Asante Samuel Jr. Taking Measured Approach to NFL Return After Neck Surgery

Veteran cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. is pumping the brakes on signing with a new team, choosing caution over urgency as he recovers from offseason neck surgery. Samuel, one of the more notable free agents remaining on the market, visited the New Orleans Saints on Monday but is not expected to make a final decision on his NFL future until after a key medical check-up in early July.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Samuel underwent surgery in April to address a neck issue that had limited him to just four games during the 2024 season with the Los Angeles Chargers. Initially described as a shoulder injury, Samuel later clarified it was a stinger aggravated by a preexisting condition he’s had since birth.

The former second-round pick is aiming for a return in the 2025 season, but his current focus is on getting medical clearance before entertaining serious offers. Multiple teams, including the Saints and reportedly the Atlanta Falcons, are monitoring his status closely.

Injuries derailed what had been a promising start to the 2024 campaign for the 25-year-old, who had been expected to anchor the Chargers’ secondary. Prior to his injury-shortened season, Samuel had accumulated 176 tackles, six interceptions, and 37 pass breakups in 50 career games (47 starts). He earned particular acclaim for his three-interception performance in the Chargers' 2022 playoff game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Despite his knack for playmaking, Samuel's physical style has at times left him vulnerable to injury, and his tackling technique—especially taking poor pursuit angles—has drawn scrutiny from scouts. Still, his ability to track the ball and disrupt passing lanes remains a coveted skill in a league always hungry for quality cornerbacks.

For a team like Atlanta, which failed to upgrade its outside cornerback group during the 2025 NFL Draft, Samuel represents a potential high-upside signing—if he’s healthy. The Falcons are currently expected to roll into the season with the same starting corners who ranked 22nd in pass defense last year.

With undrafted rookies like Dontae Manning and Kansas product Cobee Bryant likely to compete for depth roles (the latter expected to play primarily in the slot), Atlanta and other corner-needy teams may keep a close eye on Samuel’s medical update this summer.

Until then, Samuel remains one of the most intriguing free agents still on the board—one whose next move may hinge less on team fit and more on a clean bill of health.