NFL Free Agency: Nnamdi Asomugha Considering Niners, Saints

Last week it looked like Nnamdi Asomugha was going to settle on either the San Francisco 49ers or New Orleans Saints relatively soon. A week later, not much has changed and the cornerback everyone wanted a few years ago is still on the depressed market. But despite teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Minnesota Vikings needing cornerbacks and secondary help, Asomugha has definitively whittled his destinations for the 2013 season down to the Bay Area and the Bayou.

From Pro Football Talk:

"But Asomugha continues to consider the 49ers and the Saints as a potential next destination, per a source with knowledge of the situation.  Other teams had expressed interest in Asomugha, but no other visits have been taken."

Both teams make sense, but the conventional favorite remains that Saints. New defensive coordinator Rob Ryan worked with Asomugha during their days in Oakland and Ryan has been pushing for a reunion in New Orleans since Asomugha hit the market. It shouldn’t come as a surprise since Ryan not only has a connection with Asomugha but he also has a fetish for cornerbacks.

However, the logical choice is San Francisco, as the Niners need a cornerback and are a lot closer to a Super Bowl than the Saints are at the moment. Asomugha has never played in a Super Bowl and his time is quickly running out. The Niners have boasted an impressive defense the last few years and it’s not hard to believe that Asomugha wants to be a part of that.

But it’s the depressed market for cornerbacks (and defensive players in general) that is holding up Asomugha’s signing. It’s not that the corner is holding out for more than the $4 million he’s expected to get, rather it gives him time to fully analyze his future and decide where he wants to go. In fact,this is probably the best for all parties involved, as unlike the last time he hit the market, Asomugha won’t rush the decision and sign with the highest bidder; this time he’s signing with the proper fit.