Nigel Bradham’s tenure with the New Orleans Saints lasted just over two weeks, as the franchise surprisingly cut the veteran linebacker on Monday, per a report by Adam Schefter of ESPN. The Saints signed the 30-year-old Bradham to a one-year contract earlier this month after Bradham spent the past four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Bradham, an integral part of the Philadelphia Super Bowl championship team in 2017, had some controversial remarks last week regarding his former team raising some eyebrows around the NFL. When asked about his first impressions of the Saints, Bradham did not hesitate to talk about his former organization along the way.
“It’s definitely a different kind of environment, a different culture,” Bradham said. “Because the last two organizations I went to were not winning organizations. So when you get to a place where it’s known to win and known to be in the postseason, you see a different kind of culture that what they have and the expectations they have naturally and what they expect from you as a player. “
Bradham was correct in his assessment of the Eagles when he arrived when the franchise came out of a disastrous 6-10 season under Chip Kelly and hired a new head coach in Doug Pederson, who was responsible for changing ‘. the culture of a franchise that has won seven NFC East titles and made five NFC Championship Game appearances since 2000. Bradham was part of a defense that helped the Eagles win the NFC East twice in the next four seasons and won the franchise’s first Super Bowl title (and the first NFL title since 1960).
The former Eagles linebacker explained his remarks, but often his words left a mark on the Saints organization when the front office finally decided to go ahead.
“We built that atmosphere of winning with Coach Pederson and I was the first free agency he had,” Bradham told John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia. “I love Philadelphia always & forever.”
Bradham also did not have much of a role in the Saints defense, as he was still in the process of figuring that out before the surprise release.
“Right now I think we’re just trying to feel where I fit in best and give me an understanding of defense, learning the defense, learning the terminology, and just getting comfortable in it. defense, “Bradham said last week. “I think it’s the main focus for me right now. I think it (my role) will expand more as we get closer to the season, but right now, in training camp, I think I’m pretty focused. I’m learning the defense, understanding everything, the ins and outs and the terminology. “
Bradham has recorded 619 tackles, 8.5 sacks, three interceptions, and five forced fumbles in eight seasons with the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles. He finished with 61 tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown last season.
