The chants of “KUUUUHHHHNN” will ring out for at least one more season in New Orleans. According to NOLA.com, the Saints re-signed the Shippensburg University standout, John Kuhn, to a one-year extension.
The contract is for the veteran minimum, and includes an $80,000 signing bonus.
This year, Kuhn enters his 12th season in the NFL, and his second with the Saints. Kuhn previously played eight seasons with the Green Bay Packers, before the Packers decided to part ways with the former Red Raider in favor of Aaron Ripkowski.
Kuhn had 18 carries for 37 yards and four touchdowns last season with the Saints. He also caught 16 passes for 70 yards and a touchdown. Over the course of his NFL career, Kuhn has rushed for 656 yards on 216 carries, and has caught 98 passes for 642 yards and nine touchdowns.
Saints head coach Sean Payton spoke very highly of Kuhn saying, “If you need a yard, he’s probably gonna get you a yard and a half,” according to ESPN’s Mike Triplett.
Kuhn’s year was a productive one. The former Packer joined the Saints in August when the team needed an injury replacement for Austin Johnson, but Kuhn’s five touchdowns turned his part-time blocking role and short-yardage rushing game into a valuable commodity for the team. Kuhn scored three touchdowns in a game against the San Diego Chargers this season.
Kuhn has been selected to four Pro Bowls in his career, but has only played in three. This is because the Packers made the Super Bowl when he got a bid in 2011. Kuhn is also a two-time Super Bowl Champion, winning a Super Bowl with the Steelers in 2006 and the Packers in 2011.
At SU, Kuhn compiled 4,685 rushing yards, 53 touchdowns, 5,300 all-purpose yards and 26 games with at least 100 yards rushing. All of his achievements set Red Raider records. In 2003, Kuhn won the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division Offensive Player of the Year Award, and he was a three-time PSAC Western Division First Team selection.
Kuhn, 34, will turn 35 in September. The former Red Raider has made a splash in the NFL, and will take at least one more shot at a third Super Bowl title in 2017.
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