New Orleans Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis announced that the club has agreed to terms with free agent running back Ty Chandler. Here are five things to know about the Saints roster addition:
1. Start with Minnesota Vikings
Drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round (169th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft, Chandler played 40 career regular season games, including four starts, for the Vikings. The 5'11, 205 back carried the ball 181 times for 710 yards with three touchdowns, caught 30 passes for 212 yards. In his 211 career touches, Chandler has never fumbled the ball.
2. Special Teams Contributor
Chandler has returned 15 career kickoffs for 386 yards - an average of 25.7 yards per return. He's also added nine special teams tackles in the regular season. He appeared in Minnesota's game against the Los Angeles Rams during the 2024 NFL Playoffs, returning two kickoffs for 58 yards and adding a special teams tackle.
3. Certified Speedster
At the 2022 NFL Combine, Chandler posted a 4.38 at the NFL Combine. That time placed Chandler tied for third among running backs that season.
4. North Carolina Tarheel and Tennessee Volunteer
Chandler finished his collegiate career as a graduate transfer with the North Carolina Tar Heels. He completed the year with 1,092 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns as well as 15 receptions for 216 yards with one receiving touchdown. Chandler earned second team All-ACC honors in his one season at Chapel Hill. Prior to North Carolina, he played in 45 games (25 starts) with the Tennessee Volunteers and totaled 2,015 rushing yards. He also was a prolific returner which allowed him to tally 3,245 all-purpose yards, which ranked fifth in UT history and his 724 career kickoff return yards ranked 14th in school history when he left Knoxville.
5. Nashville Native
A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Chandler attended Montgomery Bell Academy where he was a two-time Division II-AA Tennessee Mr. Football Award winner. He finished his career ranked seventh in TSSAA history in career rushing yards with 6,158 and third in career touchdowns with 92.
The New Orleans Saints announced that the club has agreed to terms with running back Ty Chandler. Check out Chandler in action with the Minnesota Vikings during his NFL career.
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler (32) runs up field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler (32) runs the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in St. Paul, Minn.
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler (32) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler (32) during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Vikings defeated the Giants 28-6.
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler (32) rushes against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler (32) is pursued by Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Detroit.
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler carries the ball against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Detroit.
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler (32) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, in Cincinnati.
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler (32) carries against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half of an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, in Cincinnati.
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler (32) runs a route during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023 in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler (32) runs from Green Bay Packers safety Kitan Oladapo during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler (32) runs with the football during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler (32) before an NFL football wild card playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz.
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler (32) warms up before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis.
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler (32) runs with the football during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Minneapolis.
