NFL Free Agency Rumors: Saints Expected to Sign Nick Fairley

-UPDATE #3-

March 29, 2016 2:05 PM ET

The Saints have reportedly signed Fairley to a 3-year 'shell' deal in order to spread out his signing bonus due to the Saints' cap limitations. The deal can reportedly be voided after just one season, according to Nick Underhill of The Advocate.

So Fairley’s deal is actually three years, $4.69 million, per source.

— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) March 29, 2016

Deal voids if he’s on the roster the 15th day prior to the start of the 2017 league year. So, last 2 years are a shell to spread sign bonus

— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) March 29, 2016

In essence, Fairley helped team by adding dummy years to the deal.

— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) March 29, 2016

Signing bonus gets paid upfront but cap charges prorate over contract. So three years means bonus is divided. https://t.co/Wa7ncM8rQ6

— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) March 29, 2016

-UPDATE #2-

March 29, 2016 1:47 PM ET

Saints announced Fairley's deal is worth $3 million dollars. New Orleans has also built in playing time and sack incentives, good for up to $1.75 million in bonus money.

-UPDATE #1-

New Orleans has announced that they have signed Nick Fairley to a 1-year deal. The contract details have yet to be released.

-ORIGINAL STORY-

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has reported that the New England Patriots have taken themselves out of the running for free-agent DT Nick Fairley, making it likely the former-Ram signs with the Saints.

#Patriots will be out on DT Nick Fairley, an indication he's expected to sign with #Saints. Should be a huge addition to their defense.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 25, 2016

Fairley was reportedly spotted in New Orleans on a visit with the Saints back on March 17th.

More free agent news: DT Nick Fairley was spotted in New Orleans, heading to a visit with the #Saints.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2016

Fairley, who won a National Championship with Auburn in 2010, recorded 18 solo tackles last season, with 0.5 sacks in 1 year in St. Louis. Prior to that, he spent 4 season in Detroit, where he amassed 98 total tackles and 13.5 sacks to go along with 1 safety forced, which came during his career-best 2013 campaign, where he totaled 35 total tackles on the year and 6 sacks.

@Nick_Fairley251 come on down to the big easy fam...

— Mark Ingram II (@MarkIngram22) March 25, 2016

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