Saints to release veteran wide receiver Marques Colston

According to a report from ESPN, the Saints will likely release Colston, their all-time leading receiver, ahead of the new league year beginning in March.

Marques Colston was a seventh-round draft pick from Hofstra by the Saints in 2006.

Colston has been an absolute gem for New Orleans and played a major role in the franchise’s revival over the past 10 years.

Tallying 9,759 career receiving yards to accompany his 72 touchdowns, Colston has caught every one of his touchdown passes from Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees. He is really able to communicate those things to those guys just in the way that he knows the nuances of the offense. New Orleans also shipped Pro Bowl tight Jimmy Graham to Seattle last season for center Max Unger and a first-round draft pick last as part of an effort to revamp its offensive line.

Colston has groomed Brandon Coleman, who Saints general manager Mickey Loomis says is the “heir apparent” to Colston.

At 32 years old, Colston’s statistics have been on a steady decline the past few seasons, but he has still been making a fair amount of money.

Colston’s release follows that of another veteran cornerstone: guard Jahri Evans.

Colston was the Saints’ No. 3 wideout option last season, as he was hampered by injuries all year and missed three games.