The NFL officially processed the contracts between the New Orleans Saints and free agents Emmanuel Sanders and D.J. Swearinger, as reflected on the official league transactions wire on Monday. While these deals had previously been agreed to, both players have since cleared medical physicals and put pens to paper.
That means that Sanders is the newest member of the Saints, having last played for the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV (which they lost). He hasn’t yet picked a new jersey number, though the NFL veteran has said on social media that he would like to continue wearing No. 17. He’ll have to haggle for it with second-year pro Emmanuel Butler, one of several Saints players who currently own the jersey numbers Sanders has worn throughout his NFL and college careers.
As for Swearinger: the official Saints website lists him at No. 36, which he wore last season. He joined the Saints as a free agent pickup late in the year, only appearing on a few special teams snaps, but he could have a larger role in 2020 now that starting strong safety Vonn Bell has left for the Cincinnati Bengals. Bringing two experienced players like Sanders and Swearinger into the fold bodes well for a strong Saints locker room moving forwards.
