METAIRIE, LA (KATC) – The Saints have their running back, and his name isn’t Mark Ingram.
Tuesday, during the second day of the NFL’s legal tampering period, the Saints agreed on a deal that is expected to bring Latavius Murray to New Orleans. (Players can’t new deals until 4:00 p.m. Wednesday.)
The contract is a worth a reportedly $14.4 million for four seasons. Reports suggest New Orleans shifted its focus to the former Raiders and Vikings running back after contract talks with Mark Ingram stalled.
Murray ran for 576 yards, and five touchdowns last season. The Oakland Raiders drafted him in the sixth round in 2013. He’s run for 3,698 yards and 34 touchdowns. His career high came in 2015 when he eclipsed 1,000 yards. He will play off third-year standout Alvin Kamara who has recorded more than 3,000 total yards, and 31 total touchdowns in his first two season with the Saints.
Murray’s deal signifies the end of Mark Ingram’s career in New Orleans. Ingram ran for 6,007 yards and 50 touchdowns in eight seasons and was on pace to become the franchise’s all-time leading rusher.
News also surfaced Tuesday about backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. The NFL Network’s Jane Slater reports that Bridgewater is expected to stay in New Orleans. Slater adds that culture and the potential to take over in the post-Drew Brees era as reasons he’s planning to stay.
Earlier this week New Orleans extended safety Chris Banjo for three years, $9 million, and linebacker Chris Robertson for two years, $4 million.
