This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

https://twitter.com/Seahawks/status/575425444645900288/photo/1

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – The New Orleans Saints traded tight end Jimmy Graham and a 2015 fourth-round pick to Seattle Tuesday and received center Max Unger and a 2015 first-round draft pick.

Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis announced the news about three hours after NFL Insider Jay Glazer tweeted it.

“Coming to us from a primary basketball background with limited experience in 2010, Jimmy immediately got to work in the weight room, on the practice field and in the playbook and quickly evolved into one of the top tight ends that I have ever coached, Saints Head Coach Sean Payton said.

“Decisions like these are always difficult and we wish Jimmy the best of luck. We’re excited to add Max to our offensive line. He is a tough, physical player where he blocked for one of the top rushing offenses in the NFL, he has been a solid contributor to Seattle’s success.”

In 2014, Graham caught 85 passes for the Saints for 889 yards. In his five seasons with the Saints, Graham had more receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns than any other tight end in team history. ESPN Insider John Clayton reported that Graham is expected to make $27 million over the next three years.

Unger, starting center for the Hawks, played in only six games in 2014 after suffering ankle and knee injuries.

Saints players react

Several Saints players reacted to the news of the trade on Twitter. Most expressed shock.

Mark Ingram, who was resigned by the Saints over the weekend, tweeted only upset emoticons.

Graham’s backup tight end, Benjamin Watson, said he was speechless.

https://twitter.com/BenjaminSWatson/status/575393488243716097/photo/1

Goodbye Jimmy Graham

  • NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 16: Jimmy Graham #80 of the New Orleans Saints warms up on the field prior to the start of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 16, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
  • GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 25: Team Irvin tight end Jimmy Graham #80 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates a fourth quarter touchdown during the 2015 Pro Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 25, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 21: Jimmy Graham #80 of the New Orleans Saints looks to the scoreboard late in the fourth quarter of a game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 21, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 21: Jimmy Graham #80 of the New Orleans Saints takes the field prior to a game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 21, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 26: Jimmy Graham #80 of the New Orleans Saints against the Green Bay Packers at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 26, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
  • CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 15: Jimmy Graham #80 of the New Orleans Saints jumps over Kyle Fuller #23 of the Chicago Bears and Brock Vereen #45 of the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field on December 15, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
  • CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 14: Cornerback Joe Haden #23 of the Cleveland Browns puts pressure on tight end Jimmy Graham #80 of the New Orleans Saints as Graham catches a touchdown pass during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 14, 2014 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Welcome Max Unger

  • JERSEY CITY, NJ - JANUARY 29: Max Unger #60 of the Seattle Seahawks speaks to the media during an availability January 29, 2014 in Jersey City, New Jersey. The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks will meet at Super Bowl XLVIII at Metlife Stadium on February 2, 2014. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
  • SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 02: Center Max Unger #60 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on from the sidelines during the first quarter of the game against the Oakland Raiders at CenturyLink Field on November 2, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. Unger sat out the game due to an injury. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
  • Max Unger addresses the media at Super Bowl XLIX Media Day Fueled by Gatorade inside U.S. Airways Center on January 27, 2015 in Phoenix, Arizona.