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Saints new arrival Tyler Shough sends warning message to Spencer Rattler’s QB1 hopes

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Saints new arrival Tyler Shough sends warning message to Spencer Rattler’s QB1 hopes

For New Orleans Saints fans who wanted to bury their heads under a rock when the team selected seventh-year senior quarterback Tyler Shough out of Louisville, there is a ray of hope.

In theory, Shough did not get selected that high for no reason. And, the Saints weren’t the only ones projecting Shough to be a Day 2 pick. So, was it really that much of a surprise?

Besides, New Orleans was already in a bind at quarterback in light of the Derek Carr injury situation. It was either Spencer Rattler or Jake Haener, if not Carr, and neither one of those necessarily inspired much confidence.

By that same sentiment, it already appears as though Shough has the inside track on the starting job.

An NFL executive just put Spencer Rattler’s future with the Saints in doubt

For fans wanting to give Rattler a chance at the starting gig after limited opportunity as a rookie, don’t hold your breath.

According to a report viaThe Athletic, one NFL executive would be shocked if Shough didn’t take over the starting job in the midst of Carr’s injury.

As if a second-round billing, for Shough, wasn’t already enough to throw Rattler’s future in doubt, that opinion is pretty damning.

Rattler was once a first-round type of prospect before he fell hard, and it wasn’t even completely due to character questions. As he showed during a short period of time as a rookie, Rattler has plenty to improve upon.

In Shough, the Saints are in fact getting a fairly pro-ready quarterback. Injury concerns are real after he saw three-straight collegiate seasons come to an early end. But, his lone year with Louisville put a healthy campaign on display and showed NFL scouts everything they needed to see.

Clearly, the Saints weren’t going to miss this opportunity, especially with the roster in such a financial bind. This team needs an answer at quarterback, and Mickey Loomis took his shot.

Should Shough not end up working out, you can bet fans will look back on this second-round pick as a huge swing and miss. But, at least Loomis opted to take a big swing rather than banking on Rattler or Haener.

Will Shough end up the Saints’ starter for Week 1? Only time will tell, but right now, it’s looking promising.

 

 

 

New Orleans Saints

NFL NEWS: Saints Set To Sign $180 Million Pro Super Star In Stunner

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NFL NEWS: Saints Set To Sign $180 Million Pro Super Star In Stunner

The New Orleans Saints’ quarterback room is one of the youngest in the league with Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener, and Hunter Dekkers.

By now, you’ve likely heard a lot about how young and inexperienced at the NFL level the Saints’ quarterback room is. There’s been some buzz about the possibility of the Saints adding a veteran into the mix. Head coach Kellen Moore recently was asked about this very question. He said the team will “continue to evaluate” the quarterback market, but didn’t really say if the team is leaning towards adding one.

Practice performance and the market will likely dictate the direction the team goes. Right now, the Saints are in the middle of a quarterback competition that will span the rest of the offseason. As of right now, it seems like either Shough or Rattler will be the guy. But, what if an appealing option becomes available?

CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin predicted that the Atlanta Falcons will cut four-time Pro Bowler Kirk Cousins and he will then sign with New Orleans.

“Cousins was a no-show for the start of the Atlanta Falcons’ voluntary OTAs; it’s just the latest indication the quarterback prefers a fresh start after his late-year benching in 2024, the same year he signed a $180 million contract to lead the franchise,” Benjamin said. “The Falcons have so far been unwilling to eat much of Cousins’ inflated contract to facilitate a trade, and few teams still have glaring quarterback needs, but Atlanta will have more reason to grant Cousins his freedom: They can save $27.5 million by trading Cousins after June 1, whereas a pre-June 1 deal would’ve only netted them $2.5 million in instant savings.

“Outright cutting the veteran would also result in a net loss of $10 million after June 1, whereas a pre-June 1 release would’ve cost them $35 million…Potential landing spots: Saints, (Pittsburgh Steelers). Prediction: Released by Falcons, then signs with Saints.”

If Cousins becomes available, he would immediately become the most interesting veteran quarterback on the open market. The bigger question is whether or not the Falcons will actually cut ties with him, though.

Last year, Cousins started the season with the Falcons but struggled in large part due to injuries and eventually was replaced by Michael Penix Jr. It would be pretty surprising to see him join a franchise that has a potential answer of the future already on the roster in Shough, but there aren’t many options out there. Cousins didn’t show up for OTAs initially. Now, all eyes are on Atlanta.

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Alvin Kamara Rejects Massive $490.7 Million NIL Tampering Attempt by 49ers, Commits to Finishing Career with Saints

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Alvin Kamara Rejects Massive $490.7 Million NIL Tampering Attempt by 49ers, Commits to Finishing Career with Saints

— 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.

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Derek Carr battles to reclaim glory as New Orleans Saints seek redemption after disastrous 2024 season collapse

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Derek Carr battles to reclaim glory as New Orleans Saints seek redemption after disastrous 2024 season collapse

In the heart of New Orleans, a city known for its resilience and spirit, the Saints’ 2024 NFL season unfolded like a tale of two cities. It was the best of times, then abruptly, the worst of times, as the team’s early promise crumbled into a narrative of adversity and struggle. At the center of this tumultuous journey stands Derek Carr, a quarterback with a storied career, now at a crossroads, seeking to lead his team back to the heights of glory from the depths of a disappointing 5-12 finish.

The Rise and Fall

The season kicked off under a canopy of optimism. Fresh off a 9-8 finish the previous year, the Saints and their fans harbored grand ambitions. The initial games seemed to validate these hopes, with the team securing two emphatic victories that set the stage for what many anticipated would be a triumphant campaign. However, the script took a dramatic turn, as unforeseen challenges derailed their aspirations. The Saints’ descent to the bottom of the NFC South standings was marked by a series of high-profile injuries that plagued the roster, notably affecting key players like Derek Carr and Chris Olave.

Injuries are an inescapable aspect of football, a test of a team’s depth, resilience, and adaptability. For the Saints, the loss of Derek Carr was a blow to their offensive machinery. Carr, a quarterback known for his precision and leadership, found himself sidelined, watching as his team’s early season promise evaporated week by week. The challenge for Carr was not just physical rehabilitation but also the mental and emotional resilience required to navigate the highs and lows of a professional athlete’s career.

A Season of Reflection

The 2024 season, for all its trials, offered a moment of reflection for the Saints. It was a period to reassess, to understand the gaps and to build upon the lessons learned. For Carr, it was a test of character, an opportunity to demonstrate leadership in the face of adversity. His journey, emblematic of the team’s struggles, became a source of inspiration. The path to redemption is often paved with resilience, and for Carr and the Saints, the 2024 season was a crucible that forged their resolve.

Looking Ahead

As the dust settles on a season to forget, the Saints look ahead with a renewed sense of purpose. Healthier and wiser, the team stands at the dawn of a new campaign, ready to reclaim their place among the NFL’s elite. For Derek Carr, the upcoming season is more than just another chapter in his career; it is an opportunity to redefine his legacy, to lead his team back to the pinnacle of success. The journey ahead is fraught with challenges, but for a city that knows a thing or two about bouncing back, the Saints’ quest for redemption is a narrative imbued with hope and determination.

In the grand tapestry of the NFL, the Saints’ 2024 season will be remembered not for its disappointments but for the lessons it imparted. As New Orleans and Derek Carr look to the horizon, their eyes are set not on the past but on the promise of redemption and the pursuit of glory that lies ahead. The true measure of success is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. In this spirit, the Saints march on, ready to write the next chapter of their storied legacy.

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Alvin Kamara still regarded as a top 20 running back in PFF’s running back rankings   

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Alvin Kamara still regarded as a top 20 running back in PFF’s running back rankings   

Alvin Kamara is 29 years old, but still is a premier running back in the league.

PFF’s Trevor Sikkema released his annual running back rankings for the upcoming season. Unsurprisingly, Alvin Kamara made the list once again for the Saints.

The star running back may be aging, but still has plenty of gas left in the tank. With Kellen Moore running the offense, Kamara could be in for a big season.Alvin Kamara’s versatility remains his defining traitKamara was ranked No. 20 by PFF. This is one spot up from his ranking in 2024. They note how he still is very effective and versatile, but is growing older.

“Kamara was once the gold standard of versatility — someone who was guaranteed to rack up rushing yards, produce efficiently after contact and provide fantastic outputs as a receiver.”The five time pro bowler’s versatility is a premier quality of his game. He has racked up 6,779 rushing yards and 4,762 receiving yards so far in his eight year career.

He is a nightmare for opposing defenses as he can line up in a variety of places.Kamara has experience playing in the slot and as an outside receiver in his career. Even from the backfield, it’s impossible to predict whether he’s running a route or taking a hand-off.

Despite never reaching 1,000 yards on the ground, Kamara has been the heart and soul of the Saints rushing attack, especially in recent years. Some say he’s not as efficient as he used to be because he’s 29 years old. However, he was forced to run between the tackles more often then in his early years. This has caused his yards per carry to drop. While watching the games, it’s clear that Kamara has plenty of juice left and will still have a major impact in 2025.Even with Kamara aging, he’s still regarded as a top 20 running back, according to PFF.

He is set to have a large impact on the Saints in 2025. He may be 29 years old, but hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down.

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No.1 player in America, stands 8.5-foot-tall committs to New Orleans Saints football team over Tennessee vols and Georgia

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No.1 player in America, stands 8.5-foot-tall committs to New Orleans Saints football team over Tennessee vols and Georgia

In an unprecedented development in college and professional football recruiting, the sports world is buzzing over the recent commitment of the nation’s top-ranked athlete—an extraordinary 8.5-foot-tall football talent—to the New Orleans Saints. This decision marks a historic moment in football history, showcasing the emergence of a one-of-a-kind athlete whose size and skill set are redefining the boundaries of the sport.

The Phenomenon of an 8.5-Foot-Tall Player

When the headlines first broke, many fans and analysts initially thought it was a typo or an exaggerated claim. However, upon closer inspection and official confirmation, it became clear that the player in question is indeed an astonishing 8.5 feet tall. This height surpasses most basketball players and even some NBA centers, making him a true giant on the gridiron.

Sources close to the athlete, who remains unnamed for privacy reasons, reveal that he hails from a small town in the southeastern United States. His towering stature was evident from a young age, and he quickly gained attention for his extraordinary physical attributes and potential to revolutionize the game of football.

Recruitment Battle: Saints vs. Tennessee and Georgia

The recruitment process for this exceptional talent was intense. Major college programs such as the University of Tennessee and the University of Georgia, both renowned for their football programs and talent development, were heavily in pursuit. These programs recognized the potential of a player of this size and sought to incorporate him into their respective systems.

However, the New Orleans Saints—an NFL franchise with a storied history—also expressed significant interest. It’s a rare occurrence for an NFL team to actively recruit high school or college players, but in this case, the Saints’ scouting department made a strategic exception. Their interest was driven not only by his size but also by his athletic ability, agility, and potential versatility on the field.

The decision of this athlete to commit to the Saints over traditional college programs like Tennessee and Georgia represents a groundbreaking shift in recruitment paradigms. It also raises questions about the future of player development, talent identification, and the evolving relationship between college and professional football.

The Player’s Skill Set and Potential Impact

While his size is undoubtedly the most eye-catching attribute, football insiders emphasize that this athlete possesses more than just physical dominance. Reports indicate that he has impressive agility and coordination for someone of his stature, along with a surprisingly high football IQ. Coaches who have worked with him describe his work ethic as exceptional and his ability to learn plays quickly.

Position-wise, experts speculate that he could serve as a dominant defensive lineman, a massive offensive tackle, or even a specialized tight end. His height would give him unmatched reach for blocking, pass rushing, and catching passes over defenders.

The potential for this player to become a game-changer is immense. Opposing teams would have to develop entirely new strategies to contain or defend against a player of his size and athleticism. Likewise, offensive coordinators could leverage his unique skill set to create mismatches on the field.

The Decision to Join the New Orleans Saints

The decision-making process behind his choice to commit to the Saints is multifaceted. Several factors are believed to have played a role:

Location and Environment:The athlete expressed comfort with New Orleans’ vibrant culture and supportive community, which he felt would help him adapt to the professional environment.

Coaching Staff and Development Opportunities: The Saints’ coaching staff, known for their innovative approach and player development expertise, appealed to him. They have a track record of nurturing unconventional talents.

Future Opportunities:The franchise’s history of success and player advancement to the NFL were attractive prospects. The athlete sees the Saints as a place where he can grow and potentially accelerate his path to professional football.

Personal Preferences:Personal connections, family considerations, and the athlete’s own aspirations also influenced his decision.

Reactions from the Football World

The sports community’s reaction has been nothing short of amazement and curiosity. Analysts are debating the implications of such a towering athlete entering the professional ranks at an unusually early stage.

NFL and College Coaches: Many coaches expressed excitement at the prospect of coaching such a unique talent. Some raised concerns about injuries or the adaptation process, but most remain optimistic about his potential.

Fans and Media:Social media has erupted with memes, videos, and discussions about the player’s size and future. Some speculate he could become a new icon in American football, akin to legendary figures like Reggie White or J.J. Watt, but with a physical presence unlike any other.

Opposition Teams:Defensive coordinators and opponents are reportedly strategizing on how to contain a player of this stature, which could lead to the development of new defensive schemes.

The Broader Impact on Football

This unprecedented development prompts broader questions about the future of football recruitment and athlete development:

Size and Athleticism: Will we see more players of extreme sizes entering the sport? How will training methods adapt to accommodate and optimize such athletes?

Safety and Health:Concerns about injuries, joint health, and longevity are paramount, especially given the physical demands of football at the highest level.

Rules and Regulations: The league may need to consider rule adjustments or safety protocols to ensure such athletes can compete safely.

Talent Identification:This case might inspire scouting agencies to look beyond traditional parameters, focusing more on unique physical attributes and raw potential.

Potential Challenges and Criticisms

Despite the excitement, there are potential hurdles:

Injury Risks: His immense size could predispose him to joint, ligament, or bone injuries. Proper medical oversight will be critical.

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