fbpx
Skip to main content

Report: New Orleans Saints to Release Junior Galette

In a sign that the culture around the NFL is surely changing, the New Orleans Saints are reportedly on the verge of releasing pass rusher Junior Galette.

Galette, who agreed to a four-year, $41 million extension with New Orleans last September, has been the subject of an investigation surrounding a video that was released last month showing the outside linebacker allegedly striking a female with a belt during a confrontation back in 2013.

While Galette’s lawyer has since denied that his client was the individual shown in the fight, it appears that the Saints investigation showed enough evidence that it was indeed him.

On the field, this is a major blow to the Saints defense. The 27-year-old outside linebacker has recorded a combined 22 sacks over the past two seasons. His presence on a defense that has been looking to find the necessary talent to continue its transformation to a 3-4 scheme has been huge. Without him, New Orleans doesn’t have a natural stand-up 3-4 backer to rush the quarterback. It also means that Anthony Spencer and Parys Haralson will likely be the team’s two starting outside linebackers in 2015.

Be releasing the linebacker, New Orleans paid Galette $18 million in a little less than a calendar year. It’s the team’s decision to move on from him despite the financial situation that makes this move so surprising.

Photo: USA Today Sports

More About: