Waiting to get the deal done https://t.co/TSkkVtdQiP
— Juwan Johnson (@juwanplease) February 18, 2023
There might not be a more important in-house free agent for the New Orleans Saints than Juwan Johnson, so it’s good to see that the wide receiver-turned-tight end says he’s “waiting to get the deal done” after coming off of a career year. It’s vital that the Saints keep their best player at the position in town for the foreseeable future. He was a rare bright spot in an otherwise forgettable 2022 season.
Johnson posted an impressive line of 42 receptions for 508 yards and 7 touchdown catches in 2022, securing a career-high 64.6% of his targets and playing a big part in the passing game. Johnson’s per-game averages (2.6 receptions and 31.8 yards each week) were modest but so was the passing attack as a whole. He was a frequent highlight when the team got in scoring position. Rookie wideout Chris Olave was the only teammate to run more routes than him last year, and the Saints trusted him as a run blocker in some key situations. He’s made positive progress every year he’s played for New Orleans.
Now he’s a pending free agent with restricted status, which gives the Saints more options in keeping him on the team for 2023. Johnson is probably another year away from his first big NFL payday but it’s in his interest to get some long-term stability and New Orleans would like to sign him on a deal that fits within their complex salary cap accounting. Here are a couple of scenarios and contract projections to consider: