Saints Will Allow LT Jermon Bushrod To Test The Free Agent Market

Update: 

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Saints will not be using their franchise tag on LT Jermon Bushrod and will allow him to test the open market in the next few weeks.

Bushrod could agree to an extension with the Saints, but it’s unlikely that they would be willing to offer him a market value contract.

Offensive tackle is very deep this year, which means players like Bushrod could be forced to take less money in their next contracts due to supply of quality options.

The Bears have been rumored to be an option for Bushrod given that they’ve hired Aaron Kromer as their offensive line coach.

We have Bushrod listed as the No. 24 best available player in our Top 50 Free Agents list.

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According to the Chicago Tribune, the Bears could target LT Jermon Bushrod during free agency.

Chicago is expected to be looking for an upgrade at left tackle, which isn’t a good sign for J’Marcus Webb. The Bears hold the No. 20 overall pick in this year’s draft, but there’s a good chance that all of the top offensive tackle prospects are off the board by the time they’re on the clock.

Texas A&M’s Luke Joeckel, Central Michigan’s Eric Fisher and Oklahoma’s Lane Johnson could all go in the top-15 picks. Alabama’s D.J. Fluker is another first-round talent, but many see him as a right tackle, so he’s not a great fit for the Bears’ specific needs.

Bushrod, on the hand, is athletic enough to be a factor on the blindside and will almost certainly hit the open market due to the Saints cap situation. Bushrod has ties to the Bears offensive line coach Aaron Kromer and is really a great fit for them. The sheer number of available tackles on the free agent could push down the overall asking price for guys like Bushrod.