After signing Etienne, the Saints shock again, landing Vikings' speedster Ty Chandler. His explosive potential could redefine New Orleans' backfield.
The New Orleans Saints have been active at the running back position this offseason. They made known their intention to improve the position with a head turning free agent signing of 1,000-yard rusher Travis Etienne.
After the move, many expected the team's free agent run at running back was over. They would be wrong.
The Saints are reportedly signing Ty Chandler at running back according to Saints insider, Nick Underhill. The move sends the former Minnesota Vikings running back into the increasingly more crowded running back room.
Zach Pressnell of New Orleans Saints on SI gave the following scouting report on Chandler.
"Chandler is known for his home run speed. He could be a weapon if used correctly with the Saints. The former Vikings running back has ran for 710 yards on 181 carries across four years in Minnesota. He's scored three touchdowns, all coming in 2023.
Chandler should be a very solid addition to the Saints special teams unit, but he may also carve out a role on offense behind Etienne. Chandler's speed makes him a weapon that head coach Kellen Moore could use this year.
Still, this is a shocking move for the Saints to make given how many running backs they have on their roster."
Green Bay Packers safety Kitan Oladapo (27) pursues Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler (32) at U.S. Bank Stadium. Jeffrey Becker-Imagn ImagesChandler does not add much in the way of 2025 production. In fact, he had 73 carries and 229 yards over the past two seasons combined after a breakout season in 2023. His 229 yards averaged out to a 3.1 yards per carry mark over his last two seasons of football. That said, he has been a productive NFL rusher in the past.
In 2023, Chandler took 102 carries for 461 yards and added 21 catches for 159 receiving yards through the air. Now the key is getting back to that level of consistent production in his change of scenery.
According to Underhill, Chandler possesses sub-4.4 second forty-yard dash speed. It's the type of running back that second-year quarterback Tyler Shough can count on to move the chains, not only as a runner but as a security valve on check down passes.
The Saints have allocated enough resources on offense that it seems unlikely they will draft a running back this April. With the backfield now solidified, the Saints will turn their focus elsewhere.
The Saints turned heads with their most recent signing. They will look to do so again with a strong 2026 NFL draft.