The New Orleans Saints are cutting ties with tight end Jeremy Shockey.
Jay Glazer of FOX Sports first reported that the Saints are terminating Shockey’s contract, and the Saints have confirmed the move.
“It’s a business, I understand,” Shockey told ESPN’s Rachel Nichols. “I’ll just go play hard for someone else. Whoever gets me it’s going to be a steal.”
Shockey has long been a favorite of Saints coach Sean Payton, who was the Giants’ offensive coordinator in 2002, when Shockey was the Giants’ first-round draft pick. So in that respect this move may seem like a surprise.
But the Saints loved the production that rookie tight end Jimmy Graham had in 2010, so it’s not a shock that Shockey is being let go to make room for Graham as the new No. 1 tight end in New Orleans.