Saints expected to sign free agents Kareem Hunt, Anthony Barr

Workouts for free agents Kareem Hunt and Anthony Barr apparently went well on Monday because the New Orleans Saints are now expected to sign both the running back and linebacker, according to ESPN’s Dianna Russini.

The two free agents still need to pass their physicals but barring failure, they’ll join the Saints for the remainder of training camp. New Orleans has a preseason game versus the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

In related news, the NFL announced a suspension for Saints RB Alvin Kamara this week. He’ll sit out three games as punishment for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Kamara was involved in a fight in Las Vegas in 2022 that initially resulted in a felony charge.

Alas, it looks like Kamara’s situation has opened a door for Hunt, who just needed an opportunity from a team in 2023.

After beginning his career with the Kansas City Chiefs, Hunt has spent the last four seasons in Cleveland with the Browns, creating a two-headed monster at running back with Nick Chubb. He has amassed over 4,000 rushing yards and 48 total touchdowns over his time in the NFL. The 2023 season will be his seventh in the league.

Last season for the Browns, Hunt posted 123 carries in 17 games for 468 rushing yards and three scores. He also added 35 receptions for 210 yards and another touchdown.

The former Toledo standout earned the NFL’s rushing title as a rookie in 2017. That same year he earned his first and only Pro Bowl nod.

Saints adding former Cowboys linebacker

Despite a hamstring injury that briefly sidelined him, Anthony Barr played 16 games for the Cowboys last season. The former Minnesota Vikings first-round draft pick posted 58 tackles during the regular season and an additional nine in the two postseason games. He also added a sack and two fumble recoveries, along with 4.5 tackles for loss.

The 2014 draft pick out of UCLA played eight seasons with the Vikings, which came to a close last offseason. He had restructured his 2021 deal to clear up $2.8 million in cap space but the Vikings ultimately let him go into free agency for 2022. In 2019, he signed the biggest deal of his career for five years, $67.5 million.

With Minnesota, Barr started all 98 games that he played in. He made four straight Pro Bowls from 2015-18 and racked up 39 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, five interceptions, and 31 pass breakups during his time in the Purple and Gold.