Saints Trade Punter Kai Kroeger to Texans for Draft Pick Swap

New Orleans signs Ryan Wright to 4-year, $14M deal to handle punting duties

Mar. 10, 2026 at 10:19pm

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The New Orleans Saints have traded last year's starting punter Kai Kroeger to the Houston Texans in exchange for a pick swap in the 2028 NFL Draft. The Saints will send their 7th-round pick to the Texans in return for the Texans' 6th-round selection that year. This move comes a day after the Saints signed free agent punter Ryan Wright to a 4-year, $14 million contract to take over their punting responsibilities.

Why it matters

The Saints were looking to upgrade their special teams unit after Kroeger's inconsistent rookie season, which included two punts being blocked. Wright, who was 8th in the NFL in yards per punt and 4th in net yards per punt for the Vikings in 2025, is expected to provide a significant boost to the Saints' punting game.

The details

Kroeger started all 17 games for the Saints in 2025, averaging 44.8 yards per punt (30th in the NFL) and 37.3 net yards per punt (31st). The Saints agreed to a 4-year, $14 million deal with free agent punter Ryan Wright on Monday, the first day of the league's negotiation period. Wright was 8th in the NFL in 2025 with 49.0 yards per punt and 4th with 44.5 net yards per punt while with the Minnesota Vikings.

  • The Saints traded Kai Kroeger to the Texans on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
  • The Saints signed Ryan Wright to a 4-year, $14 million contract on Monday, March 9, 2026.

The players

Kai Kroeger

The Saints' starting punter in 2025, who was traded to the Houston Texans.

Ryan Wright

A free agent punter who signed a 4-year, $14 million contract with the Saints to take over their punting duties.

Houston Texans

The NFL team that acquired punter Kai Kroeger from the Saints in a draft pick swap.

New Orleans Saints

The NFL team that traded punter Kai Kroeger to the Texans and signed free agent punter Ryan Wright.

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What’s next

The Saints and Texans will complete the draft pick swap in the 2028 NFL Draft.

The takeaway

This trade shows the Saints' commitment to improving their special teams by bringing in a more consistent and productive punter in Ryan Wright, while also netting an additional draft pick in the process.