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2015 NFL Free Agency: What Awaits Junior Galette?

By Erik Lambert

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Releasing a double digit sack producer in the prime of his career like Junior Galette is never an easy decision for a team, but the New Orleans Saints were given little choice.  Facing both a huge salary cap hit and looming law issues stemming from an alleged assault of a woman.

On top of that he’s also dealing with a torn pectoral.  Suffice to say the outside linebacker was less than thrilled about the entire situation.

Regardless of the hurt feelings, the fact is 2015 NFL free agency is about to get a 27-year old pass rusher who has 22 sacks over the past two years on the market.  Depending on what happens with his health and his off-the-field concerns, there could be a sizeable rush by needy team to bring him in.

Of course it would most likely be a one-year deal in order for him to prove he can both retain the same level of ability that earned him a $41 million extension from New Orleans last year and also stay out of trouble.

Are there any teams out there that might willingly take that risk?

Chicago Bears

This idea would’ve been so much more plausible prior to the Ray McDonald fiasco.  After taking a similar leap of faith on the former San Francisco defensive end, it took him all of a few weeks to blow it by getting arrested yet again for domestic violence.

The thing is the Chicago Bears are switching to a 3-4 and in dire of need of proven pass rushers.  Better still, their GM Ryan Pace was part of the Saints front office when Galette was drafted.  So there is familiarity there as well.  It’s just hard envisioning them taking another risk so soon after McDonald stung them.

Cincinnati Bengals

Pass rush was a big problem for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2014, especially off the edge.  Carlos Dunlap was their leader by far with eight.  As a team they had 20.  Safe to say that won’t cut it if this team is going to make any sort of noise in the AFC playoffs.

Re-signing Michael Johnson was a start, but that isn’t enough.  Galette has familiarity playing in a 4-3 defense as an end and head coach Marvin Lewis is notorious for giving troubled players second chances.  This seems like as good a match as any.

Dallas Cowboys

Why not?  Jerry Jones has shown no issues bringing in other players this year who bring off-the-field baggage with them.  Two of them, Greg Hardy and Randy Gregory are pass rushers.  The Dallas Cowboys have made it clear they are Super Bowl or bust in 2015 and that means playing the odds with the players they bring in.  Galette wouldn’t have a hard time finding a place on the roster and might actually thrive under the disciplined hand of coordinator Rod Marinelli.

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