The New Orleans Saints have traded tight end Jimmy Graham to the Seattle Seahawks.
Graham, a fan favorite, set numerous club records and was a potent tool in the Saints’ offensive arsenal — but had suffered from nagging injuries and declining performance this past season.
Graham will be sent to Seattle along with a fourth-round draft pick, in exchange for Seattle center Max Unger and a first-round pick.
The Saints now have three of the first 44 2015 draft picks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuLkSLEdsCM
Unger, a two-time Pro Bowler, has battled injuries of his own, including an ankle injury that forced him to sit out Seattle’s final six regular season games.
The Saints were in need of a solidified offensive line and had struggled at the center position since trading Jonathan Goodwin to the San Francisco 49ers back in 2011 — and especially after Goodwin's return last year. The Saints posted a disappointing 7-9 record this past season, including five straight losses at the Superdome.
New Orleans has also been making bold moves this offseason, in part to make some more room under the salary cap. Last week the team released running back Pierre Thomas, who had played all of his eight seasons in the NFL with the Saints.
According to NBC Sports, Graham will be owed a $5 million roster bonus, $2.9 million in base salary, and a $100,000 workout bonus this year.
Graham has the most receiving yards in his first five seasons than any tight end in NFL history: 4,752.
Reaction to Graham’s departure on New Orleans social media was swift, shocked and united in dismay:
THE UNGER GAMES
— James Karst, Pet Detective (@jameskarst) March 10, 2015
Jimmy Graham's 2015 cap # w/Saints was $11M. Saints have $9M of dead $$ w/him. Unger's '15 salary is $4.5M. $2.5M of cap space lost for now.
— Joel Corry (@corryjoel) March 10, 2015
So the judge pretty much *has* to rule Benson mentally unfit now, right?
— Logan Leger (@lleger) March 10, 2015
That's jus a possibility?! It ain official right?!
— cameron jordan (@camjordan94) March 10, 2015
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
— Finn McCools New Orleans (@finnmccoolspub) March 10, 2015
LET'S ALL LEAVE WORK AND GO GET A DRINK
— SAY HER NAME (@champsuperstar) March 10, 2015
Saints switched the official chicken from Popeyes to Raisin Canes, all downhill from there
— Pels In Six (@ShotByLu) March 10, 2015
And i don't think we have seen the end of the madness yet. They wanted to change the make up of this team. Mission accomplished
— deuce mcallister (@dmcallister26) March 10, 2015
Speechless right now. Love you boy. There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 pic.twitter.com/OZ6CENqv6F
— Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson) March 10, 2015
So i ordered a pizza today. When i answered the door the pizza man said "your total is $22.50 ...the saints just traded Jimmy Grahm" no lie.
— Prosper Jones (@Prosper__Jones) March 10, 2015
I texted a 49ers scout about Jimmy Graham trade and he sent me back one word: "F--k."
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) March 10, 2015
This says it best. Back to work. pic.twitter.com/ZW8TExJ3t5
— Duris Holmes (@duris) March 10, 2015