C.J. Spiller: Latest News, Rumors and Speculation Surrounding Star RB

Explosive running back C.J. Spiller  has reportedly signed with the New Orleans Saints.

Continue for updates.

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Spiller Reportedly Agrees to Saints Deal

Friday, March 13

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Saints have agreed to a deal with Spiller. Saints senior vice president of communications Greg Bensel confirmed the deal. 

On March 12, Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports reported that the Saints are "very high" on Spiller, but a deal has not been reached.

On March 11, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the Saints are now "in the mix" for Spiller. However, the Cowboys are still "lurking." 

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Spiller Expected to Take His Time in Free Agency

Sunday, March 8

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported that Spiller will be in no rush to make a decision on his future. He added the following details:

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Per a league source, the plan was and is to wait it out. Spiller’s camp believed that the running back market would be better than expected and, so far, Spiller’s camp has been proven right.

The next domino to fall likely will be DeMarco Murray. With the Bills coughing up $16 million in 2015 dollars for McCoy (on a five-year deal that averages $8 million per year), someone will be offering Murray plenty of money to come play for them. That contract will further define Spiller’s market.

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Slew of Teams Interested in Spiller

Friday, March 6

Getlin reported as many as seven teams have interest in Spiller:

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Spiller Confirms He Won't Return to Bills

Wednesday, March 4

Dianna Marie Russini of NBC 4 reported that Spiller turned down $4.5 million a season to return to Buffalo before the Bills made their reported move for running back LeSean McCoy.

On March 3, Spiller appeared on the NFL Network today and confirmed he will not be returning to the Bills, per Mike Rodak of ESPN.com. Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News captured an interesting quote from Spiller regarding where he could play next: 

ESPN's Josina Anderson reported that the Cardinals, Jets, Dolphins and 49ers are all potential suitors. On Feb. 23, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports also reported that he keeps "hearing Spiller to Jets."

Bleacher Report's Chris Simms discussed the players the Jets must target in free agency, including Spiller: 

When the regular season ended, Spiller appeared confident in how his future would pan out, via Brown:

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Obviously injuries happen and unfortunately they happened to me at a critical time in my playing career. I've got strong enough faith that everything is going to work out for the good, so I'm really not worried about anything. I know what type of player I am and I know I can play in this league. I pretty much know what my value is too as well.

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Despite the frustrating inconsistency and a past tendency to seek out home run plays, there is no denying Spiller is among the most gifted ball-carriers in the game. His best year was in 2012, when he ran for 1,244 yards on six yards per carry, had 459 yards receiving and eight total touchdowns. 

On Jan. 5, Mike Jurecki of FoxSports910.com reported the Cardinals previously had interest in Spiller and may be on the hunt for a running back this offseason after Andre Ellington was forced to miss the postseason:

The Bills have not made the playoffs since Spiller arrived, so changing scenery and going to a true contender could help him revive his career to a degree. 

If Arizona or another suitor projects Spiller to be a feature back, such expectations should be held in check. Spiller played in just nine games in 2014, and he's always been in a timeshare situation with Fred Jackson in Buffalo.

Perhaps he'd be durable enough to handle the workload, but Spiller has never had a true opportunity to do so, which adds more potential risk to signing him. Should he realize his full potential in 2015 and beyond, though, Spiller could be one of the most underrated free-agent signings of the offseason.