METAIRIE, La. — The New Orleans Saints have brought in free agent Alex Brown for an offseason visit.

Team spokesman Greg Bensel says the former Bears defensive end was at the Saints' suburban training headquarters Monday.

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis has cited defensive end among the defending champion's more pressing needs since the release of Charles Grant this year.

Brown will be 31 in June and has played eight seasons for Chicago. His six sacks last season ranked second on the team.