Former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nigel Bradham has agreed on a one-year contract with the New Orleans Saints, agent Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Thursday.
The Eagles released Bradham on February 19 after he had spent four seasons with the team.
Bradham, who will turn 30 on September 4, was scheduled to have a base salary of $ 8 million in 2020. The move saved the Eagles $ 4.5 million on the salary cap.
Linebacker is one of the few questions for the Saints after they let veteran AJ Klein go in free agency. The battle for No. 2 and No. 3 jobs alongside first-team All-Pro Demario Davis is open, and Bradham should be very much in the mix.
Veteran Kiko Alonso broke an LCA in January, leaving his status in doubt to start the season. And third-round rookie recruit Zack Baun will have to catch up quickly in this shortened offseason after serving primarily as a leading runner in Wisconsin.
Veteran Alex Anzalone and Craig Robertson are also in the mix as linebacker for New Orleans, which has had the best defense in the NFL in the past two seasons combined (allowing just 85.8 yards yards per game).
Originally chosen in the fourth round of the Buffalo Bills in 2012, Bradham, a product of the State of Florida, signed with the Eagles in 2016 and became a key component of coordinator Jim Schwartz’s defense, averaging 96 tackles in his first three seasons in philadelphia.
However, he was slowed by an ankle injury last season, totaling 61 tackles and an interception in 12 games.
In 115 career games, he has 619 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 3 interceptions and 5 forced fumbles.
Also Thursday, the Saints agreed to a deal with veteran wide receiver Bennie Fowler, a source confirmed, pending COVID-19 testing and a physical examination. Fowler’s deal was first reported by NewOrleans.football.
Fowler, 29, spent his first six seasons with the Denver Broncos and the last two with the New York Giants as an assistant / special team. The 6-foot-212-pounder has 95 career catches for 1,090 yards and six touchdowns.
He will compete for a roster spot in a crowded position group with New Orleans.
ESPN’s Mike Triplett and Tim McManus contributed to this report.
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