New Orleans Saints trying to steal Cameron Meredith from Bears
The New Orleans Saints are trying to steal Cameron Meredith from the Chicago Bears, signing the RFA wide receiver to an offer sheet..
Thought the drama of NFL free agency was overwith?
Think again.
The New Orleans Saints are reportedly trying to steal restricted free agent wide receiver Cameron Meredith away from the Chicago Bears. Adam Schefter of ESPN had the initial report:
Saints are signing Bears’ restricted free-agent WR Cameron Meredith to an offer sheet, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 6, 2018
Saints’ WR coach Curtis Johnson is the former Bears’ WR coach, and knows Meredith well.
Terms update: Saints signing Bears’ RFA WR Cameron Meredith to a 2-year offer sheet, per source. Expecting money to be about $5 million per year - 2 years, roughly $10 million.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 6, 2018
Meredith was looking like an up-and-coming stud receiver with the Bears back in 2016 when he caught 66 passes for 88 touchdowns and four touchdowns as the ‘Robin’ to Alshon Jeffery’s ‘Batman’.
It was assumed that Meredith would be the team’s top receiver moving forward with Jeffery bolting for Philadelphia, but he unfortunately suffered a season-ending ACL tear and was unable to play.
After taking visits with the Colts, Ravens, and Saints, Meredith has finally signed an offer sheet and this is where things get interesting. The Bears signed Meredith to an original round tender, and he was undrafted, so they would receive no compensation for him if he signs with another team.
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Basically, the Bears will get a chance to look at whatever offer the Saints made, and decide whether or not they want to match that offer and keep Meredith long-term, or move forward with the group of playmakers they have added this offseason.
The Saints could really use a playmaker like Meredith to pair with Michael Thomas on the outside, but his future is currently in the hands of the Chicago Bears.
With Kevin White’s injury history as well as Allen Robinson coming off of an ACL injury, the Bears would be wise to consider matching whatever offer Meredith receives here. The Saints don’t have a ton of cap space, so it’s not like they are going to try and break the bank for a player this far into free agency.
The Bears, on the other hand, have plenty of cap space and a quarterback on a rookie contract.
It makes all the sense in the world for them to keep Meredith around, especially at the reported price tag of just $5 million per year for two years.