When tackle Zach Strief turned down an opportunity to visit with a Dolphins team needy for help on the offensive line last week, it looked like a signal that Strief wasn’t interested in moving on from New Orleans.
That feeling was justified. The Saints have announced that Strief will remain with the team on a five-year deal.
“We are excited to announce that Zach will stay with us into the future,” Saints General Manager Loomis said in the announcement. “Not only has he done an excellent job at the right tackle position, but he has served us well as an offensive team captain for the past two seasons and has always been a great asset in the community since he first came here in 2006.”
Strief, who fell to No. 102 on PFT’s list of available free agents when released veterans hit the market, has spent the last eight seasons with New Orleans and stepped up to a regular spot in the starting lineup three years ago. Since then, he has started all 38 games he’s played and made 15 starts for the team at right tackle last season.
With Strief back in the fold, only center Brian de la Puente remains unsigned from the offensive line that closed out last season.