The New Orleans Saints have wasted little time making waves in the 2026 NFL offseason, adding yet another intriguing piece to their backfield: running back Ty Chandler. On March 17, 2026, the Saints officially announced the signing of Chandler, a four-year NFL veteran who spent his entire professional career with the Minnesota Vikings before hitting the open market. The deal, confirmed by multiple sources including NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill and the Times-Picayune, is a one-year contract at the league minimum salary—a classic low-risk, high-reward move for a team looking to inject speed and versatility into its offense.
Chandler, who will turn 28 in May, brings a reputation for blazing speed, having clocked a 4.38-second 40-yard dash during his pre-draft process in 2022. Standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 205 pounds, the Nashville native was selected in the fifth round (169th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft out of the University of North Carolina. His collegiate career was split between Tennessee and North Carolina, where he made a name for himself as a dynamic, all-purpose threat. In his final season at Chapel Hill, Chandler racked up 1,092 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, along with 15 catches for 216 yards and a receiving score. His all-purpose prowess was evident even earlier at Tennessee, where he ranked fifth in school history with 3,245 all-purpose yards and 14th in kickoff return yards.
Transitioning to the NFL, Chandler saw action in 40 games with four starts over his four years in Minnesota. He totaled 181 carries for 710 rushing yards (a 3.9-yard average) and three touchdowns. As a receiver, he added 30 receptions for 212 yards, and he chipped in on special teams with 15 kickoff returns for 386 yards, averaging a solid 25.7 yards per return. His best stretch came in the 2023 season, when he notched 102 carries for 461 yards and three touchdowns, along with 21 receptions for 159 yards. During that breakout year, Chandler showed flashes of the home-run speed that made him a draft-day darling, even if the truly explosive plays remained somewhat elusive—he tallied just 13 rushes of 10 or more yards on 181 career attempts, a rate of 7.2%.
Unfortunately, Chandler's momentum was derailed in 2025 by a knee injury suffered in Week 1, which sidelined him for a whopping 14 games. He returned to action in Week 17, finishing the season with just 17 carries for 47 yards and three catches for 11 yards, plus three kickoff returns for 84 yards (28.0 average). The injury not only limited his offensive production but also forced Chandler to fight for snaps behind the likes of Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason. Despite the adversity, Chandler maintained his reputation for ball security—he hasn’t fumbled once or dropped a single pass in his NFL career, and he’s never muffed a kick return, either. According to the Times-Picayune, "He does do a good job protecting the football. Chandler hasn't fumbled once or dropped a single pass in the NFL, and he's never muffed a kick return, either."
Chandler’s special teams acumen could be a ticket to the Saints' 53-man roster. With Dante Pettis, last season’s primary return specialist, not re-signed after Rashid Shaheed’s departure, the door is wide open for a new face to take over the role. Chandler’s track record as a returner stretches back to college, where he posted a 91-yard return as a freshman and accumulated 724 career kickoff return yards at Tennessee. In the NFL, while he’s yet to break a game-changing return, he did manage a 56-yard kick return in the 2022 preseason and has proven reliable in coverage units, notching four solo tackles and six assists for the Vikings’ special teams.
The Saints’ backfield is shaping up to be one of the most competitive position groups heading into the 2026 offseason. Free agent splash Travis Etienne Jr., previously with the Jacksonville Jaguars, sits atop the depth chart. However, the situation behind him is far from settled. Alvin Kamara, a longtime star in New Orleans, faces an uncertain future with the team. Meanwhile, the roster features a crowded mix of young and hungry backs: Kendre Miller, Audric Estime, Evan Hull, and Devin Neal—the latter a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. According to Ross Jackson of FOX 8 Sports, "The running back position will be an intriguing one to watch throughout the offseason as the NFL Draft and training camp competitions draw nearer."
Chandler’s addition marks the sixth free agent signing for the Saints this offseason, underscoring the front office’s commitment to building depth and fostering competition. While Chandler’s contract is for the veteran minimum and may look like a training camp invite on paper, his versatility and speed could make him a valuable asset if he can stay healthy. The Saints have a recent history of rostering four running backs, so Chandler’s path to the roster likely hinges on his ability to stand out on special teams and as a change-of-pace back behind Etienne.
It’s worth noting that Chandler’s career has been characterized by resilience and flashes of potential. Despite limited touches in Minnesota—often buried on the depth chart or sidelined by injury—he’s shown he can contribute in multiple facets of the game. In 2023, for instance, his four-game starting stretch saw him average a robust 4.9 yards per carry, hinting at what he could offer in a more stable situation. Yet, as pointed out by Matthew Paras in the Times-Picayune, "He struggled to earn touches in Minnesota and averaged only 3.9 yards per carry the last four years. His best work came in 2023 when he rushed 102 times for 461 yards and three touchdowns, but the big plays weren't there."
For the Saints, the signing is all about upside and competition. Chandler’s speed is undeniable, and his ball security and special teams prowess give him a legitimate shot to stick around. The coaching staff will be watching closely as the offseason progresses, especially with the NFL Draft and training camp looming on the horizon. Will Chandler finally break through as a consistent contributor, or will he remain a depth piece and special teams ace? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: the Saints’ running back battle just got a lot more interesting.
As the 2026 offseason unfolds, all eyes in New Orleans will be on the crowded backfield, where Ty Chandler’s blend of speed, versatility, and reliability could make him a dark horse to watch. Saints fans should buckle up—this positional competition is just getting started.