CONGRATULATIONS: Saints Legend Drew Brees to be inducted into Football Hall of Fame in 2026 and will be for himself

Drew Brees won’t need a GPS assist when the time comes next year.

He was in Canton, Ohio, home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, on Aug. 2, celebrating the HOF induction of former San Diego Chargers teammate Antonio Gates, a tight end with whom he played three productive seasons (2003-05).

He’s familiar with the location of the shrine and the treasures inside, and there’s every reason for it to feel like home for Brees, the former New Orleans Saints quarterback who has entered his first year of induction eligibility.

While his inclusion seems only a matter of formality, this year the spotlight belonged to Gates.

“It was a Charger reunion, is what it was, a lot of guys from back then,” Brees said Thursday while in New Orleans for the third annual NOLA PickleFest. The pickleball tournament, which raises funds for the Brees Foundation and is being held at the Morial Convention Center, will conclude Saturday.

“We had a great time (in Canton),” Brees said. “Saw a lot of gold jackets walking around, the guys that had been inducted, a lot of guys in our generation, guys that I played with or against through the years. So you certainly have such an appreciation for what it means to be a Hall of Famer and the contributions that some of these guys have made to the game. And even to be considered in that class this year, is a great honor.”

Next year figures to be a combination celebration of Saints and Chargers, as Brees carries a mammoth resume that stacks well against any in NFL history.

Brees finished his 20-year career (15 in New Orleans, five with the Chargers) with 80,358 passing yards (second all-time), 571 passing touchdowns (second), while completing 67.7 percent of his passes (third). He holds NFL records for passing touchdowns in a game (seven, tied with seven others), completion percentage in a single season (74.4), 5,000-yard seasons (five) and consecutive games with a touchdown pass (54).

Additionally, the Super Bowl XLIV Most Valuable Player holds 14 franchise records for the Saints, was a five-time All-Pro, 13-time Pro Bowler and Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2006.

It’s enough of a haul that, while not making any concrete assumptions of induction, Brees at least has thought enough that he has an introductory speaker in mind.

“I’ll let you know,” he said, smiling.

Brees addressed several topics as he ran down the genesis and objectives of PickleFest.

“Wanted to bring kind of a fun, signature event to New Orleans this time of year, kind of leading up to football season,” he said. “And also picking up on the pickleball craze – a ton of people in this community and throughout the southeast play the sport. It’s pretty hot outside these days, so we brought it into the convention center.”

The event required adjoining several halls of the convention center to create “a couple hundred thousand square feet,” Brees said.

“About 30 courts, and a ton of amateurs just going at it in the amateur tournament. So many people come out to support the event and participate in it. And this all leads up to a big Saturday showdown, which this year Andre Agassi (International Tennis Hall of Famer and eight-time Grand Slam men’s singles winner) is coming to town.

“So, he and I are going to actually play against some of the winners from the tournament, some of our raffle winners, some of our sponsors and then he and I are going to play in a singles match at the end. So, I better bring my A game for Andre.”

Brees said the event continues to grow, generating provision for more assistance.

“The community involvement, the amount of money that we’re able to raise for our foundation to continue to put into all our initiatives in the community, all centered around housing, health-care, education, economic development,” he said.

“We obviously love being able to host really fun events like this, that get the community engaged and to come out and have a good time but also, to be able to raise money for some very worthy causes in New Orleans.

“People literally come from all over the country to play in this event, so it’s not just Louisiana or Texas or Florida. It’s around the country, and I’ve had people play in the tournament from age 9 all the way up to age 82. It has created this huge connection between multiple generations, and it has become a national phenomenon.”

New Orleans Saints witness unexpected upheaval as tight end exits and Derek Carr retires after eleven seasons

Saints Execute Strategic Roster Adjustment with Tight End Departure

In an offseason marked by transformation, the New Orleans Saints have once again captured attention with the recent release of a tight end. This decision comes as the team prepares for an upcoming face-off against the Los Angeles Chargers, adding another layer to a summer filled with pivotal changes that have altered the squad’s dynamics.

A Season of Transition

The Saints’ offseason has been defined by significant roster turnover, signaling a strategic recalibration aimed at improving performance. While the entire roster isn’t being reimagined, the departures have indeed sparked considerable chatter among fans and analysts alike. The most shocking exit has been that of veteran quarterback Derek Carr, who, after an 11-year career, announced his retirement. Carr’s brief tenure with New Orleans, lasting just two seasons, had a profound effect on the organization’s culture and direction.

Beyond Carr’s unexpected departure, several other players have exited, revealing a commitment by the Saints to reshape their team. The latest release of the tight end further emphasizes that the organization is actively engaged in restructuring its lineup. With the regular season looming, it is anticipated that the Saints will remain vigilant in their evaluations and potential adjustments.

Anticipating Impact on Team Dynamics

As the Saints gear up to clash with the Chargers, the implications of these roster changes on team chemistry and overall performance will be under scrutiny. The coaching staff is tasked with closely analyzing the depth chart, seeking the right mix of talent and synergy to field a competitive squad.

As the dawn of the new season approaches, fans are eagerly watching these developments, pondering how additional changes might shape the Saints’ campaign. Through this period of transition, the organization is focused on refining its strategy, with the hope that these critical adjustments will propel them toward a successful season ahead.

In navigating this evolving landscape, the Saints are reminded that rebuilding is as much about managing transitions as it is about bringing in new talent, and the outcomes of these decisions will resonate well beyond the upcoming games. The path they choose could redefine their identity in the league moving forward.

The Saints have re-signed veteran lineman Shane Lemieux, adding depth after placing Nick Saldiveri on IR ahead of the 2025 season.

Originally selected by the New York Giants in the fifth round (150th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft, Lemieux has played five seasons in the NFL. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 310 pounds, the veteran lineman has appeared in 25 career games with 16 starts, 12 at left guard and 4 at center, for both the Giants (2020–2023) and the Saints (2024).

Lemieux joined the Saints on April 29, 2024, and after a brief release on August 27, was re-signed to the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster on September 25. He played in seven games in the 2024 season, starting four of them at center.

Before entering the NFL, Lemieux was a standout at the University of Oregon, where he started 52 consecutive games from 2016 to 2019. He was a two-time first-team All-Pac-12 selection and earned second-team All-American honors from both the Associated Press and Sporting News in 2019.

Lemieux seemed to be hitting the ground running in 2020, starting nine games as a rookie, but it’s been one setback after another with injuries ever since. He missed most of the 2021 season after undergoing patellar tendon surgery. A toe injury limited him in 2022. In 2023, he tore his biceps, which once again cut his season short. That year, he played just 27 snaps and allowed only one pressure before the team placed him on injured reserve.

Healthy again and back in black and gold, Lemieux brings a veteran presence and some position flexibility, just what the Saints might need to weather the storm heading into the 2025 season.

Spencer Rattler sends a subtle jab at his Saints QB competitors with a clear warning Message

Spencer Rattler wasn’t shy about how he felt during training camp with the New Orleans Saints, sending an indirect warning to his competitors for the QB1 spot heading into the 2025 NFL season.

The New Orleans Saints ended the 2024 NFL season with a disappointing 5‑12 record, which led to the unexpected retirement of veteran quarterback Derek Carr. Following that announcement, the franchise now finds itself in the middle of a three-way battle for the starting job between Spencer Rattler, Tyler Shough, and Jake Haener.

New Saints head coach Kellen Moore built an offensive staff focused on quarterback development and gave the green light to an open competition for the starting role. It was expected that the team’s future would revolve around a young quarterback, either Rattler or the rookie Shough.
The Saints selected Shough in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, showing confidence in his long-term potential as a leader. Although he was initially listed as QB1 on the depth chart, the battle is far from over, and the competition remains open between him, Haener, and Rattler, who recently sent a strong message to his fellow quarterbacks.

Rattler’s message to the Saints and his QB competitors

“I know what I bring to the table. I was confident in what I can do in this competition. I feel like that brings the best out of me. And I feel like throughout this camp, I’ve been the best quarterback on the field,” Rattler said in an interview with Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports.

So I want to keep that going and keep showing the team, keep showing the guys, keep showing the coaches that I want to be that guy,” Rattler concluded about his performance in training camp heading into the upcoming season, making it clear he feels ahead of the rest of the quarterbacks on the roster.

BAD NEWS: Kellen Moore shares Saints injury updates for Superstar…….

New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore shared a handful of medical updates after Saturday’s training camp practice. He started with the bad news for third-year guard Nick Saldiveri.

“Nick Saldiveri’s going to I.R., he’ll be transitioning there. He unfortunately had a knee injury,” Moore told reporters after practice, officially confirming that the team re-signed Shane Lemieux as a replacement. As for other injuries, he added, “J.T.’s still not practicing. And then the limited guys: Devin Neal, John Ridgeway III, Landon Young, and Juwan (Johnson). Those guys had some limitations today but nothing overly concerning there.”

Because he’s being sent to injured reserve during training camp, Saldiveri is done for the season. Moore said the knee injury happened during an indoor practice session on Thursday. Veteran defensive tackle Khalen Saunders was also absent on Saturday but Moore said he was excused for personal reasons.

It’s a really tough break for a young player who has dealt with a lot of injuries in his career so far. At different points Saldiveri has undergone calf and shoulder surgeries, and his 2024 season ended with a knee injury. It isn’t immediately clear whether it’s the same knee or a related condition. He’s under contract for one more year after this season but Saldiveri may have played his last rep in New Orleans. Good luck to him in recovery.