New Orleans Saints News & Rumors

The Saints were among several teams to show interest, and they will aim for a return to Young’s Defensive Rookie of the Year form — as Jordan likely shifts into more of a part-time role. Young’s next eight-sack season will be his first; the 2020 draft pedigree is likely still factoring into his value. This contract will bring a chance to provide — even in a bevy of early-window games — evidence he is fully recovered from the early setbacks.

As could be expected, Payton pursued a reunion with Johnson. The Broncos ended up with Evan Engram, but they likely helped drive up Johnson’s price in free agency. Sneaking into our top 50 (at 50), the converted wide receiver — whose best work came after Payton’s 2022 exit — also drew interest from the Seahawks. Johnson displayed strong run-after-catch skills, with 38.7% of his yardage coming post-reception in 2024, and has two 500-plus-yard seasons on his resume.

Already rostering Foster Moreau, the Saints have Taysom Hill coming off an ACL tear ahead of an age-35 season. Showing the power of the open market, Johnson collected the NFL’s seventh-highest TE guarantee at the time of signing. This is a notable guarantee for a pass-geared TE without a 550-yard receiving season. Moore did unleash Dalton Schultz during his time in Dallas, and Dallas Goedert led Eagles pass catchers in receiving during the playoffs. The HC was instrumental in convincing Johnson to stay.

Although some questions about this skill-position group’s ceiling are valid, Moore’s first array provides intrigue. Johnson’s contract effectively ensures he will be around for at least two Moore seasons.

Notable losses:

• Paulson Adebo, CB
• Derek Carr, QB (retired)
• Ben DiNucci, QB (waived)
• Willie Gay, LB
• Will Harris, S
• Shemar Jean-Charles, CB
• Tanoh Kpassagnon, OLB
• Tyrann Mathieu, S (retired)
• Jordan Mims, RB
• Lucas Patrick, G
• Ryan Ramczyk, RT (retired)
• Payton Turner, DE
• Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR
• Jamaal Williams, RB (released)

The Saints went from loosely considering an alternative path — something Carr also did — to regrouping around their incumbent quarterback to drafting his potential heir apparent to needing that second-round pick to be ready quickly. Carr’s retirement emerged not long after a report of a rumored season-threatening shoulder surgery. Even as draft weekend arrived, Carr clarity proved elusive. The Saints took a half-measure with Shough at No. 40 and announced in early May that Carr would not play a 12th season.

The shoulder saga wrapped in just less than a month, ending a partnership that extended a mediocre period. With the Jets zeroed in on Aaron Rodgers in 2023, Carr viewed the Saints as a team readier to build around him. The Saints gave Carr a four-year, $150MM contract, providing a nice landing after his Raiders release. Carr, 34, had only missed two regular-season games due to injury in nine Raiders seasons. He missed seven — due to oblique and hand issues — last season, and the shoulder problem he played through in 2023 led to an abrupt career conclusion. Suffice to say, the Saints’ Carr move did not work out.

Carr’s contract also displays the perils of the restructure, danger the Saints navigate regularly. Loomis authorized two restructures, the second of which coming in March. With a retirement following not long after, the first restructure created the bigger issue for the Saints. In creating cap space before a 5-12 season, the Saints’ March 2024 rework defrayed $40MM in signing bonus money from 2025-28. The Saints went from giving Carr a $70MM practical guarantee to still being tied to the deal two seasons after his retirement.

Processing the retirement as a post-June 1 move, the team owes $19.21MM in 2025 dead money and a whopping $36.67MM in 2026. In terms of QB dead money, the gap between Russell Wilson‘s 2024 Broncos release and the field narrowed via this Carr exit. At $55.88MM in total, Carr’s dead money sum checks in more than $15MM north of the previous second-place number (the Falcons’ 2022 Matt Ryan trade) in NFL history. While not a Wilson-level disaster, the Saints’ Carr contract presented an example of Loomis’ cap gymnastics being stretched too far.

Mathieu joined Carr in completing an offseason restructure, but the 12-year veteran accepted a pay cut. The All-Decade safety had trimmed his 2025 salary from $6.25MM to $3.5MM, doing so despite starting 17 games in 2024. Mathieu had started the Saints’ previous 34 games as well, intercepting 11 passes as a full-timer on defense. Loomis admitted the Honey Badger’s retirement was not expected, but the versatile standout chose to call it a career before training camp.

The 32-year-old safety joined the Saints on a three-year, $27MM contract following the 2022 draft, as the Chiefs had let his previous deal (3/42) expire upon signing Reid. A Louisiana native who starred at LSU, Mathieu caught on with the Saints and logged a 100% defensive snap rate in 2022. That number dropped a bit by 2024 (86%), but Mathieu still saw extensive usage. The undersized safety’s run of accolades stopped after his final Chiefs season, but the Saints stay still brought quality work. Mathieu’s retirement will leave more than $13MM in dead money — spread across two years — for the Saints.

Ramczyk’s exit had been expected, seeing as the former All-Pro right tackle landed on the reserve/PUP list before the Saints’ 2024 training camp. Knee trouble ends Ramczyk’s career. He had been part of the franchise-changing 2017 Saints draft, one that brought Lattimore, Alvin Kamara, Marcus Williams, Trey Hendrickson and Alex Anzalone to New Orleans. Kamara is now the last man standing, and trade rumors — even after Kamara’s two-year, $24.5MM October extension — figure to reemerge before this year’s deadline.

Due to the restructures on his contract, Ramczyk’s retirement — even as a final adjustment trimmed his 2025 base salary from $18MM to $1.26MM — will tag the Saints with more than $22MM in dead money through 2026. The restructures on Lattimore’s contract will cost the Saints $31.66MM this year. They sit second as a team in 2025 dead money, carrying $87.23MM.

A standard offseason departure, Adebo joined the Giants on a three-year, $54MM deal that came with $34.75MM guaranteed. PFR’s No. 17 free agent worked as the Saints’ No. 1 corner for much of the past two seasons, as Lattimore battled injuries before being traded to the Commanders last November. Adebo ranked ninth among CBs in terms of passer rating allowed as the closest defender in 2023 (62.7) and was off to a nice start in 2024, but a broken femur ended his season in October. Adebo intercepted seven passes and broke up 28 between the 2023 and ’24 seasons; the Saints wanted to re-sign him but saw a tremendous market form.

Adebo’s defection could sting, to the point the Saints looked at Charvarius Ward and the still-unsigned Asante Samuel Jr. in free agency. Ward’s Colts terms matched Adebo’s Giants deal, pricing out a Saints team that used its money to retain Young and Johnson.

Extensions and restructures:

• Reached pay cut to retain Cameron Jordan; OLB now on fully guaranteed one-year, $6.1MM deal
• Restructured G Cesar Ruiz, OLB Carl Granderson, DL Khalen Saunders‘ contracts to save $13.7MM
• Reworked contracts of C Erik McCoy, LBs Demario Davis, Pete Werner to save $14.79MM

Jordan has remained one of the era’s most durable players, but he is now 36. The Saints also slashed his usage rate from 70% in 2023 to a career-low 48% in 2024. Jordan also played nearly half his 2024 defensive snaps on the interior, but he wanted to return to a pure edge role. It will be interesting if the Saints’ new staff approves this. Because of multiple restructures, Jordan could be the latest Saints departure candidate to produce a bloated dead money bill. Because of void years, it would cost the Saints $18.76MM in dead money if they do not re-sign Jordan by the 2026 league year.

Draft:

• Round 1, No. 9: Kelvin Banks Jr. (T, Texas) (signed)
• Round 2, No. 40: Tyler Shough (QB, Louisville) (signed)
• Round 3, No. 71: Vernon Broughton (DT, Texas) (signed)
• Round 3, No. 93 (from Commanders): Jonas Sanker (S, Virginia) (signed)
• Round 4, No. 112: Danny Stutsman (LB, Oklahoma) (signed)
• Round 4, No. 131 (from Commanders): Quincy Riley (CB, Louisville) (signed)
• Round 6, No. 184 (reacquired from Commanders): Devin Neal (RB, Kansas) (signed)
• Round 7, No. 248 (from Eagles through Commanders): Moliki Matavao (TE, UCLA) (signed)
• Round 7, No. 254*: Fadil Diggs (DE, Syracuse) (signed)

The Saints’ streak without a first-round quarterback pick is now at 54 drafts. For a second straight year, they tabbed a tackle. Banks is the sixth first-round O-lineman the Saints have drafted since 2015 (Andrus Peat, Ryan Ramczyk, Cesar Ruiz, Trevor Penning, Taliese Fuaga). The Saints will roll out a lineup featuring three of those blockers, with Ruiz entrenched at right guard and Fuaga moving to right tackle — his primary college position. Banks’ arrival will also mean a fifth different primary left tackle in the past five seasons, as the team has struggled to replace Terron Armstead.

Standing as the Raiders’ backup plan in case Ashton Jeanty was off the board, Banks comes to New Orleans after a three-year run as Texas’ starting LT. He earned All-America acclaim protecting Quinn Ewers, helping the Longhorns to the 2023 national championship game and the 2024 CFP semifinals. It is clear teams liked Banks more than the analyst community, as Dane Brugler and Daniel Jeremiah (for The Athletic and NFL.com, respectively) ranked him 26th and 27th overall.

Some teams viewed Banks as a guard, as he lacks ideal tackle length. The Saints are not one of them. PFF slotted Fuaga 48th among tackles last season; it will be interesting to see how the 2024 first-rounder fares at his more natural position. The Saints enjoyed a five-year run of Armstead and Ramczyk as bookends; via the fifth-year option, they could now have Fuaga and Banks signed through at least 2028.

The Saints’ veteran-centric plans at QB span eras. Carr joined Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton in succeeding Drew Brees, a prized 2006 free agent. While Aaron Brooks was effectively a developmental player, he was a trade pickup from the Packers. As a two-Billy Joe setup (Tolliver, Hobert) covered part of Jake Delhomme‘s tenure, the team had also used ex-Ram Jim Everett (a 1994 free agent signing) as its mid-1990s starter. Dating back further, hometown hero Bobby Hebert came as a USFL refugee while Ken Stabler came via free agency to replace Archie Manning. No team has avoided the draft at QB like the Saints, who had never used a second-round pick on a passer pre-Shough.

The draft runup produced rumors the Saints would use their No. 40 overall pick to address the QB spot, as this class had been widely maligned after Cam Ward. The Saints joined the Giants and Browns as candidates to trade back into Round 1 for a passer. While Jaxson Dart connections swirled, the Saints were not viewed as interested in Shedeur Sanders. Enter Shough, who gained steam during the pre-draft process. Despite being a seven-year collegian who had played at that level long enough to be a multiyear Justin Herbert backup (at Oregon) and having injury trouble, the seasoned prospect began to appeal to teams in a bleak draft at the position.

The Shough pick came after Aaron Rodgers showed no interest in New Orleans, though it is unclear if the Saints were too interested in the high-maintenance icon. With an intra-NFC South Kirk Cousins trade somewhat farfetched, Shough quickly morphed from a player who could develop behind Carr for a year into one who would be asked to replace him. Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener remain rostered, but if Shough remains on the bench long, the Saints will likely be closely tied to the 2026 QB class. PFR readers view Shough as the most likely candidate to be the team’s primary 2025 starter.

Shough is already 25, whereas the Jayden Daniels–Bo Nix–Michael Penix Jr. contingent played age-24 seasons as a rookies. Shough went 8-4 as Louisville’s starter last year, completing 62.7 percent of his passes for 3,195 yards, 23 touchdowns, and six interceptions. The 6-foot-4 QB made 42 college starts, stopping through Texas Tech between Oregon and Louisville.

Shough suffered two broken collarbones while at Texas Tech, and his 2023 season ended early due to a fibula fracture. The Saints felt comfortable with this medical sheet, and after neither Rattler nor Haener impressed last season, Shough has a great chance to add a number of NFL starts early. Shough also secured a fully guaranteed contract that helped a host of players chosen above him do the same, representing significant progress on second-round rookie deals.

Broughton joins a crowded D-line contingent. In addition to Bresee, the free agency additions and the re-signed Nathan Shepherd, the Saints roster Khalen Saunders and 2024 trade pickup John Ridgeway. Even with Mathieu gone, Sanker joins a crowded safety crew. Howden has made 11 starts as a pro. The Saints will hope Sanker’s ceiling is higher; that is probably a safe bet, as he is a two-time All-ACC first-teamer. Blackmon’s presence will help Sanker transition, but it is certainly possible the rookie joins Reid in the starting lineup before season’s end.

Trades:

• Acquired DT Davon Godchaux from Patriots for 2026 seventh-round pick; sides agreed on two-year, $11MM extension ($7.45MM guaranteed)

Godchaux angled for a new Patriots contract last year and received it. The big-bodied DT started 67 of 68 Patriots games during his four-year tenure. While PFF did not view much of Godchaux’s New England work as favorable (by ranking him outside the top 80 at the position from 2022-24), internal NFL support exists. Godchaux commanded a two-year, $18MM extension with $15.65MM guaranteed in summer 2024. The Saints revised that pact, in what amounts to a pay cut, upon acquiring him.

The Saints ranked 31st against the run last season; Godchaux represents aid in that department, especially as the team moves to a 3-4 scheme. For 2025 at least, the eight-year nose tackle (109 career starts) should be a useful piece as Staley attempts to reignite a defense that had been an upper-echelon unit during most of Allen’s DC and HC tenures.

Other:

• Exercised WR Chris Olave‘s $15.49MM fifth-year option
• Declined OL Trevor Penning‘s $16.69MM fifth-year option
• Signed 11 UDFAs

Olave’s 2024 season brings cause for concern. The former first-round pick suffered two concussions last year, gutting the Saints’ receiving corps, but those came after head injuries sustained in 2022 and ’23. Olave visited specialists last year, as the Saints shut him down for the season eight games in, but enters his fourth season as a question mark.

Still, the Ohio State product has shown quality form when available. He strung together back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, helping the Saints after it became clear Michael Thomas would not recapture his 2010s form.

The option decision extends Olave’s rookie-contract clock, and neither party may be too interested in a 2025 extension. The Saints likely want to see if Olave can stay healthy, and the receiver would be buying low on himself by seeking a payday now. Thanks to Olave’s low attendance rate in 2024, he landed on the bottom rung of the option ladder at WR. The Saints secured an affordable fifth-year number, but the parties will likely hope a strong 2025 leads to an extension ahead of Olave’s 2026 contract year.

The Browns and Steelers inquired about Olave. With an incomplete picture and a receiver depth chart dependent on their current WR1, the Saints predictably balked. As wideout prices skyrocket, Olave could be a key beneficiary — not to mention vital Shough support — if he can avoid similar health trouble. Another concussion, though, invites long-term questions.

Another year, another position for Penning. After failing to lock down New Orleans’ left and right tackle posts, the 2022 first-rounder will try left guard. The would-be Armstead LT replacement is now likely to take over at LG, with Lucas Patrick departing in free agency. Though, Dillon Radunz brings more inside experience and could change the Saints’ plans.

Penning making that work would give the Saints a four-first-rounder armada (feat. ex-second-rounder Erik McCoy at center) up front. Penning obviously does not excite in the way the other highly drafted blockers do, as he was benched at LT in 2023 and replaced at RT this offseason. Penning’s only full season of work drew a 60th-place PFF ranking (among tackle regulars); the Division I-FCS product will now be a 6-7 guard.

The Northern Iowa alum can elevate his free agency stock with a solid contract year, as the March guard market keeps proving fruitful. Another inconsistent offering will make it unlikely a notable second contract comes Penning’s way in 2026.

Top 10 cap charges for 2025:

1. Taysom Hill, TE: $17.99MM
2. Alvin Kamara, RB: $10.06MM
3. Cameron Jordan, OLB: $9.78MM
4. Erik McCoy, C: $8.35MM
5. Demario Davis, LB: $6.92MM
6. Chase Young, OLB: $6.84MM
7. Carl Granderson, OLB: $6.48MM
8. Chris Olave, WR: $6.13MM
9. Cesar Ruiz, G: $5.87MM
10. Juwan Johnson, TE: $5.25MM

Not much is expected of this Saints edition. Even in an NFC South that has (aside from the one Brees-Tom Brady year) been low on firepower, Loomis’ veteran-heavy roster constructions have not accomplished much since Brees’ retirement. Even with Shough installed as a potential long-term option, eyes likely will still be on the 2026 draft class as a true way out of this situation.

Building around Shough or another rookie contract will be necessary to cover for what promises to be a messy cap reboot, because Loomis kept his restructure pattern going while doling out notable free agency cash to retain Young and Johnson. This formula has undoubtedly run its course, but Moore is aboard to manage it. How Moore and Loomis work together will be interesting, as will how new HC views Shough in the grand scheme. Even if hometown prodigy Arch Manning stays at Texas another year (the current expectation), the Saints are pointed toward having interesting options in next year’s first round. A 17-game bridge to that future must be crossed first.