The Saints’ stay as an NFL middle-class bastion ended last season. Two Derek Carr injuries helped sink a 2024 edition that had already seen HC Dennis Allen fired. Mickey Loomis was believed to be against an in-season Allen ouster, but ownership kept the enduring GM on to make a third coaching hire. Kellen Moore is now in command, marking a full separation from the Sean Payton era.
Ensuing developments brought the Saints closer to the elusive rebuild Loomis has delayed for years. Although another batch of restructures took place — three involving players who later retired — the team enters the 2025 season with expectations lower than anything in the Payton or Allen eras. Tyler Shough will be favored to make the bulk of the quarterback starts after Carr’s retirement, but the topic of a potential QB investment in 2026 looms as well.
Coaching/Front Office:
Even as the Jaguars’ search drifted off track, the Saints were the last team to hire a head coach in this year’s cycle. They waited on Super Bowl LIX for Moore, and the field thinned by that point. New Orleans initially sought an Aaron Glenn reunion. Glenn had been the Saints’ DBs coach from 2016-20; that would have brought Loomis another Payton assistant — albeit one he passed over for Allen in 2022.
The team then considered a Mike McCarthy Louisiana comeback; the former Packers and Cowboys HC had been Jim Haslett‘s OC from 2000-04. Loomis overlapped with even that tenure, beginning as GM in 2002. Kliff Kingsbury also drew Saints interest, but he has been understandably hesitant given his current setup and his swift unraveling in Arizona. Ex-Payton assistant Joe Brady also came up during this process.
The Jets’ Glenn hire preceded McCarthy, Brady and Kingsbury withdrawing their names from consideration. New Orleans did not present an ideal setup for a new coach, seeing as the team’s annually dicey cap situation accompanied a middling quarterback (at the time) and Loomis’ overarching presence. The New Orleans fixture has managed these yearly odysseys toward cap compliance, yet serious firing rumors have never cropped up — even as four straight non-playoff seasons have occurred.
This did not present the greatest job profile, and a handful of candidates opted to stay put rather than seriously commit themselves to a fixer-upper. Moore also interviewed for the Cowboys’ HC job, but Jerry Jones made the odd decision to promote Moore’s OC successor (Brian Schottenheimer) despite the second-generation coach not generating interest elsewhere for HC positions in over a decade.
Even as options narrowed, Moore’s decision was somewhat surprising. While the “there are only 32 of these jobs” cliche applies, Moore had rebuilt his stock after a Cowboys firing and a Chargers one-off. He had an elite offensive foundation, as the Eagles battered the Chiefs in a revenge tilt after a 55-point outing in the NFC championship game.
Jobs with established quarterbacks could have opened in 2026 or even ’27. Kingsbury is counting on that, but Moore opted not to parlay his time at the helm in Philly into a long-game play. He stayed in the New Orleans race, and while he certainly could have beaten out some of the above-referenced names who didn’t, the Saints’ preference became clear weeks before the official hire transpired.
On the other hand, Moore has seen his stock fluctuate since he was a regular HC interviewee earlier this decade. The former Dallas play-caller under McCarthy and Jason Garrett was off the HC carousel in 2023 and ’24, and although he is still young (36), the QB-turned-OC took the job offered to him. Given Moore’s 2024 work, he will carry considerable power in New Orleans. Though, Glenn and Liam Coen bring less coordinator experience and carry more weight in their respective organizations. Ditto Ben Johnson in Chicago. Moore not waiting for 2026 figures to draw scrutiny, especially as the Saints may be set for a poor 2025 ahead of a long-overdue rebuild.
Moore’s teams produced top-seven offensive finishes in four of his six years as an OC, and he operated as Nick Sirianni‘s full-time play-caller. The Eagles rebounded from their steep 2023 freefall to submit one of the highest peaks in the Super Bowl era, crushing the Commanders and Chiefs after Saquon Barkley‘s 2,000-yard rushing season. Jalen Hurts operated more efficiently compared to his 15-INT 2023, and he sliced up a top-five Kansas City defense committed to containing Barkley. Moore did not check in as a Johnson-level candidate, but he played a lead role in the Eagles’ second Super Bowl title.
Nussmeier, 54, is aboard as a non-play-calling OC. The Saints’ top two offensive minds both graduated college in Idaho — Moore at Boise State, Nussmeier at Idaho — though the two did not join forces until Dallas. Nussmeier coached in Dallas from 2018-22, moving from tight ends coach to QBs coach. He followed Moore to Los Angeles and Philly (both as QBs coach).
While Nussmeier did interview for the Ravens’ OC job in 2023, that marked his only such meeting before this hire. The Saints also had Eagles staffer Kevin Patullo on their OC radar, but Philly promoted him to replace Moore. Nussmeier’s presence figures to make a potential 2026 Saints QB investigation interesting, as his son (Garrett) could land as a first-round pick next year out of nearby LSU. This is also a reunion for Doug, a 1994 Saints QB draftee who spent four seasons as a backup with the team.
The Saints employing the core of the staff from a poor 2023 Chargers season — one that resulted in mass firings — felt underdiscussed this offseason, and Staley will now work for the coach he hired two years ago. That represents an interesting dynamic, and the three-year Chargers HC is set for only his second DC season.
A 49ers staffer last year, Staley had initially attracted the Bolts’ attention by leading a No. 1-ranked Rams defense in 2020. He did not, however, deliver a top-20 season (in scoring defense) with the Chargers, whose defense took a massive step forward under Jesse Minter last year.
Staley, 42, also shifted the Saints to a primary 3-4 defense for the first time since “Dome Patrol” was at work in the early 1990s. Staley is a Vic Fangio disciple, representing a good reference here due to the accomplished DC being the linebackers coach for that famed unit more than 30 years ago. D-line staples like Cameron Jordan and Chase Young are shifting to OLB posts, while former first-rounder Bryan Bresee is now a 3-4 D-end. Base defenses have certainly seen their relevance decline, but this is one of the more interesting pivots due to how long New Orleans used a 4-3 scheme.
Moore beat out Rizzi for the HC job, with the interim leader generating support during the process. Rizzi went 3-5 as the Saints’ interim boss. He went 0-4 without Carr, however, to close the season. Antonio Pierce‘s disastrous showing after having his interim tag removed also could hurt temp leaders’ chances — seeing as he was the first such promotion since 2017 — in the near future. While the Saints reunited a recent Chargers staff, Rizzi predictably followed Payton and Pete Carmichael to Denver.
Free agency additions:
- Justin Reid, S. Three years, $31.5MM ($22.25MM guaranteed)
- Brandin Cooks, WR. Two years, $13MM ($7.75MM guaranteed)
- Isaac Yiadom, CB. Three years, $9MM ($4.86MM guaranteed)
- Julian Blackmon, S. One year, $3.17MM ($3.17MM guaranteed)
- Dillon Radunz, G. One year, $2.25MM ($2.25MM guaranteed)
- Will Clapp, OL. One year, $1.42MM ($168K guaranteed)
- Jack Stoll, TE. One year, $1.34MM ($68K guaranteed)
- Jonah Williams, DL. One year, $1.22MM
- Cam Akers, RB. One year, $1.17MM
- Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR. One year, $1.17MM
- Velus Jones, WR. One year, $1.15MM
- Chris Rumph, DE. One year, $1.1MM
- Jonathan Bullard, DL. Signed 7/19
Reid and Mathieu did overlap as teammates with the 2018 Texans; otherwise, the former third-round pick keeps replacing the All-Decade-teamer. The Texans used Reid as a starter after Mathieu’s Chiefs defection in 2019. The Chiefs signed Reid as a younger option in 2022; Mathieu went back to Louisiana weeks later. The Honey Badger’s recent retirement now leaves Reid replacing the standout safety once again, though Blackmon is also aboard following the 12-year veteran’s July exit. The Saints outbid the Chiefs, Eagles and Titans for Reid.
PFR’s No. 18 free agent, Reid fetched a third contract that matches his second. The Chiefs also gave Reid a three-year, $31.5MM pact; the Saints, though, authorized slightly more guaranteed at signing ($22.25MM to $20.49MM).
Reid maintained this value, even if this is a slight pay cut in the grand scheme due to the 2024 and 2025 cap spikes, by being an essential Steve Spagnuolo chess piece. The versatile DB played at least 160 snaps at free safety, in the box and in the slot last season and at least 250 in all three spots in 2023. Pro Football Focus graded Reid as a top-10 safety, and being set for an age-28 season — the benefits of the three-year second contract strike again — also boosted Reid’s FA stock.
Moore and Cooks did not overlap in Dallas, but this is obviously a reunion move for the veteran pass catcher. The Saints drafted Cooks in the 2014 first round, but the then-deep threat became an auxiliary piece in a Michael Thomas-fronted receiving corps by 2016. Cooks’ trade odyssey began when Loomis and Payton flipped him to the Patriots for a first-round pick that became Ryan Ramczyk. Cooks then migrated to the Rams, Texans and Cowboys as one of the NFL’s few players to be traded four times. Ahead of an age-32 season, Cooks is in decline. But he has remained a usable piece.
Recording 1,000-yard seasons for the Saints, Pats, Rams and Texans, Cooks did not approach that benchmark with the Cowboys. Cooks, 31, has not eclipsed 700 yards in a season since 2021. After helping Dak Prescott to a second-team All-Pro season in 2023 (with 657 receiving yards and eight touchdown catches), Cooks averaged a career-low 10.0 yards per reception (259 total) in an injury-shortened 2024.
He still commanded a decent market and will give the Saints a reasonable third option alongside Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. The Saints, who hosted Gabe Davis and were linked to Cooper Kupp, will still roll out a top trio of WRs coming off injury-shortened seasons (each missed at least seven 2024 games).
Blackmon has been unable to command a multiyear deal since his Colts rookie contract expired. After a one-year, $3.7MM Indianapolis re-up, Blackmon will be ticketed to start alongside Reid. Though, PFF slotted Jordan Howden 34th among safety regulars last season — after New Orleans cut Marcus Maye. PFF, though, ranked Blackmon 30th on more than twice as many snaps (1,084). The former third-rounder is going into an age-27 season and has made 62 career starts.
Yiadom has only put together notable defensive work in New Orleans. The 49ers used him as a spot starter (five games) last season, while the former third-rounder never stuck with the Broncos, Giants, Packers or Texans. In 2023, however, Yiadom saw extensive run under Dennis Allen despite initially being added on a practice squad deal. Making eight starts in ’23, Yiadom posted a career-high 14 passes defensed and allowed a completion percentage of just 48.9%.
With Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo gone, the Saints will likely need Yiadom to start again. At $3MM per year, starter-level work would be a bargain from the eighth-year journeyman. Yiadom, Kool-Aid McKinstry and Alontae Taylor residing as New Orleans’ top CBs will give Staley a tough-looking task as he prepares to call a defense again.
Re-signings:
- Chase Young, OLB. Three years, $51MM ($27.17MM guaranteed)
- Juwan Johnson, TE. Three years, $30.75MM ($21.25MM guaranteed)
- Nathan Shepherd, DL. Two years, $8.52MM ($4.55MM guaranteed)
- Landon Young, T. One year, $2.33MM ($510K guaranteed)
- Cedrick Wilson Jr., WR. One year, $1.17MM ($342K guaranteed)
- Ugo Amadi, DB. One year, $1.28MM ($110K guaranteed)
- Dante Pettis, WR. One year, $1.34MM
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB. One year, $1.17MM
With Adebo committing to the Giants early during the legal tampering period, the Saints carried cash — via their latest jagged odyssey toward cap compliance — to hand to their other top in-house target. Young did not seem a lock to land a multiyear deal, given his injury past, but he parlayed a “prove it” contract into a nice midcareer guarantee.
The former No. 2 overall pick stood perhaps as the PFR top 50’s biggest wide card. Settling in at No. 20, Young still carried good value by having flashed brightly when healthy and only heading into his age-26 season. With Jordan’s career winding down, Young is now the Saints’ top edge-rushing talent.
The Saints missed on Payton Turner and have not seen Isaiah Foskey (zero sacks in 27 games) pan out; enter Young, who opted to stay on a team with low expectations. The ex-Heisman runner-up posted a career-high 21 QB hits (to go with 5.5 sacks and eight TFLs) last season, doing so despite working as an overqualified DE3 behind Jordan and Carl Granderson. The Saints still gave Young a 63% snap share and will ask more of him in 2025. Young made a successful recovery from a neck injury that nagged him in 2023 and is nearly four years removed from a career-altering knee setback.
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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:
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:
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:
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:
- Taysom Hill, TE: $17.99MM
- Alvin Kamara, RB: $10.06MM
- Cameron Jordan, OLB: $9.78MM
- Erik McCoy, C: $8.35MM
- Demario Davis, LB: $6.92MM
- Chase Young, OLB: $6.84MM
- Carl Granderson, OLB: $6.48MM
- Chris Olave, WR: $6.13MM
- Cesar Ruiz, G: $5.87MM
- 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.
