NFL free agency is off and running, and we're keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2026 offseason, with analysis from our NFL nation reporters and grades from our experts.
The new league year began Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, when free agent signings can now officially be signed. The first round of the 2026 NFL draft begins April 23 on ESPN.
The Saints announced Wednesday that their trade of punter Kai Kroeger and a 2028 seventh-round pick to the Houston Texans in exchange for Houston's 2029 sixth-round pick has been made official.
Here's a breakdown of every 2026 NFL free agent signing by the New Orleans Saints and how each will impact the upcoming season:
Jump to a player:
Edwards | Etienne | Elliss
Ridgeway | Wright | Fant
David Edwards, G
The former Bills guard signed a four-year deal, with $45 million guaranteed and a $20 million signing bonus.
What it means: The Saints knew they needed to invest in their offensive line. Not only do they have a young quarterback to protect, but they have also identified the run game as one of their biggest problems. New Orleans clearly set out to fix that, not only adding RB Travis Etienne Jr. but also solidifying the left guard spot by signing Edwards.
Left guard has been filled by a series of players on short-term deals over the years. Now, the Saints have shown they're serious about fortifying the interior of the offensive line.
Travis Etienne Jr., RB
The former Jaguars running back signed a four-year, $52 million deal with the Saints.
What it means: The Saints needed to add more offensive playmakers, and Etienne, a Louisiana native, can also catch passes.
He rushed for 1,107 yards and seven touchdowns with the Jaguars last season and caught 36 passes for 292 yards and six touchdowns. Adding Etienne, 27, is a sign of the Saints' possible transition in the running back room moving forward. Longtime running back Alvin Kamara, 30, has finished the past two seasons injured.
Kaden Elliss, LB
The former Falcon signed a three-year, $33 million deal with $23 million guaranteed, per NFL Network.
What it means: With Demario Davis going to the Jets, the Saints needed to fill a hole at linebacker. They've had a lot of success signing free agent linebackers over the years, but Elliss is a former homegrown product.
Elliss, 30, was a seventh-round pick by the Saints in 2019 who signed with the Falcons in 2023. Elliss was mostly a role player during his time in New Orleans until his final season but developed into a 17-game starter for the Falcons. Now he'll return to the place that drafted him. But the Elliss signing can't replace Davis as a leader, which the Saints will have to adjust to with the longtime captain gone.
John Ridgeway III, DT
The Saints signed Ridgeway to a two-year, $6.2 million deal. The deal includes a $1.65 million signing bonus and $1.65 million guaranteed.
What it means: New Orleans acquired Ridgeway for a Day 3 pick, and he has been a depth-type player for the past two seasons. Ridgeway missed a significant portion of the season last year while on injured reserve, but he'll return to the defensive line rotation as a backup and add depth for their run defense.
Ryan Wright, P
The Saints signed Wright to a four-year deal, with a $2.5 million signing bonus and $8 million guaranteed.
What it means: A punter might not be the most exciting free agent signing, but the position was one of the Saints' biggest needs this offseason.
Kai Kroeger averaged only 37.3 net yards per punt, which ranked among the bottom of the league. The Saints struggled before that, cycling through Matthew Hayball, Lou Hedley, and Blake Gillikin after parting ways with longtime punter Thomas Morstead after the 2020 season.
Investing in the position makes sense instead of going through another training camp with the job up for grabs.
Noah Fant, TE
Fant signed a two-year deal Monday.
What it means: New Orleans has had interest in Fant dating back to last year, when he visited the team during training camp. Fant signed with the Cincinnati Bengals and had his ups and downs during his one season there. He had 34 catches for 388 yards and three touchdowns but also lost three fumbles, which were all returned for touchdowns.
Fant was used as a run blocker on 142 plays and had an 82.3% "win" rate on those plays, according to TruMedia. Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau could become free agents Wednesday, so bringing in another tight end makes sense for the Saints.