Manti Te'o and the Saints have agreed on a two-year deal to bring the former Chargers linebacker and defensive co-captain to New Orleans, ESPN reports.
Te'o, 26, is the second linebacker signed by the Saints this offseason. New Orleans signed former Carolina Panthers linebacker A.J. Klein to a three-year, $15 million deal on the first day of free agency. The Saints also retained the services of starting middle linebacker Craig Robertson, who recorded a team-high 115 tackles last season.
Te'o was drafted by the San Diego Chargers with the 38th overall pick in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. In 38 career games (34 starts), Te'o has 221 tackles, two interceptions and 1 1/2 sacks.
Last season, Te'o sustained a season-ending Achilles' tendon tear in Week 3 against the Indianapolis Colts.
As a rookie in 2013, Te'o played in a career-high 13 games. He played in no more than 12 in each of the following three seasons.
Te'o garnered national headlines while playing at Notre Dame after fabricating the existence and death of his girlfriend. An acquaintance of Te'o claimed he lured Te'o into an online relationship with the fake woman.
Copyright © 2017 TTWN Media Networks Inc. Photo: Getty Images