Defensive end Anthony Hargrove signed his tender today as expected, and Saints general manager Mickey Loomis announced that Hargrove will play for New Orleans in 2010. This isn't a direct denial that Hargrove won't be traded down the road, but I imagine it would now take much more than a third-round pick to land the defensive end.
New Orleans Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis announced today that restricted free agent defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove has signed the qualifying offer the club had tendered to him and will return to New Orleans for the 2010 season.
I touched on this yesterday, but I will reiterate that this is completely different that the Rob Sims situation. Sims signed his tender to speed up a trade since it allowed teams that were interested in him to stray away from the compensation designated by his tender. Seattle wanted to deal him, and they did just that for less than what his tender would have required.
For Hargrove, however, the Saints want him to remain in New Orleans. If the Lions want him now, they probably would have to give up more than a third-rounder, which is what Hargrove's tender would have required Detroit to give up if they signed him to an offer sheet and New Orleans decided not to match it. Considering the Lions didn't make a move for Hargrove when he was still a restricted free agent, I doubt they would go after him via a trade. It just doesn't make sense for the Lions now, because they would probably have to give up more than a third-rounder. To me it seems like the door has closed on this possibility.