Jimmy Graham rejoins the Saints after a nine-year hiatus

NFL tight end Jimmy Graham returns to Saints in one-year deal.

In a surprising turn of events, the New Orleans Saints have announced that they have reached a one-year deal with their former tight end, Jimmy Graham. This marks a homecoming for Graham, who began his NFL career with the Saints back in 2010 as a third-round draft pick.

During his time with the Saints, Graham quickly established himself as one of the top tight ends in the game. In 2011, he earned his first Pro Bowl nod after an impressive season where he recorded 99 receptions for 1,310 yards and 11 touchdowns. This was just the beginning of Graham's success, as he went on to receive Pro Bowl honors a total of five times.

One of Graham's standout seasons came in 2013 when he led the league in receiving touchdowns with an impressive 16. He also amassed 1,215 receiving yards, earning him first-team All-Pro honors. However, this success was followed by a dispute between Graham and the Saints during the 2014 offseason.

The disagreement arose when the Saints franchise-tagged Graham, valuing him as a tight end while Graham believed he should be valued as a wide receiver. Despite reaching a contract agreement prior to the 2014 season, Graham was eventually traded to the Seattle Seahawks.

During his time in Seattle, Graham continued to shine, earning two more Pro Bowl selections. After his tenure with the Seahawks, he went on to play two seasons each with the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears. In 2021, Graham last played in the NFL with the Bears, recording 14 receptions and three touchdowns in 15 games.

The announcement of Graham's return to the Saints was met with excitement from both the team and the player himself. The Saints took to social media to share a nostalgic image of Graham's iconic slam dunk touchdown celebration, where he famously dented a field goal post.

Graham also joined in on the fun, sharing his own image of the touchdown celebration along with a GIF of WWE wrestler Undertaker rising from a coffin. This playful banter between the team and Graham showcases the excitement surrounding his return to New Orleans.

Overall, this one-year deal marks a significant moment in Graham's career as he returns to where it all began. Saints fans can look forward to seeing their beloved tight end back in action, and Graham has the opportunity to add to his already impressive legacy.