The Saints just signed Foster Moreau to headline the tight end unit in 2023. The ex-Raider’s feel-good story in NOLA is still being written.
The New Orleans Saints couldn’t go the entire offseason without bringing on at least one of Derek Carr’s old friends. Carr deserves at least that much.
After a successful draft, the Saints still saw a need to improve at the tight end position, and they recently announced that they were signing former Las Vegas Raiders TE Foster Moreau. According to Jeremy Fowler, Moreau and the Saints agreed to a three-year, $12 million deal that includes $8 million guaranteed and $3 million in incentives.
It may not be NOLA’s biggest move of the offseason, but it just might be the most inspirational.
Moreau was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma back in March, when went to New Orleans for a free agent visit, and an anomaly led to him being checked out by medical staff.
Two months later, sources say Moreau has been recovering well after his treatment, and he could play as soon as this season.
Update on Foster Moreau: He'll be able to get on the football field next week. Saints OTAs begin on May 23. Don't know in what capacity he'll participate in that yet, but a great sign for his process.
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) May 10, 2023
It’s a heartwarming story for Moreau and Saints but also for Derek Carr, who played with Moreau for the last four years in Las Vegas. Following Moreau’s signing, Carr posted a message on Twitter to remind people that the “mission” hasn’t changed.
The mission hasn't changed... let's get it https://t.co/DUEuOeBGJo
— Derek Carr (@derekcarrqb) May 10, 2023
Saints sign TE Foster Moreau, one of the offseason’s biggest comeback stories
In an offseason where the Jets are not-so-secretly signing Aaron Rodgers’ friends, the Saints went out and got Carr one of his good buddies as well.
NOLA has been disappointed by its tight end production for the last two years as Adam Trautman never lived up to the hype (he was traded to the Broncos during the 2023 draft) and Juwan Johnson may still need time to develop. Signing Moreau to build an extra link of chemistry in the passing game and upgrade at the tight end position just makes too much sense.
Back when Moreau publicly announced his diagnosis, Derek Carr was one of the first to offer his support to his former teammate — now, the two will be reunited on the field, this time in black and gold instead of black and silver.
Moreau, a NOLA native, actually went to LSU, so him getting signed by the Saints could be considered a homecoming of sorts. The 26-year-old recorded career-highs in catches (33) and receiving yards (420) for Las Vegas in 2022 when Darren Waller had to sit out due to injury.
It’s going to be comeback season in NOLA in 2023 for a host of reasons: the Saints need to bounce back from last year’s losing record, Derek Carr wants to prove his haters wrong, and Moreau is on track to beating cancer.
No remission for Moreau this year, just a mission to play the best football of his career.