Lonnie Johnson Jr. Could Not Reach New Deal With Saints, Heads To Reunion With Texans

The versatile defensive back shared his love for New Orleans announcing his own departure after not being able to come to terms on a new deal with the Saints.

NEW ORLEANS -- Unfortunately, NFL free agency is not just about adding talent and instead is equally about the departure of talent. The New Orleans Saints will see versatile defensive back Lonnie Johnson Jr. head elsewhere this offseason.

Johnson posted on social media, sharing love to the New Orleans fanbase moments before it was announced that he would be reuniting with the Houston Texans. The defensive back played one season in New Orleans, which was unfortunately disrupted by injury. But his impact in the locker room and play on the field made him a player many believed had earned another year with the Saints.

New Orleans Saints cornerback Lonnie Johnson Jr. (28) I congratulated by cornerback Adrian Frye (44) after an interception / Aug 20, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Lonnie Johnson Jr. (28) I congratulated by cornerback Adrian Frye (44) after an interception against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

It is unclear, but based on Johnson's social media post it seems that there may have been mutual interest in re-signing. "I tried I promise I tried we just couldn’t get it done," he said in his post on X. He will instead reunite with the Texans who drafted him in 2017.

Johnson appeared in 12 games with his most involved rotations being at dime defensive back and on special teams but spent some time as a deep safety for the team in certain games as well. He defended 3 passes, had an interception and fumble recovery on defense in 2023.

New Orleans will be looking for more help at defensive back behind their stellar starting secondary. The departure of Johnson and the to-be-seen destinations of safeties Johnathan Abram and Ugo Amadi leave a lot of questions unanswered for what was the strength of the team last year.

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