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New Orleans Saints free agent linebacker AJ Klein has reportedly signed a three-year contract to leave New Orleans for upstate New York to join the Buffalo Bills.
Former #Saints LB A.J. Klein agreed to terms with the #Bills, source said. 3 years, $18m. $9.7m fully guaranteed.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) March 17, 2020
HC Sean McDermott coached him when he was DC with the #Panthers.
Klein’s veteran presence will be missed on the Saints defense, as he was solid, if unspectacular, in defending both the pass and run.
AJ Klein punches the ball out and the @Saints recover the Witten fumble!
— NFL (@NFL) September 30, 2019
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It's minor compared to some other contracts, but A.J. Klein's departure leaves $1 million in dead money due to a voidable year built into his contract.
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) March 17, 2020
It’s completely possible the Saints let Klein leave in free agency without addressing the position via the draft of another signing, instead feeling comfortable rolling with a returning and healthy Alex Anzalone and Kaden Elliss. However, the former has been prone to injury and the latter is far from a proven commodity.
Considering the Saints were in on Jamie Collins, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the front office address the linebacker position at some point this offseason.