New Orleans Saints Tackle Jermon BushrodConference Call With New Orleans MediaTuesday, March 20, 2018

Is it a little weird to be back in New Orleans after all these years?

"It is a little bit, but it's a good time for the family. My wife is a New Orleans native, so she's happy. My side of the family is happy. My friends are happy and we're happy to be here."

I read where you talked to the Miami media before free agency and you said you were going to take a wait and see approach as to what you were going to do, but then this developed quickly? Was New Orleans a team that could have you make a decision that quick?

"I was really kind of at the point in my career, I really didn't have a desire to move many places. I would prefer to stay close and bring it back here and it worked out. We're very excited about it, even though it's a tough time for the organization now with Mr. Benson passing, but our thoughts and prayers are with the Benson family and this great organization. We're going to fight to do the family proud."

What do you think your role will be and what you talked about with them?

"I think initially they're bringing me in to be a veteran swing guy and that's okay. I know for the last nine years I've started in this league. There comes a time and place where you have to sit back and put some of your accomplishments and past seasons, think about where you are in your career physically and mentally, where you are trying to go and what you are trying to accomplish. I felt like this was the perfect fit. This team has everything, that arrow is trending up. This is the team that brought me in, brought me up, let me grow the way that I needed to, so I was very fortunate in that. The fact that they are giving me this opportunity going into my 12th year, to be honest I didn't really know if I would be able to play this long at the end of the day, but you just keep grinding, keep working and then a situation like this happens. I want to do everything to make myself better, make this team better and those around me better and hopefully we can hold that trophy up."

Did you see yourself as a guy who is a tackle/guard at this point in your career?

"To be honest with you, no. Two years ago when I got released by Chicago, Miami took a chance on me, being that I just came off a shoulder injury, they took a chance on me and they wanted to give me an opportunity to play. I wanted an opportunity to start going into my tenth year a couple years ago and they told me my best opportunity was at guard. I had to find a way to get it done. There were some growing pains early on, but we kind of felt like we hit our stride. There's always something to learn because that wasn't my normal position, that was a position I never played even going back to high school. So, the fact that a goal of mine was to play ten-plus years in this league, to continue to keep starting and want to be on the field, that was my best opportunity. However I could give back and help my team you have to do what you can do."

Have you heard since re-signing from Drew Brees or any of your other teammates?

"We kind of just made it official, but I have heard from Mark (Ingram) and a couple other players and guys I played with, back with that Super Bowl team and a bit after. They are sending me out congratulations and things like that, so we literally just made it official, but I'm very excited moving forward." 

Do you know any of the current offensive linemen?

"I know of most of them. I know Terron (Armstead). I've had the opportunity to meet him a few times and a I know of some of the other guys, I've watched them all on film. I've been watching them for the last couple years. They brought in a couple good rookies too. They brought in a group that obviously works hard, because they playmakers and the quarterback, receivers and running backs have all excelled. I just want to come in here and get established in the culture and help the guys in any way I can."

Who reached out to you at first and how quickly did this develop?

"My agent did his due diligence and got back to me and told me that there was some interest and we had to make sure we put some thought into my career and where we were at and for them to have some interest (from) where I was coming off last year. I did have a surgery last year, but for them to step up and come out and say that they were interested it was a no brainer for me. We got the ball rolling as soon as we were able to and we had this in the works for the last couple days and it was just about me getting here to settle everything."

You met your wife and got married all while you're playing for the Saints?

"Yeah I met her after my first year here, going into my second year and we got married in 2012. Actually, right after I was done after the season (2011-12) we got married that offseason before I went to Chicago."