Saints veterans like what they see from Kellen Moore: ‘It’s culture over everything’

Justin Reid is impressed by Kellen Moore’s first months on the job

The New Orleans Saints didn’t make a ton of high-profile additions in free agency, but their biggest pickup was veteran safety Justin Reid. Reid spoke with local media after the team’s second open practice at organized team activities, and he expressed confidence that first-year head coach Kellen Moore is running things the right way.

“First and foremost, it’s culture over everything,” Reid said, as transcribed by Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith. “The culture that’s built here and Coach Kellen, they just won the Super Bowl last year with Philly. He brought his strength staff over and a lot of those guys are familiar with winning. We have a lot of guys here who are familiar with winning. But the great thing, because I’ve been on mediocre teams, I’ve been on bad teams, I’ve been on great teams. And the culture in this locker room is right right now. We’ve got guys that believe in the system, that buy in. We don’t have bad character guys. And that’s the first step that you need in order to build a real team to go out and win.”

Described as a “world class tone-setter,” Reid signed a three-year deal with the Saints this offseason just months after Moore and the Philadelphia Eagles beat Reid’s Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. So he knows what Moore is capable of as a play caller. Seeing the first-time head coach running practice every day has won him over.

Reid also likened his experience at OTA’s as more like what he’s seen at the college level than on some other teams he’s played for — coaches are preaching fundamentals, attention to detail, and emphasizing the importance of their strength and conditioning program. The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement limits what teams can do at this time of the year, but from where Reid stands, his team is focusing on the right things.

After a series of years where the Saints were dysfunctional on the field, led by an unpopular quarterback and with so many younger players making mistakes and not lining up at the right spots, it makes sense that Moore is working to right the ship. We’ve seen too many players sidelined by injuries in recent years, too, and he’s taken action to better prepare his guys for Sundays. Let’s hope it makes a difference and the positive culture Reid sees building in front of him results in plenty of wins this season.

New Orleans Saints Tagged As No. 1 Destination For Top CB with Agreement set to follow……

The Saints still have enough cap space to make another move in free agency…

The New Orleans Saints’ cornerback room could still use another reinforcement or two and recently hosted one of the most interesting free agents available on the open market.

2021 National Football League second-round pick Asante Samuel Jr. is available right now after spending the last four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers. Unfortunately, he was only able to play in four games last year due to a shoulder injury. He also underwent neck surgery in April.

Samuel has visited with the Saints this offseason already, but a deal didn’t come to fruition. While this is the case, USA Today’s Tyler Dragon still tabbed New Orleans as the best fit for Samuel.

“No. 7. Asante Samuel Jr., CB (2024 team: Chargers),” Dragon said. “Samuel played just four games before a shoulder injury sidelined him for the remainder of 2024. He allowed under a 63% completion percentage when targeted in his first three seasons. He’s lined up mainly as an outside corner but can play in the slot.

“Best fit: The Saints had the NFL’s 27th-ranked pass defense a year ago. Are Kool-Aid McKinstry and Alontae Taylor both ready to be starting cornerbacks? The Saints did reportedly bring Samuel in for a visit.”

Samuel is just 24 years old and has shown a lot of promise, but it’s tough to predict how he will look in 2025 after playing in just four games last year. The Saints are thin at corner and Samuel could be a low-cost/high-reward fit.

New Orleans Saints Star, Alvin Kamara has declined a tampering move made by the 49ers to Lure him into the transfer portal. Kamara blatantly turned down a tempting $490.7 Million Nil offer

New Orleans, LA — In one of the boldest displays of loyalty seen in the modern era of sports, New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara has stunned the football world by rejecting a jaw-dropping $490.7 million NIL-linked offer that was reportedly connected to an aggressive tampering move by the San Francisco 49ers.

The offer, which would have shattered records across both collegiate and professional NIL valuations, was

described by sources as a calculated attempt to lure Kamara away from the Saints organization via creative, third-party financial arrangements.

The 29-year-old star, who has been the heart and soul of the Saints offense since being drafted in 2017, has made it crystal clear: he’s not going anywhere.

“Built for the Bayou — Not the Bay”

At a hastily assembled press conference at the Saints’ training facility, Kamara addressed the rumors head-on.

“This city made me. This team gave me my opportunity. I’m loyal to the soil — and no amount of money, no amount of Silicon Valley temptation is going to change that,” Kamara said. “I’m built for the Bayou, not the Bay. I’m finishing what I started, right here with the New Orleans Saints.”

The 49ers’ approach allegedly came through a network of NIL agencies, brand managers, and investment partners with connections to major California-based corporations. Sources close to the negotiations revealed the $490.7 million package would have included:

An NIL-style endorsement mega-deal involving Apple Sports and Meta

Equity ownership in a rising Bay Area tech startup focused on athlete data analytics

A new personal brand label, “AK Elite,” with co-branded merchandise opportunities

Luxury accommodations and a custom-designed offseason training facility in Napa Valley

A strategic plan to transition Kamara into sports media broadcasting after football

Despite the offer being structured to avoid direct NFL contract tampering, it raised serious ethical questions about how NIL is now blurring lines between college, pro, and third-party influence.

NFL Launches Tampering Investigation

Following Kamara’s public refusal of the deal, league officials have confirmed that an official tampering investigation has been opened.

According to NFL spokesperson David Weisman, the league is “evaluating whether third-party NIL-related inducements offered to an active NFL player under contract constitute a violation of tampering rules.

While NIL was born in the NCAA realm, the recent expansion of athlete branding, licensing, and private equity participation has raised legal gray areas that the NFL is now forced to confront.

“We are committed to protecting team-player relationships and ensuring integrity in player transactions,” Weisman stated. “This situation is new territory, and we are treating it with the seriousness it warrants.”

Saints Organization Responds

Saints Head Coach Dennis Allen praised Kamara’s loyalty, calling him “the heartbeat of this team and this city.”

“This locker room, this fanbase — they believe in Alvin because he’s always been about more than football,” Allen said. “He leads with his heart, and today, he showed just how deep that loyalty runs.”

Team General Manager Mickey Loomis echoed those sentiments, noting the Saints are working closely with Kamara’s management team to ensure he is “fairly protected and compensated” amid this rising NIL storm.

Kamara is currently under a $75 million deal with the Saints, not including his independently-managed endorsement portfolio, which is estimated to be worth another $100 million. The 49ers’ attempt would have more than doubled that total.

Fans Celebrate Kamara’s Loyalty

In a sports world increasingly dominated by contracts, endorsements, and brand deals, Kamara’s decision has sparked a wave of admiration from Saints fans and the broader NFL community.

Social media erupted with gratitude, as #LoyalToTheSoil and #AKForever trended within minutes of Kamara’s announcement.

“This dude just turned down half a billion dollars to stay with us. He IS New Orleans,” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter).

Others called him a “throwback” to a time when athletes valued team culture and fan loyalty over dollar signs.

What This Means for the Future of NIL and the NFL

Kamara has opened the floodgates for debate across sports media. Could NIL mechanisms eventually erode player-team loyalty in the NFL? Is this a wake-up call for the league to regulate NIL-style deals for professionals?

NFL legend and former Saints quarterback Drew Brees weighed in on NBC:

“Alvin just showed why he’s different. That’s not just a teammate — that’s a leader. But the league needs to get ahead of this. NIL was built for college athletes, not to become backdoor recruitment tools in the pros.”

Kamara’s Final Word

Before leaving the podium, Kamara offered one last message — not to the 49ers, but to the fans of New Orleans:

“Y’all believed in me before the highlights and the headlines. You stuck with me in wins and losses. I’m sticking with y’all ‘til the last whistle.”

And with that, Alvin Kamara proved that in a world of billion-dollar temptations, loyalty still has a place — especially in New Orleans.

Jadeveon Clowney could be the missing spark in the New Orleans Saints’ faltering pass rush as they eye NFC South dominance.

A Potential Game-Changer for the Saints’ Pass Rush

In the ever-competitive landscape of the NFC South, the New Orleans Saints find themselves at a crossroads. With over $22 million in cap space available, the team faces a pivotal decision: should they invest in bolstering their pass rush to reclaim dominance in their division? Amidst this strategic deliberation, the name Jadeveon Clowney emerges as a potential catalyst for change.

The Saints’ Defensive Dilemma

The Saints’ pass-rushing capabilities have been a point of contention in recent seasons. In 2024, they ranked a middling 18th in the league with 39 sacks and a pressure rate of 33.6%. More concerning, however, was their 30th-place finish in pass rush win rate, underscoring a pressing need for reinforcements. Despite re-signing Chase Young, the front office has yet to make significant upgrades to their defensive line, leaving the team reliant on the aging Cam Jordan and the promising yet unproven Isaiah Foskey.

Jadeveon Clowney: A Proven Performer

Enter Jadeveon Clowney, a three-time Pro Bowler with a track record of disrupting offenses. In 2024, Clowney played for the Carolina Panthers, recording 5.5 sacks in 14 games. His previous season with the Baltimore Ravens was even more impressive, as he notched 9.5 sacks over 17 games. Since 2021, Clowney has amassed 197 pressures, 54 quarterback hits, and 26 sacks, maintaining a commendable 13.3 percent pressure rate. His consistent performance and familiarity with the NFC South make him an enticing prospect for the Saints.

Assessing the Fit and Financials

The Saints must weigh the potential benefits of adding Clowney against the financial implications. While his acquisition appears affordable given the team’s current cap space, the decision hinges on whether the Saints are willing to invest further in their quest for divisional supremacy. Clowney’s ability to complement Young and Granderson on the edge could provide the spark needed to elevate the Saints’ defense to new heights.

Looking Ahead: Strategic Decisions for the Saints

As the Saints contemplate their next move, they must consider the broader implications of their decision. Securing Clowney could not only enhance their pass rush but also send a clear signal of their intent to compete at the highest level. The potential addition of Clowney represents more than just a tactical maneuver; it embodies a commitment to excellence and a desire to reclaim their place atop the NFC South.

In conclusion, the Saints stand at a pivotal juncture, with Jadeveon Clowney representing a potential turning point in their defensive strategy. Whether they choose to pursue this opportunity will shape their trajectory in the seasons to come, offering a glimpse into the team’s ambitions and their resolve to rise to the challenges that lie ahead.

Kellen Moore aims to revive New Orleans Saints’ glory as culture transforms under new leadership

In the heart of New Orleans, a new era beckons for the Saints, with Kellen Moore at the helm, aiming to steer the team back to its former glory. Moore, freshly minted from his tenure as the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, where he played a pivotal role in clinching Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs, has now taken the reins as the head coach of the Saints. His arrival in New Orleans marks a significant turning point for a team eager to rebound from a challenging 2024 season.

A New Culture Under Moore’s Leadership

Kellen Moore’s transition to head coach has been met with an air of optimism within the Saints’ camp. The infusion of new talent, including the acquisition of safety Justin Reid, a two-time Super Bowl champion himself, underscores the franchise’s commitment to revitalizing its roster. Reid’s insights into the early days of Moore’s tenure shed light on a palpable shift in the team’s culture and work ethic. “First and foremost, it’s culture over everything,” Reid emphasized, highlighting the winning mentality Moore and his staff have imported from Philadelphia. This fresh perspective is not just about strategies and playbooks but fostering an environment where players are fully invested in the team’s vision and ethos.

Reid’s comparison of his experiences across different teams underscores the importance of a positive locker room culture. He notes the immediate impact of Moore’s approach, likening the intensity and focus of the offseason training activities to a collegiate program, which he believes resonates with the true spirit of the sport. This meticulous attention to detail and conditioning signals a return to foundational principles, aiming to build a resilient and cohesive unit.

Challenges and Expectations

Despite the optimism, the road ahead for Moore and the Saints is fraught with challenges. Transforming a team’s fortunes requires more than just a change in leadership; it demands perseverance, adaptability, and a collective belief in the new direction. The early signs of a cultural shift and a commitment to excellence are promising, yet the true test will come as the season progresses.

The arrival of Moore and players like Reid is a testament to the Saints’ ambition to not just compete but to emerge as contenders once again. It’s a journey that will test their resolve, challenge their limits, and ultimately reveal the strength of their character.

A New Chapter Awaits

As the New Orleans Saints embark on this revitalizing journey under Kellen Moore’s guidance, the anticipation and expectations are palpable. The blend of experienced winners and a fresh, disciplined approach to the game sets the stage for a compelling narrative in the coming seasons. Moore’s vision for the Saints is not just about recapturing past glories but laying the groundwork for sustained success and resilience.

In the end, the measure of this new chapter for the Saints will not solely be the wins and losses but the spirit and unity with which they face the challenges ahead. With a leader like Moore at the helm, the Saints are not just aiming to rebuild but to redefine what it means to be a champion, both on and off the field. The journey ahead is as much about rediscovering their identity as it is about securing victories, making it a thrilling prospect for players and fans alike.