time punt returns leader
Sherels leaves Minnesota with two key records: he is the franchise’s all-time leader in punt return yards (2447) and punt return touchdowns (5), more than any other Viking. Only two players in Saints team history have multiple punt return touchdowns, and neither of them are still with the team: Reggie Bush (4) and Tyrone Hughes (2). The great Michael Lewis had almost a thousand fewer career punt return yards with just 1482, which is the highest mark any Saint has set.
4. Sherels is the fourth former Viking to join New Orleans
The Saints have made it a habit to target former Vikings: Sherels joins quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, running back Latavius Murray, and center Nick Easton. It’s probably just a coincidence, but it’s notable that so many players from one team are joining the Saints. They must be noticing that the Saints are on the upswing, while the Vikings have only tread water since the Minneapolis Miracle put them under the spotlight.
3. Sherels rarely played defense for Minnesota
Though he was listed as the team’s fifth cornerback, Sherels rarely got on the field with the defensive unit. He played just 74 defensive snaps from 2014 to 2018. The Saints likely won’t look to give a 31-year old free agent signing added responsibilities, so don’t expect him to do more than back up any of the starting cornerbacks. That said, it will take renewed efforts from backups Justin Hardee and Ken Crawley to make their own marks on special teams to make the squad over Sherels.
2. Sherels has a strong friendship with Thomas Morstead
Morstead broke some cartilage in his ribs while tackling Sherels during the Saints-Vikings 2017 divisional round game. That on-field injury turned into a close friendship after Sherels accompanied Morstead to present a check to the Minneapolis Children’s Hospital on behalf of Vikings fans who donated to his charity in a show of gamesmanship. Morstead and Sherels teamed up again in 2018 to raise more funds for the Children’s Hospital during their rematch, and now they end up wearing the same colors as teammates in New Orleans.
1. Sherels is chasing a Super Bowl victory
Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported that the Vikings tried to retain Sherels for another year, along with half a dozen other NFL teams. But Sherels chose to join the Saints because he sees them as Super Bowl contenders, giving him his best chance to win a title. What a wild shift in perceptions since the Minneapolis Miracle and the Vikings’ blockbuster signing of Kirk Cousins. The Saints are an ascending team.
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