Former Saints TE Adam Trautman blames team for his struggles in New Orleans
The New Orleans Saints made a surprising move when they traded tight end Adam Trautman during the 2023 NFL Draft. No one expected it from the outside. Apparently, Trautman expected it, though. In actuality, he asked for the Saints to trade him. The tight end wasn't happy with his usage in New Orleans and wanted […]
The New Orleans Saints made a surprising move when they traded tight end Adam Trautman during the 2023 NFL Draft. No one expected it from the outside. Apparently, Trautman expected it, though.
In actuality, he asked for the Saints to trade him. The tight end wasn't happy with his usage in New Orleans and wanted a fresh start. Trautman discussed the situation in detail.
“I feel like I was placed somewhat in a box… They put a limit on what I could contribute and I felt like I could contribute a lot more. I was primarily used as a blocker. I thought I could do more and I didn’t want to get to the end of my career and think I could have done it, caught the ball a little more… Whatever the case was, the team I was playing for just didn’t let me do it. I want a chance to prove I can do it because I believe I can and I have in the past.”
Oddly enough, that new beginning will be with Sean Payton's Denver Broncos. Trautman was drafted to the Saints during Payton's tenure with the Saints. Payton clearly likes his talent, even if he didn't use him in the receiving game much in New Orleans, either.
Trautman struggled with drops during his time with the Saints. That's one major reason that he was relegated to more of a blocking role. Last season, Trautman caught just 18 passes for 207 yards and one touchdown in 15 games.
Overall, he just never got going in the receiving game for the Saints. Juwan Johnson stepped up in his place.
For New Orleans, they may pick up a veteran free-agent TE in the coming weeks to replace him on the depth chart. Keep an eye on Foster Moreau as a potential option.
