Saints add speedy veteran running back to strengthen rushing attack

New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis announced that the club has agreed to terms with free agent running backTy Chandler. Here are five things to know about the Saints roster addition:

Ty Chandler

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RB

• Height: 5-11
• Weight: 205 lbs
• College: North Carolina

Drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round (169th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft, Chandler played 40 career regular season games, including four starts, for the Vikings. The 5'11, 205 back carried the ball 181 times for 710 yards with three touchdowns, caught 30 passes for 212 yards. In his 211 career touches, Chandler has never fumbled the ball.

Chandler has returned 15 career kickoffs for 386 yards - an average of 25.7 yards per return. He's also added nine special teams tackles in the regular season. He appeared in Minnesota's game against the Los Angeles Rams during the 2024 NFL Playoffs, returning two kickoffs for 58 yards and adding a special teams tackle.

At the 2022 NFL Combine, Chandler posted a 4.38 at the NFL Combine. That time placed Chandler tied for third among running backs that season.

Chandler finished his collegiate career as a graduate transfer with the North Carolina Tar Heels. He completed the year with 1,092 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns as well as 15 receptions for 216 yards with one receiving touchdown. Chandler earned second team All-ACC honors in his one season at Chapel Hill. Prior to North Carolina, he played in 45 games (25 starts) with the Tennessee Volunteers and totaled 2,015 rushing yards. He also was a prolific returner which allowed him to tally 3,245 all-purpose yards, which ranked fifth in UT history and his 724 career kickoff return yards ranked 14th in school history when he left Knoxville.

A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Chandler attended Montgomery Bell Academy where he was a two-time Division II-AA Tennessee Mr. Football Award winner. He finished his career ranked seventh in TSSAA history in career rushing yards with 6,158 and third in career touchdowns with 92.

New Orleans Saints