The NFL free agent market has Junior Galette available after his release from the New Orleans Saints and the linebacker could have interest from the Oakland Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Cincinnati Bengals, San Diego Chargers, NY Jets, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns and NY Giants heading into training camp.
Galette was released by the team after a video emerged that allegedly showed him striking a woman with a belt and also after reports that he was an issue in the Saints locker room. According to Pro Football Talk, Galette had passed a physical over the weekend and that allowed the Saints to officially release him and now he is eligible to sign with any team in free agency. Teams may not be willing to step up right away with all that has been going on in the NFL with domestic violence, but Galette has shown that he can be productive.
Greg Hardy was signed by the Dallas cowboys this offseason and they had a major need at defensive end and for players who can sack the QB. Jerry Jones and the team easily dismissed what Hardy was accused of doing because they know he is talented and can help the team and now another team could see Galette in the same way. Galette reportedly had issues with the Saints and he previously got into a "fight" with a teammate and also had "chemistry issues" in the locker room, according to ESPN Saints reporter Mike Triplett.
Galette comes in after putting up 10 sacks last season and 22 over the past two seasons and he has not missed a game in that time. Galette has put up his best two performances over the last two seasons, recording 12 sacks in 2013 and 45 tackles overall last season. The Cowboys likely will come up as an option due to the Hardy move and the fact that the team has not had a great linebacker core over the past few years and on top of that Rolando McClain is dealing with a suspension.
The team was ranked in the bottom half of the league ins sacks last season along with the Bengals, Bears, Steelers, Seahawks, 49ers, Cardinals, Cleveland Browns and Chargers. Some of those teams could be interested in Galette, but it will depend on how much money he wants and also whether those teams want to deal with the PR issues involved. The Saints took the cap hit to get rid of Galette and now the team has to deal with those financial problems moving forward.
Galette also dealt with charges after being arrested earlier in the year, but that later was dropped after a civil settlement was reached with the victim, according to Pro Football Talk. The Saints signed Galette last year before the team needed to do so again and now they are paying the price for it. Teams are heading into training camp and with most rosters set, Galette could wait a little bit before signing a deal with another club.
Check here for more on Junior Galette and interest from teams in free agency.
