New Orleans Saints won't tender Khiry Robinson, source says
The New Orleans Saints won't extend a qualifying offer to restricted free agent running back Khiry Robinson, according to a source.
A qualifying offer is a one-year salary predetermined by the 2011 CBA and is also known as a "tender."
If the Saints had chosen to place a tender on Robinson, a 2013 undrafted rookie free agent, it likely would have been a right of first refusal offer, which would have cost $1.671 million. That would have allowed the Saints to match any offer Robinson might have received from another team.
Although the Saints didn't extend an offer, that doesn't mean Robinson's days with the team are done. While he will be free to test the market, a source says all parties are open to him returning.
However, Robinson tweeted a goodbye to New Orleans on Friday afternoon.
"Been Real New Orleans, Best 3yrs of my life: thanks for helping my career get started, I came from nothing but I'ma end up Something BLESS29," he tweeted.
Robinson is currently rehabbing from a tibia fracture sustained mid-season. In three seasons with the Saints, he had 186 carries for 766 yards and eight touchdowns. He also had 25 catches for 178 yards.
The Saints currently have Mark Ingram C.J. Spiller and Marcus Murphy on the roster, while Tim Hightower, who was signed to replace the injured Robinson, is a pending unrestricted free agent.
