Saints Willing To Part Ways With OTJermon Bushrod?

Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com reports that sources have informed him that impending free agent OT Jermon Bushrod “isn’t a priority for New Orleans.”

Campbell’s source adds that the Saints believe in investing in their interior offensive line versus paying tackles market value contracts. The idea here is to keep the pocket as clean as possible for QB Drew Brees so that he can look to make plays down the field.

This is evident by the fact that they’ve locked up Ben Grubbs and Jahri Evans to sizable contracts in the last few years.

Campbell adds that the Saints could extend “a lower offer” to Bushrod in the hopes that he’s willing to take a discount to remain with the team.

There are a number of offensive tackles that should be available in this year’s free agent market, which could have an impact on total dollars being offered to players like Bushrod. The Saints have some cap issues to address, but changing to a 3-4 defensive could allow them to part with some aging veterans that carry large contracts.

We have Bushrod listed as the No. 29 best available player in our Top 50 Free Agents list.