The NFL free agency buzz is starting to slow down now that most big-name options have found their new homes. The Dallas Cowboys have already made a handful of additions, including signing safeties P.J. Locke and Jalen Thompson, as well as trading for former Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Rashan Gary.
While owner/general manager Jerry Jones continues to add to next season's roster, certain free agents from last year's squad are still looking for work. That includes wide receiver Jalen Tolbert, who could use a fresh start after four up-and-down campaigns in the Lone Star State.
It's hard to say when Tolbert will put pen to paper; however, that doesn't mean his next destination isn't obvious. In fact, it's fairly clear where the 27-year-old WR will be to begin the 2026 season.
Jalen Tolbert Sounds Destined to Join the Saints in Free Agency
Several teams are still looking to bolster their WR room this offseason, including the New Orleans Saints. After trading Rashid Shaheed to the Seattle Seahawks at the trade deadline, the Saints finished the season with only one wideout above 300 yards (Chris Olave, 1,163), emphasizing the need to add pass-catching help.
OverTheCap has the Saints with only $16.1 million in cap space remaining. New Orleans general manager Mickey Loomis might not be interested in spending a chunk of that on a WR overpayment, which is why someone like Tolbert could have his attention.
The 2025 season was forgettable for Tolbert, who finished Year 4 with only 18 catches for 203 receiving yards and a touchdown. Although that's nothing to write home about, he was dealing with a new offensive coordinator in Klayton Adams, and it was only a year removed from the former South Alabama playmaker posting a career-best 49-610-7 stat line, stoking the flames for a potential breakout.
A fresh start in the Big Easy could help Tolbert return to form, especially when he'd immediately be in the mix for the WR2 spot — even if the Saints draft another option. He could also be fuelled by a cheap one-year 'prove-it' contract, which he could cash in on if he takes advantage of New Orleans owning the second-easiest 2026 strength of schedule (opponent win rate of 43.4 percent), per DraftKings.
Tolbert's Kellen Moore Ties Can't Be Ignored
Tolbert's familiarity with Saints head coach Kellen Moore could also factor into a potential signing. Moore was the Cowboys' offensive coordinator in Tolbert's rookie year with the team, so it wouldn't be surprising if he played a role in the former 2022 third-rounder's selection.
Considering Moore left after that season, he never got a proper chance to work with Tolbert, and this would be a way to right that wrong. After all, Dallas' former OC didn't exactly hide how highly he thought of the wideout during his rookie offseason (h/t All Alabama's Mark Inabinett).
"(Tolbert is) awesome... I think he works his tail off. You can tell just how prepared he is and how detailed he wants to be. I think he’s going to be a really, really good addition for us."Kellen Moore, former Cowboys OC
With a chance at a bigger role and to reunite with a familiar coach, the possibility of Tolbert becoming a Saint this offseason can't be ignored. While it's unfortunate that he couldn't keep improving with the Cowboys, some teams just aren't right for certain players.
It'll be interesting to see if a fresh start is what Tolbert needs, and if he can get that opportunity on a Saints team that seems like the perfect fit.