Offensive lineman Andrus Peat is joining the New Orleans Saints on a five-year, $57.5 million pact. The deal pays him $33 million in guarantees and should have him in New Orleans through the 2024 season. Peat spent his first five NFL seasons with the New Orleans Saints. In his early years, the Saints used him as more of a utility player. They plugged him in several different positions, including both guards, as well as both tackle spots. The former 13th-overall pick was an All-American standout at Stanford University. Peat only spent three seasons in Cardinal red before declaring for the NFL draft after his junior season.
The #Saints and OL Andrus Peat agreed to terms on a 5-year, $57.5M deal, source said. He gets $33m guaranteed. https://t.co/zZhyEoL4EC
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 20, 2020
Injuries
The one thing that has derailed Peat’s career thus far is injuries. Over the last couple of seasons, Peat has missed significant playing time after taking over as the starting left guard for the Saints in 2017. In the 2017 season, Peat started 14 games for the Saints. But, in the midst of a potential Super Bowl run, he suffered a broken fibula and a high ankle sprain in the Saints Wild Card match-up against the Carolina Panthers.
In 2018, Peat missed three games due to a sprained ankle, concussion, and broken hand, but was named to the Pro Bowl as an alternate. He also played through a broken hand during the 2018 playoffs.
The Saints decided to pick up Peat’s fifth-year option to see another year of production from their starting left guard. Coming into 2019, Peat was hopeful to play a full 16 game season with his impending free agency coming in the summer of 2020.
However, the injury bug hit Peat again, and this past season he missed six games with a broken arm but still made it back just a few weeks before the playoffs began.
Value
Peat’s greatest strength is the flexibility to play both guard and tackle. While usually starting at left guard, Peat has slid over to left tackle, often to fill in for Terron Armstead who has suffered his fair share of injuries. Most Saints fans are split on how they feel about Peat, but it is clear that when healthy, Peat can be a solid starter and will only continue to improve.
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