Saints Take Huge Hits Losing Onyemata, Tuttle to NFC South Foes

The New Orleans Saints take a huge hit with the losses of two defensive linemen in free agency.

Kyle T. Mosley | Mar 13, 2023

Saints Take Huge Hits Losing Onyemata, Tuttle to NFC South Foes /

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New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints start the free agency period with two massive losses of big men along the defensive line at the hands of two NFC South division foes, Atlanta and Carolina.

Shy Tuttle intercepts Matt Ryan — David Onyemata; Credit: New Orleans SaintsAtlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) throws an interception to New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Shy Tuttle (99). Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Adam Schefter reported starting defensive tackle David Onyemata signed a three-year, $35M deal with $24.5M fully guaranteed. The "Big O" will reunite with Falcons' defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen who left the Saints this offseason.

ESPN's Kat Terrell states that Onyemata's "contract automatically voids this week." Still, the Saints are on the hook for $10 million of his previous signing bonus that will affect the team's salary cap in 2023.

New Orleans selected David Onyemata as the 120th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He's totaled 214 tackles, 19.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, and one interception with the Saints.

The second big man to jettison the Big Easy is defensive tackle Shy Tuttle. He agreed with the Carolina Panthers on a 3-year contract worth $19.5M with $13M guaranteed at signing.

New Orleans signed Tuttle as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He notched 143 tackles, 14 pass deflections, four sacks, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery during his tenure with the Saints. His most memorable takeaway occurred against Atlanta on Nov. 28, 2019. Tuttle snagged a Matt Ryan pass he deflected, embarrassingly stiffed-armed the veteran quarterback, and rumbled inside the Falcons' 20-yard line before being tackled.

Losing the two starters leaves the Saints with only Malcolm Roach and Prince Emili under contract as Albert Huggins becomes a restricted free agent. Kentavius Street, 27, is now an unrestricted free agent after completing the 2022 season with 29 total tackles, eight QB Hits, five TFLs, and a pass defended.

The Saints must turn to free agency to locate help and add depth in what was once a deep position group over the past few seasons.

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