March 14, 2026, 6:23 p.m. CT
Free agency has been highly productive for the New Orleans Saints over the first week. The Saints have been very decisive in filling their most pressing team needs. One of those needs was at offensive guard, where New Orleans has been downright abysmal for the last few seasons. To address that, the Saints signed guard David Edwards, who had played the last three seasons for the Buffalo Bills.
Edwards, who turns 29 later this month, agreed to a four-year contract for $61 million dollars. A reported $45 million of that is guaranteed, with a $20 million signing bonus. It’s a hefty price overall, but one that New Orleans had to pay to fill a gaping hole in their offense and the biggest weakness on the entire team.
David Edwards signing grade: A
New Orleans got what was graded by most as the best guard in free agency. Edwards has been a left guard his entire career. It’s where he’ll start for the Saints. At least New Orleans has a body (if not much else) at right guard in Cesar Ruiz; they’ve had a rotating door at left guard for nearly four seasons. Edwards is expected to make a formidable tandem on the left side with budding star Kelvin Banks Jr. at tackle.
Even the contract for Edwards isn’t as daunting as it appears to be on the surface. He’ll count only $6.3 million against the salary cap this season. While those numbers go significantly up to $13.7 million in 2027 and to $20 million in 2028 and 2029, there are no voided years currently built into the deal. This gives the Saints flexibility to restructure and create additional salary cap space in each of those seasons. On the field, New Orleans got a player expected to significantly upgrade their anemic rushing attack and provide interior protection for young quarterback Tyler Shough.
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