NFL Free Agency: Willie Gay Jr. plans to sign one-year, $5 million deal with New Orleans Saints

For the first time in his career, Willie Gay hit free agency after spending four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. He is a two-time Super Bowl champion and was at the heart of the defense during both title runs. However, he will not play for the Chiefs next season after a reported new deal elsewhere.

According to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz, Gay has signed a one-year contract with the New Orleans Saints. Gay can make up to $5 million on the deal and will spend the 2024 season in the Big Easy. A nice addition for New Orleans in what should be a competitive NFC South.

“BREAKING: Free agent LB Willie Gay Jr. plans to sign a 1-year deal with the #Saints worth up to $5M, sources tell @BleacherReport,” Schultz said via X. “The 2x Super Bowl champ played a pivotal role for Kansas City’s defense during the past four seasons.”

Gay was a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State. He was a sporadic starter during his rookie season before Kansas City made him the full-time guy in 2021. In 57 career games, Gay has recorded 233 tackles, 17 tackles for a loss, and 5.0 sacks.

His best season came during the 2022 Super Bowl run, having 88 tackles, nine TFLs, and 2.5 sacks — all career highs. New Orleans will be hoping the Starkville, MS, native can get back to that level during his one-year contract.

More on the 2024 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2024 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. At that time, contracts running through 2023 officially run out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 5. Beginning March 11 through March 13 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who are set to become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 19 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 24, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits. Following the restricted free agent deadline comes the 2024 NFL Draft, which runs from April 25-27.