John Sigler
July 1, 2024 11:05 am CT
July is finally here, and a decent-sized group of players from last year’s New Orleans Saints team are still waiting around in free agency. Some names are bigger than others — Michael Thomas was once the league’s best wide receiver, but he’s currently without a team. He’s joined by ten former teammates who are searching for their next opportunity. Jimmy Graham is unsigned, though he’s reportedly open to another run with the Saints while training for next summer’s trek across the Arctic Ocean.
Other players don’t have time on their side. Whether it’s someone who spent the 2023 season on the Saints practice squad or injured reserve list, they’re just looking to extend their careers. Here’s a quick look at the list now that 2024 training camps are on the horizon:
WR Michael Thomas
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – NOVEMBER 12: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Age: 31.
TE Jimmy Graham
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 17: Jimmy Graham #80 of the New Orleans Saints reacts after a touchdown during the second half of the game against the New York Giants at Caesars Superdome on December 17, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Age: 38.
OL Cameron Erving
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 19: Cameron Erving #75 of the Carolina Panthers looks on during the preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium on August 19, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Age: 32.
OL Trai Turner
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 22: Trai Turner #70 of the Carolina Panthers warms-up before the start of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
Age: 31.
OL Max Garcia
Dec 3, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints guard Max Garcia (73) takes a moment to reflect before the game against the Detroit Lions at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Age: 33.
DE Kyle Phillips
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – AUGUST 13: Kyle Phillips #91 of the New Orleans Saints reacts after a turnover during a preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Caesars Superdome on August 13, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Age: 27.
LB Andrew Dowell
Aug 1, 2023; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Andrew Dowell (50) at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Age: 28.
WR Lynn Bowden Jr.
Dec 17, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Lynn Bowden Jr. (5) signals a first down after a catch against the New York Giants during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Age: 27.
RB Eno Benjamin
Jul 31, 2023; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Eno Benjamin (26) at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Age: 25.
LB Ryan Connelly
Aug 20, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Ryan Connelly (43) pressures Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Easton Stick (2) as Chargers offensive tackle Foster Sarell (73) blocks during the third quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Age: 29.
OL Colby Gossett
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 25: Colby Gossett #66 of the Atlanta Falcons looks on during the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on September 25, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Age: 28.
WR Michael Thomas
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – NOVEMBER 12: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Age: 31.
TE Jimmy Graham
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 17: Jimmy Graham #80 of the New Orleans Saints reacts after a touchdown during the second half of the game against the New York Giants at Caesars Superdome on December 17, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Age: 38.
OL Cameron Erving
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 19: Cameron Erving #75 of the Carolina Panthers looks on during the preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium on August 19, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Age: 32.
OL Trai Turner
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 22: Trai Turner #70 of the Carolina Panthers warms-up before the start of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
Age: 31.
OL Max Garcia
Dec 3, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints guard Max Garcia (73) takes a moment to reflect before the game against the Detroit Lions at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Age: 33.
DE Kyle Phillips
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – AUGUST 13: Kyle Phillips #91 of the New Orleans Saints reacts after a turnover during a preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Caesars Superdome on August 13, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Age: 27.
LB Andrew Dowell
Aug 1, 2023; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Andrew Dowell (50) at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Age: 28.
WR Lynn Bowden Jr.
Dec 17, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Lynn Bowden Jr. (5) signals a first down after a catch against the New York Giants during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Age: 27.
RB Eno Benjamin
Jul 31, 2023; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Eno Benjamin (26) at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Age: 25.
LB Ryan Connelly
Aug 20, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Ryan Connelly (43) pressures Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Easton Stick (2) as Chargers offensive tackle Foster Sarell (73) blocks during the third quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Age: 29.
OL Colby Gossett
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 25: Colby Gossett #66 of the Atlanta Falcons looks on during the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on September 25, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Age: 28.
