Saints sign free agent linebacker Jaylon Smith, release wideout Keke Coutee

The Saints hosted a former Cowboys linebacker on a free agent visit for the second time this week.

This time, New Orleans sealed the deal.

Jaylon Smith met with team officials Thursday. He agreed to terms on a contract, Jordan Schultz first reported. The team confirmed the signing Friday while making room on the 90-man camp roster by terminating the contract of wide receiver Keke Coutee.

Smith joins the fold after Anthony Barr visited Saints headquarters Monday but left town without a deal and with other teams interested.

The 28-year old Smith, who played the majority of the past two seasons including all of 2022 for the Giants, worked out for the Raiders last week. In 13 games including 11 starts with the Giants last season, he made 88 tackles and recovered one fumble.

A Dallas second-round pick out of Notre Dame in 2016, Smith spent his first four NFL seasons with the Cowboys including a Pro Bowl campaign in 2019. He did not play in the NFL in 2016 due to his recovery from surgery to repair two torn knee ligaments suffered in the Fiesta Bowl, his final game for the irish.

After Dallas waived him after he played four games in 2021, Smith caught on with the Packers for a pair of contests followed by four more games in New York.

With the move, the Saints add experienced to their depth chart that appears lacking behind their starters. Smith has played in 87 games with 69 starts over six NFL seasons.

The 26-year-old Coutee previously played for the Texans and Colts in 33 games over the past five seasons. His experience and ability to function as a return specialist were not enough to stick around heading into New Orleans’ preseason opener Sunday afternoon versus the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.