NEW ORLEANS -- The New Orleans Saints agreed to a two-year contract with guard Senio Kelemete on Sunday, according to a league source. He was scheduled to become a restricted free agent this week.
Kelemete, 25, should get a chance to compete for one of New Orleans’ starting guard jobs after he started five games for them last year as an injury replacement at right guard, left guard and even left tackle.
Kelemete reacted to the new deal on Twitter on Sunday night:
Truly blessed & thankful for another opportunity.
— Senio Kelemete (@Kelemete65) March 6, 2016
Deuteronomy 7:9#ToGodBeTheGlory #WhoDat
Exact terms of the deal were not disclosed. But a source indicated that Kelemete’s base salary will be less than the $1.67 million minimum tender for restricted free agents -- with a chance to increase closer to $2 million if he reaches certain incentives. The two-year deal also includes more guarantees than the RFA tender would have.
Kelemete (6-foot-3, 300 pounds) has spent the past two years as a backup guard and extra blocker in jumbo packages. He made the first five starts of his career last year -- including his rare turn as a left tackle in the season-ending win at Atlanta when the Saints were depleted by injuries. Saints coach Sean Payton singled him out after that game for stepping up.
Kelemete began his NFL career as a fifth-round draft pick with the Arizona Cardinals in 2012. But he played in only one game as a rookie before being cut in 2013 and eventually landing on the Saints’ practice squad.
The Saints have at least one starting job open at guard this year after they released veteran Jahri Evans last month. Tim Lelito, who was New Orleans’ primary starter at left guard last year, is also a restricted free agent.
Chances are, the Saints will bring in at least one experienced veteran to compete with Lelito and Kelemete -- and possibly a draft choice, as well.