The first wave of New Orleans Saints' free agent signings and HC Kellen Moore spoke to the media Thursday and Friday. Here's what you missed:

P Ryan Wright:

• Returning to New Orleans (played at Tulane)

LB Kaden Elliss

• Returning for.a second stint with the Saints
• Growth as a player and person since previous stint in New Orleans
• The father-like impact Demario Davis had on his career
• Davis can't be replaced by one person, but the team has the right people in the building
• Elliss turned down multiple teams, but did not enter free agency expecting to return to New Orleans
• Determining the best fit in free agency
• Being part of Davis' 'linebacker tree'

OG David Edwards

• Impressions of the Saints' offense from watching film last season
• Relationship with Saints' offensive assistant Will Clapp
• Excitement to play in Kellen Moore's system
• LT Kelvin Banks Jr. has the potential to be the best tackle in the NFL
• Impact of re-establishing his career after injuries and serving as a backup
• Tyler Shough's "wow factor"
• The overlap of the Bills' and Saints' fanbases and the teams' importance to their cities

TE Noah Fant

• Shough's growth and the persistence of the coaching staff attracted him to New Orleans
• Teaming up with TE Juwan Johnson
• Impressions of Shough as a young ascending QB
• Better at blocking than most people think
• The stability at QB adds a layer of security and comfort about the future of the team
• Shough and Johnson have already shown excitement to play with him

OL Dillon Radunz

• Importance of continuity on the coaching staff
• Will Clapp adds a bridge between players and coaches to the staff
• Banks' mental fortitude and Shough's command stood out in their rookie season

RB Travis Etienne Jr.

• Last name is pronounced Ay-chan, not Eh-tee-en
• Favorite memories growing up as a Saints fan
• Keys to success on the field
• Signing with Saints was a "no-brainer"
• Gained 10 pounds the first time he came back to Louisiana after leaving for college
• Inspiration to name his son Saint
• His mom was making the case for him to sign with the Saints going into free agency
• Seeing his name associated with the Saints is a dream
• Plans to switch to No. 3 to represent a new chapter
• Authenticity of people in Louisiana is not replicated anywhere else
• Would love to play next to RB Alvin Kamara

HC Kellen Moore

• Breaking down each free agent signing
• Uncertainty about Alvin Kamara's future amid Etienne signing
• Etienne and Edwards were clean evaluations going into free agency
• Johnson and Fant have skillsets that allow them to play the same role rotationally or supplement each other on the field at the same time
• Loss of CB Alontae Taylor to Tennessee
• Shough's personality and performance attracted free agents to New Orleans

The Saints are bringing Dillon Radunz back.

New Orleans re-signed the guard to a two-year deal,  keeping one of the quiet success stories of their 2025 season in the building.

Radunz came to the Saints last March as a reclamation project of sorts — a second-round pick who never quite stuck, bouncing from the Titans before landing in New Orleans on a prove-it deal. Well ... he proved it. Radunz played a significant number of snaps and held up well enough to get a second contract from the team.

The re-signing will serve as strong insurance for a line that has needed it. David Edwards will be the starting left tackle, and there might still be a need for a center-only insurance policy for Cesar Ruiz, but Radunz is now the top interior backup and could potentially challenge for snaps if he continues to play well.

Either way, Radunz gives them a known quantity in the room — a versatile interior piece who's comfortable in the system and won't cost a premium.

It's not a splash. It's not supposed to be. Locking in reliable depth is the right kind of boring.

The Saints aren't done yet. Their fourth new addition of the day and third on offense is a two-year deal with tight end Noah Fant, as first reported by the NFL Network.

Fant, 28, spent his first seven years with the Broncos, Seahawks and Bengals after originally being drafted with the 20th pick in the 2019 draft out of Iowa. The 6-4, 249-pounder has 334 career receptions for 3,593 yards and 18 touchdowns.

More details to come ...