Shy Tuttle becomes the second Saints defensive tackle to sign with an NFC South rival

Shy Tuttle is heading home. 

ESPN reported that Tuttle, who had spent his entire four-year NFL career with the New Orleans Saints, is signing a three-year deal with the Carolina Panthers that will pay him $19.5 million, including $13 million in guarantees. 

Tuttle is a North Carolina native who attended high school about an hour away from the Panthers home stadium.

He initially joined the Saints as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Tennessee, making the Saints’ initial 53-man roster as a rookie and developed into a starter in his four years in New Orleans. 

He etched his likeness into Saints lore against the Atlanta Falcons as a rookie when he intercepted a Matt Ryan pass, then proceeded to stiff arm Ryan into the turf during the return. 

But he’d meant more to the Saints than that single highlight. Tuttle started 29 games for New Orleans the last two years at defensive tackle, playing 44 % and 49 % of the defensive snaps in those seasons, respectively. 

He is one of two Saints defensive tackles to agree to sign with division rivals Monday, joining David Onyemata, who agreed to terms with the Falcons.