NEW DEAL: Saints Rewarding Fan-Favorite With $30 Million 3-year-deal following

The New Orleans Saints have had a surprising few days.

On the outside looking in, it seemed like the Saints were nearing some sort of roster overhaul thanks to the team’s cap situation. The Saints had the lowest amount of cap space in football until just recently. There was a time in which New Orleans was had over -$51 million in cap space but has done a great job restructuring deals in order to keep some key pieces in the organization.

The Saints reportedly re-signed one of their top free agents on Monday by giving Chase Young a three-year deal. New Orleans reportedly is doing the same on Tuesday by re-signing tight end Juwan Johnson on a three-year deal worth over $30 million, according to FOX Sports NFL Insider Jordan Schultz.

“Breaking: The Saints are re-signing free agent TE Juwan Johnson to a 3-year deal worth over $30M, per sources,” Schultz said. “One of the top TEs available, Johnson comes off a career-best 50/548/3 season in New Orleans.”

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport followed up the report and shared that it’s for three years and $30.75 million with a chance to reach as high as $34.5 million.

Johnson has spent his entire five-year career in New Orleans to this point and now reportedly is tied to the organization for another three years. The 28-year-old certainly earned this reported deal after having a career-year in 2024.

Johnson appeared in all 17 games for the Saints and had career-highs in catches (50), receiving yards (548), and yards per game at 32.2. He also had three touchdowns on the season for the Saints.

To this point, the Saints reportedly have re-signed Johnson and Young and also have re-worked Tyrann Mathieu’s deal to keep him in town as well.

BREAKING: New Orleans Saints make another free agency splash by reuniting Tyrann Mathieu with his former partner after……

The New Orleans Saints continue to stay busy in free agency – to the surprise of some folks. They’ve made their first notable addition outside of their own roster from last season.

Saints agree to deal with safety Justin Reid

According to Adam Schefter the Saints are signing safety Justin Reid to a three-year deal. The contract is worth $31.5 million, including $22.25M guaranteed for Reid.

The Kansas City to New Orleans pipeline continues with S Justin Reid following the likes of Tyrann Mathieu, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Willie Gay Jr., and Khalen Saunders. This time around, the Saints are getting a player who is much closer to Tyrann Mathieu than anyone else mentioned.

He’s a veteran leader who doesn’t always have the penchant for making splashy plays, but he’s never going to be the guy to make the wrong one. He’s a tremendous open-field tackler and a tone-setter in the secondary, who will also offer some hidden value on special teams. He can become a placekicker in a pinch, and he’s one of the league’s best on the kick/PAT block units.

— Charles Goldman

Love Goldman’s recognition of a clear funnel from KC to New Orleans. The Saints have clearly valued how the Chiefs have built their roster in recent years and tried to accumulate some of their veteran talent once they exit Andy Reid’s squad.

Reid reunites with Honey Badger

Plus, Reid will rejoin Tyrann Mathieu in New Orleans. The latter reworked a new deal to remain with the Saints for the 2025 season. Mathieu and Reid played together for the Houston Texans in 2018.

During that season in Houston, Reid totaled 88 tackles, ten pass deflections, and three interceptions. It was a great rookie campaign for the former Texan and Chiefs.

As for Mathieu, he spent only that season with the Texans. During that campaign alongside Reid, Mathieu totaled 89 tackles, three sacks, and eight pass deflections.

They were a dynamic duo on the back end and formed a friendship. Not to mention, both are Louisiana natives. It is only right that they return to New Orleans as a combo in the secondary for the Saints defense.

NEW DEAL AGREED: Tyrann Mathieu goes out of his way to help the Saints and guarantee that he stays in New Orleans for 2025 season

The New Orleans Saints continue to wave their salary cap wand. Their latest move took a lot from one of their most beloved players, though. New Orleans could  not have done it without his cooperation to help out the team.

Tyrann Mathieu works out new deal with Saints

According to Nick Underhill, the Honey Badger agreed to a reworked contract with the Saints. He will remain in New Orleans for the 2025 season.

It’s a one-year deal worth up to $7.2 million with incentives. — Nick Underhill

This deal for Mathieu is not a restructure. It is a new deal – which helps the salary cap situation immediately for the Saints.

Mathieu has been a fan favorite for his entire tenure in New Orleans, plenty due to his superstar time spent at LSU.

Clearly, the veteran defensive back loves the city and their fans as well. He’s been willing to work with the organization for multiple years now to ensure they have as much salary cap flexibility as possible, when it comes other his deal being involved.

As for the Saints, keeping Mathieu had become a notable task in recent weeks. There were rumors that New Orleans may move on from him earlier in the offseason, but Mathieu quickly disposed of those via social media. That post has since been delated, though.

This notion from the former Pro Bowl safety doubles down on his hopes relayed earlier in the offseason. Mathieu said that that he wanted to play at least two more years in New Orleans, hoping to win another Super Bowl for the city.

Safety Will Harris departed the Saints on Tuesday to sign with the Washington Commanders. That move creates a depth issue alongside Mathieu in the safety room in New Orleans.

I would not be surprised to see the Saints add another veteran at the position in free agency in the coming days.

Regardless, the Honey Badger seems determined to finish his career in black and gold. That’s good news for both sides.

SAD BUT TRUE: New Orleans Saints miss out on golden opportunity to bring back underrated free agent after recent NFC news

The New Orleans Saints lost a notable piece to their secondary on Monday, when Paulson Adebo agreed to terms with the New York Giants. Now, another NFC East team is on the right track to take another defender from New Orleans’ 2024 depth chart.

Saints lose Will Harris to Commanders

The Commanders have agreed to terms with safety Will Harris on a two-year, $8 million with a max value of $10 million, according to Mike Garafolo.

This is a painful loss for the Saints due to need. The safety position was incredibly inconsistent last season for New Orleans, and Harris was arguably their top safety when healthy in 2024.

Harris played with a ton of grit and energy. Many fans will remember his hit on CeeDee Lamb from early last season against the Dallas Cowboys.

The veteran defensive back only spent one season with New Orleans, but huis impact was clear.

At such a low price point, it is probably a bit frustrating for the Saints to see Harris head elsewhere. It should be – at least. It’s unclear if the Saints had an interest in brining him back or not, though. Brandon Staley’s defense will look notably different in scheme than in years past with Dennis Allen and co.

On the other hand, the Commanders are fresh off an NFC Championship appearance. As he nears thirty years old, Harris may have wanted a better chance at a deep playoff run than he may have gotten in black and gold.

No matter what – the safety position becomes arguably the biggest need on defense for the Saints now. Tyrann Mathieu remains in the fold, but the depth behind him lacks upside and experience right now for New Orleans.

UNBELIEVABLE: A Groundbreaking move That Has Sent Shockwaves Through The College Football World, The No. 1 Ranked Quarterback Derek Carr in The Nation Has Committed to New Orleans Over Powerhouse Rivals Alabama and Georgia…

Derek Carr Commits to the New Orleans Saints: A New Chapter for the Veteran QB

Derek Carr, the veteran quarterback with a wealth of experience and high hopes for his future, has officially committed to the New Orleans Saints, marking the beginning of a fresh chapter in his career. The move comes after Carr spent nine seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he established himself as one of the league’s more consistent passers. Now, with a new opportunity in New Orleans, Carr aims to lead a franchise with a rich history and a promising future.

A New Opportunity for Carr

The New Orleans Saints, a team that has seen great success in recent years under the leadership of Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees, have been searching for their next star quarterback after Brees’ retirement. The Saints made a clear statement with their pursuit of Carr, signaling that they were ready to turn the page on the post-Brees era and bring in a quarterback who could keep them competitive in the NFC South.

Carr’s decision to join the Saints is an exciting one for both the player and the team. With a roster that boasts key pieces on both offense and defense, including star running back Alvin Kamara and a stout defensive unit, Carr now has the potential to elevate New Orleans back to playoff contention. The Saints, who have struggled at the quarterback position since Brees’ departure, view Carr as the missing piece to restore their championship aspirations.

A Fresh Start for Carr

Carr’s time with the Raiders, which began in 2014 when he was drafted in the second round, came to an end after a tumultuous 2022 season. Despite a strong individual career, Carr’s tenure in Las Vegas was marked by inconsistency and heartbreak, including multiple playoff near-misses. However, Carr has always shown immense talent, boasting a career passer rating of over 91, and has had several impressive seasons under his belt. His ability to throw deep, lead in clutch moments, and operate in a variety of offensive systems has made him a sought-after talent as he entered free agency.

The move to the Saints offers Carr a chance to reset and prove his worth in a new environment. The NFC South division, with its relatively open landscape, provides an opportunity for the Saints to assert themselves as a playoff contender, especially with a leader like Carr under center. The Saints have been in a transition phase since Brees’ retirement in 2020, and Carr is seen as the steady, experienced quarterback the team needs to return to the postseason.

Carr’s Fit in New Orleans’ Offense

Carr’s strengths align well with the Saints’ offensive needs. Known for his arm strength and accuracy, Carr is capable of executing both short and deep throws with precision. This should benefit the Saints’ passing attack, which has often been inconsistent since Brees’ departure. Wide receivers like Chris Olave, Michael Thomas (if healthy), and others could thrive under Carr’s leadership, as his ability to stretch the field is an asset to any receiving corps.

Additionally, Carr’s ability to operate in a fast-paced, high-tempo offense is a significant advantage for the Saints, who will be looking to integrate a dynamic and fluid offensive scheme. His familiarity with diverse offensive systems will also help him quickly adapt to new playbooks, something that could be crucial as the Saints continue to evolve their offensive identity.

Leadership and Mentality

Carr’s leadership qualities will be crucial to his success in New Orleans. Having served as the Raiders’ team captain for several seasons, Carr has developed a reputation as a dedicated and hard-working leader in the locker room. His ability to rally his teammates, stay calm under pressure, and navigate through adversity are qualities that will undoubtedly resonate well in New Orleans, where leadership is key to success.

Furthermore, Carr’s commitment to his faith and his personal values will help him fit seamlessly into the Saints’ culture. The team’s identity has always been tied to its resilience, and Carr’s mental toughness could be exactly what the Saints need to re-establish themselves as contenders in the NFC.

What This Means for the Saints

For New Orleans, securing Carr is a bold move that could have significant implications for the future of the franchise. While the team has seen success in recent years, particularly in its defense, the lack of stability at quarterback has held the team back from taking the next step. With Carr now in the fold, the Saints are poised to return to the playoff race and potentially challenge for the NFC South title.

Carr’s signing also signifies a commitment from the organization to compete at a high level for the foreseeable future. In an era where the quarterback position is crucial to any team’s success, the Saints’ acquisition of Carr shows they are serious about returning to prominence in the post-Brees era.

Looking Ahead

With Derek Carr under center, the New Orleans Saints are ready to turn the page on a new chapter of their storied franchise. As Carr looks to prove himself once again as one of the league’s top quarterbacks, New Orleans hopes to regain its status as an NFC powerhouse. It’s a high-stakes situation for both Carr and the Saints, but if the past is any indication, Carr is capable of leading his new team to success and perhaps even championship contention. As the 2025 NFL season approaches, all eyes will be on New Orleans as they take their next steps with their new leader.