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.

Juwan Johnson will remain with the New Orleans Saints. The 28-year-old tight end has agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Saints on Tuesday.

The new deal for Johnson was first reported in a post on X by Johnson’s agent, AJ Vaynerchuk of Vayner Sports. Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports that it is a three-year deal worth $30 million dollars.

Juwan Johnson has played all of his five NFL seasons with the New Orleans Saints. He was an undrafted rookie out of Oregon in 2020 after beginning his collegiate career with three seasons at Penn State.

A wide receiver throughout college and his first two years in the NFL, Johnson converted to tight end during 2022 training camp. Buried on the depth chart as a wideout, he had just 17 catches for 198 yards and four scores in 21 games over those first two years in the league.

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (83) catches a pass for a touchdown against the New York Giants. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (83) catches a pass for a touchdown against the New York Giants. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

After switching to tight end, Johnson has become a valuable weapon for the New Orleans offense. Since the position change, he’s averaged 43 catches and 475 yards per season while catching 14 touchdowns.

During the 2024-25 season, Johnson had 50 receptions for 548 yards and three scores. Those were career-best numbers in both catches and yardage as he also led the Saints in receiving yardage.

Juwan Johnson is an athletic mismatch for most opposing linebackers and has a size advantage over most corners when lined up wide or in the slot. Additionally, his route tree from his experience as a wideout makes him a threat to opposing defenses at all three levels.

New Saints head coach Kellen Moore has always used his tight ends quite a bit during his time as offensive coordinator with the Cowboys, Chargers, and Eagles. With Johnson’s re-signing, he’ll have a versatile weapon that he can use in multiple ways at the position.

Saints Could Swing Big, Sign Eagles’ Projected $41 Million Lineman

One of the New Orleans Saints’ dream targets in free agency is surprisingly still available for the taking.

The first day of the NFL’s legal tampering phase was not an uneventful one for the Saints. New Orleans re-signed stud defensive end Chase Young, traded for New England Patriots defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, and re-signed wide receiver Dante Pettis

The Saints also watched as Paulson Adebo signed a new deal with a the New York Giants.

What will New Orleans GM Mickey Loomis do — or not do — next?

The Saints would love to bring in a guy like Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl-winning guard Mekhi Becton, but it remains unclear whether or not New Orleans has the cap flexibility to pull off such a signing.

Becton is expected to land something in the realm of a four-year, $41 million contract.

Can the Saints swing a deal for Becton? The former No. 11 pick is still just 25 years old, and he’s still available in free agency more than 24 hours into the tampering period.

Some are speculating that Becton’s available status indicates that he’s working on a deal behind closed doors to return to the Eagles.

The Saints are undoubtedly checking in with Becton’s agent about his availability, even if a deal remains unlikely.

New Orleans is working with an unfavorable cap situation, but that didn’t deter the Saints from re-signing Young to a three-year, $51 million deal.

It’s possible that Young was the one splash signing that New Orleans could afford, and now they’ll be adding around the edge.