WWNO skyline header graphic
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Local Newscast
Hear the latest from the WWNO/WRKF Newsroom.

Support local, independent journalism on WWNO with your Member Fest gift now! Click the donate button or Call 844-790-1094.

Goodbye, Jimmy, Goodbye: Saints Trade Tight End Graham To Seattle Seahawks

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:

Jason Saul served as WWNO's Director of Digital Services. In 2017 he took a position at BirdNote, in Seattle.

👋 Looks like you could use more news. Sign up for our newsletters.

* indicates required
New Orleans Public Radio News
New Orleans Public Radio Info