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[New Orleans Saints]

Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu has announced his retirement from the NFL

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

A shocking moment of the offseason.

The New Orleans Saints have undergone numerous changes this offseason, including staff firings, player departures, and a shocking retirement from starting quarterback Derek Carr. Still, other important players remained or were brought back, which allowed for a bit of continuity needed for a young team. One of the positions where this rang true was the safety group, but today, in another shocking turn of events, Tyrann Mathieu has announced his retirement from the NFL.

Tyrann Mathieu has announced his retirement from the NFL: pic.twitter.com/8vgHs646wI

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 22, 2025​

Throughout his college and professional career, Tyrann Mathieu has been one of the best safeties in the game. For the Saints, this will be a massive loss to a part of the defense that the team probably felt confident about. In addition, the Justin Reid signing looks even better, and if that move were not made, this safety group would be in trouble. When focusing on the other players on the roster, third-round NFL Draft pick Jonas Sanker should have a massive role this season, and he will be tested immediately.

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...ieu-has-announced-his-retirement-from-the-nfl

 

[New Orleans Saints]

Saints to sign free agent S Julian Blackmon

Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images

New Orleans wasted no time addressing the sudden void left in the secondary.

Following the unexpected retirement of future Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Tyrann Mathieu, the New Orleans Saints are signing former Indianapolis Colts S Julian Blackmon, per Ian Rapoport.

The #Saints have found their replacement for the Honey Badger, as they are signing #Colts FA S Julian Blackmon, sources say.

Tyrann Mathieu’s retirement today led to a pre-camp roster move. pic.twitter.com/d24maKSHaJ

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 23, 2025​

Blackmon, just 26 years old, has been a cornerstone of the Colts’ secondary for the past five seasons. He’s recorded 10 interceptions, 9 pass breakups, 243 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble throughout his career—and perhaps most notably, 64 run stops. That’s significant for a Saints defense that allowed 4.9 yards per carry in 2024, the second-worst mark league-wide behind the Carolina Panthers’ 5.2.

At 6-foot, 202 pounds, Blackmon brings a noticeable difference in size compared to the 5-foot-9, 190-pound Mathieu. And while the Honey Badger’s impact is second to none from a leadership and teammate perspective, the Saints may have bolstered their defense with this signing—especially considering the inevitable decline of the 33-year-old.

Mathieu, an LSU legend and the Saints’ 2023 Man of the Year, didn’t miss a single game in his three seasons wearing the Black and Gold. His shoes will be nearly impossible to fill.

But Blackmon is an experienced veteran who can step in and immediately address one of the team’s biggest needs. I’m a big fan of the signing—are you?

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Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2025/7/22/24472285/saints-to-sign-free-agent-s-julian-blackmon

 

[New Orleans Saints]

A new look coming for Canal Street Chronicles in August

Our coverage remains the same but with a new look

In just a couple of weeks, Canal Street Chronicles is switching to a new platform as part of SB Nation’s network-wide move to a new publishing platform. This will change the look of the site and also make it faster and more reliable on any device you use. This is an upgrade.

When you land on the site, it will look cleaner – less clunky, with more white space, a better ad experience with faster load times – but will still have all the usual articles, analysis, and news by all the folks you know.

Community discussion and content created by you will be more prominent in the new design. The best comment threads will be easy to find, and staff and commenters alike will be able to start conversations whenever they like with a brand new tool.

We’re planning on an early August reveal, so we wanted to give you a heads up. You’ll hear more from us when it’s almost here. The site will look a little different, feel a little faster, and, most importantly, have a bigger role for you, the community.

So, stick around and check it out!

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...-coming-for-canal-street-chronicles-in-august

 

[New Orleans Saints]

Who will take over at safety for the Saints since Tyrann Mathieu retired?

Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images

How will New Orleans find their replacement for the legendary NFL safety?

NFL and Louisiana legend Tyrann Mathieu retired just one day before the New Orleans Saints were set to start training camp.

Mathieu has been one of the top players at his position since entering the league and replacing his role in the defense will be near impossible for the Saints. Outside of his play on the field, the LSU legend was a leader in the locker room and a loved player by the media.

Nonetheless, the Saints will have to assign someone to play across Justin Reid. Here are the top candidates to take over for the legendary safety.

Julian Blackmon​

Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images

The Saints were swift when adding to their safety room, signing former Indianapolis Colts standout safety Julian Blackmon. The 26-year-old defensive back is the front-runner to win the job, but the contract details show Blackmon may not have as secure a lead to start as first thought.

Blackmon signed a 1-year $5.5 million contract with New Orleans, keeping him rostered for just one season. There's been a lot of speculation on why Blackmon was even available this late in the offseason, but his availability is likely due to injury concerns. The versatile defensive back suffered multiple injuries throughout his college career and suffered a torn Achilles during his second season in the NFL.

Despite his earlier injuries, Blackmon has played at least 14 games in 4/5 of his seasons as a pro. The newly signed Saint even played 16 games in 2024 while dealing with a torn right labrum. While he played through the injury, it’s likely what kept him unsigned late into the offseason.

Jordan Howden​

Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images

Third-year safety Jordan Howden got the nod at the starting spot for the first day of training camp. While Howden’s start could be a placeholder until Blackmon’s contract is official, the 2023 fifth-round pick could be in contention for the starting spot.

Howden had a promising rookie year, but couldn't bring that momentum into his second season, losing his spot to Will Harris. The third-year safety started four games for the black and gold in 2024 but appeared in all 17 games. Howden accumulated 50 tackles and 1 TFL in his second season as a pro.

A breakout from Howden, where he would earn the starting spot, is the ideal situation for New Orleans. With two seasons already under his belt and still on a rookie contract, his combination of youth and financial flexibility helps the team the most during a rebuild.

Jonas Sanker​

Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

Rookie safety Jonas Sanker is the long shot to take the starting spot. With two young but experienced players ahead of him, Sanker will have to put together an impressive training camp and preseason to earn the starting nod before the start of the regular season.

But Sanker’s leverage may come with the Saints’ focus on stopping the run. The 2025 third-round pick was a tackle machine in college and has the ideal measurables for a starting NFL safety.

Sanker is comfortable making open field tackles and has elite instincts when attempting a tackle. The 2024 First-Team All-ACC safety will likely see most of his play time on special teams to start his rookie year but will see playtime on the defense due to his flexibility. If Sanker can take advantage of his snaps, he could make his way as the starter throughout the season.

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Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...keover-at-safety-since-tyrann-mathieu-retired

 

[New Orleans Saints]

Saints WR Rashid Shaheed feels 100% heading into the new season

Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

Shaheed played in just six games last season after tearing his meniscus.

Since signing a UDFA deal with the New Orleans Saints in 2022, Rashid Shaheed has become a massive part of the Saints’ offense. He put up 488 receiving yards as a rookie before hitting 719 in his second season. Heading into year three, it felt like Shaheed was a candidate to possibly hit the 1,000-yard mark with Derek Carr under center, but a meniscus tear ended his season prematurely.

Shaheed played just six games in 2024, recording 20 catches for 349 yards. He was on pace for 988 yards, but unfortunately, he didn’t get a chance to finish the year.

After Saints training camp on Friday, Shaheed spoke to the media, and said he feels 100% heading into the season.

“I feel great. I feel 100%,” said Shaheed. “Since OTAs, I feel like I’ve had a long offseason, but I feel like I worked hard to get to this point. I’m healthy and I’m ready to go.”

Shaheed knew his season was over since he got the news of his injury, so he took his time recovering. He didn’t push too hard, knowing he had a long offseason ahead of him, so he used the time to slowly but surely build back his strength and add some weight.

“My timetable was a little longer than normal just because I knew I had time to gain strength and get my speed back...I gained some weight over the offseason, I knew that would be a big part of the offseason, just getting my body back in shape.”

Shaheed, who played the 2024 season at 180 pounds, has added another 10 pounds this offseason. Typically, adding weight comes with a loss of speed, which is arguably his biggest strength, but he feels like he’s moving just as well at 190 as he was at 180.

“[I hope to play at] around 190, which is far from what I ever thought I’d be playing at, but I feel good. Feel like I’m moving great at this weight.”

When asked why he wanted to put on the extra weight, Shaheed explained it was all about longevity. He wants to play in this league for a long time, and he feels the extra weight will make him much more durable.

“It’s all about longevity and I feel like that weight is important.”

2025 is a contract year for Shaheed, who signed a one-year, $5.2 million extension to stay with the team through this year. If he can stay healthy and produce like we, and the coaching staff, know he can, he could be in for a pretty big payday next offseason. With Olave also looking to secure a long-term deal before the start of 2026, the Saints might have to shell out a lot of money to retain their top two targets.

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Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...shaheed-feels-100-heading-into-the-new-season

 

[New Orleans Saints]

Saints WR Mason Tipton shines on Day 3 of training camp

Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

The young WR is calling attention to himself for all the right reasons early on.

The New Orleans Saints have done a bunch of work this offseason to upgrade many of the issues on the roster, but one of the places where enough work has not been done is at WR. Bringing in Brandin Cooks was a good move, but it felt redundant given the team already had Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. Cooks should still be a good contributor in the offense, but that contested catch threat was never found this offseason. The area where the Cooks signing made a difference was the depth, but if injuries occur, it can still get ugly quickly. Still, some of the receivers are very young and could continue to develop into great pieces. One of these players is Mason Tipton, who had a great training camp last year but struggled during the season.

There could be several reasons why Tipton struggled during the season, but his role might stand out as the primary one. With injuries to other receivers around him, Tipton became very important quickly, which rushed his development. It all came crashing down when the Saints traveled to Arrowhead to play the Kansas City Chiefs. In this game, many things went wrong, including Tipton’s performance, which was exposed on national television. There was way too much pressure on the rookie UDFA WR, but with expectations lowered again, he has been able to work on his craft. Now, with training camp underway again, the Tipton show is back.

Rattler to Tipton again. That’s his 4 fourth catch of the day pic.twitter.com/ey9l6rBtNy

— juan kincaid (@juangkincaid) July 25, 2025​

#Saints WR Mason Tipton is having himself a good day.

— Tina Howell (@TinaHowellNOLA) July 25, 2025​

QBs looked solid in 7-on-7

Jake Haener (with first team today) hits Mason Tipton on the deep sideline ball

Tipton a favorite target off all three QBs, he had 5 catches during the period @WWLTV pic.twitter.com/mYqjXW6rke

— Ricardo LeCompte (@RLeCompteTV) July 25, 2025​

Mason Tipton had several nice catches today. Kellen Moore said “he’s really, really reliable.”

— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) July 25, 2025​

Just like last year, it's dangerous to get expectations too high for Tipton, but he is back making plays, and it is hard not to notice. If he can keep the expected role of being a depth piece that can come in and make plays if needed, Tipton could have a really good year and make some big plays for the Saints. Hopefully, with an improved medical staff and the signing of Brandin Cooks, the pressure will fully be off of Tipton, which will be the best thing for his young career.

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Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...mason-tipton-shines-on-day-3-of-training-camp

 

[New Orleans Saints]

Top takeaways from Day 4 of Saints’ training camp

Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

New Orleans will hit the field in pads on Monday.

After having Saturday off, the New Orleans Saints were back at it for their fourth day of training camp on Sunday.

Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

Kellen Moore​

Head coach Kellen Moore started Sunday’s practice by addressing Saints fans, alerting them that the practice will be more focused on the red zone and how the team is using the hot Louisiana heat to help them prepare for the season.

Lastly, Moore shows his appreciation for the fans and shouts, “We’re excited to see you guys at the dome shortly,” before the crowd erupts with cheers.

Moore has been a fan favorite since arriving in New Orleans. Despite not having prior experience as a head coach in the NFL, the former Super Bowl-winning coordinator has been a breath of fresh air after a failed Dennis Allen tenure.

QB1 Battle​

The quarterback battle is now at full strength. With four days under the young signal callers’ belts, it has become clear what their biggest weaknesses and strengths are. Second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler resumed first-team duties on Sunday. Rattler was perfect for passing in 2/3 prior practices, but showed more struggles on day four.

Rattler threw an interception to the Saints’ fourth-round rookie Danny Stutsman, who was filling in for an absent Demario Davis.

Spencer Rattler (with 1’s today) throws INT to rookie LB Danny Stutsman in 7-on-7 red zone drills @WWLTV pic.twitter.com/gqcJl3iGpr

— Ricardo LeCompte (@RLeCompteTV) July 27, 2025​

Day four was rough for all contending quarterbacks, however. Jake Haener would reportedly throw an interception during the team’s closed practice to newly signed safety Julian Blackman, and Tyler Shough missed his wideouts a few times.

The quarterback battle has been close, and no one has solidified the job yet. With pads coming on tomorrow, it would likely take a bit longer for the group of young quarterbacks to get back to their mechanics, but as the first week of preseason approaches, we should start to get an early indication of who the starter will be.

Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

Juwan Johnson is Balling!​

The Saints brought in tight end Noah Fant for a visit on Friday. The team still feels like there are holes to fill in the offense and some additions they would like to make, but tight end may not be as big a need as some would believe.

Juwan Johnson has been every quarterback’s best friend during the early portions of training camp. His name has been called on every day, and he continues to make plays. Kellen Moore sat down with Johnson during free agency and sold him his vision of how the wide receiver-turned-tight end would fit in his offense, and Moore kept that promise.

Johnson is making play after play and looks to have a large role in the Saints’ offense for the 2025 season.

Rattler finds Juwan Johnson for a TD in team redzone drills @wdsu pic.twitter.com/ewn3cGE8fi

— Kendall Duncan (@kendallduncanTV) July 27, 2025​

Special Teams Battles​

Second-year kicker Charlie Smyth struggled during day two of training camp, making just two of his five field goal attempts. The Irish kicker was called upon on Sunday but fell short again. Smith finished the day making 3/5 of his attempts, missing from 41 and 46 yards.

Smyth’s camp total comes out to 5/10 while starter Blake Grupe sits comfortably at 9/10.

Rookie punter James Burnip had his chance to punt and made two impressive 5.15 and 5.22 hangtime punts back-to-back.

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Make sure you follow Canal Street Chronicles on Twitter at @SaintsCSC, “Like” us on Facebook at Canal Street Chronicles, and make sure you’re subscribed to our new YouTube channel

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...-takeaways-from-day-4-of-saints-training-camp

 

[New Orleans Saints]

Top takeaways from Day 5 of Saints’ training camp

Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

The team practiced in pads for the first time on Monday.

The New Orleans Saints practiced in pads for the first time on their fifth day of training camp on Monday.

Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

Camp’s First Injury​

Head Coach Kellen Moore has taken a sports science approach to this year’s training camp. The idea is that practices will be shorter but utilize the time better. While this approach has been a success at limiting injuries, the Saints experienced their first injury of training camp with veteran safety and special teams ace J.T. Gray. He is dealing with a lower-body injury.

QB1 Battle​

Tyler Shough

Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough was given first-team duties on the first day with pads. Shough has been reactive when he feels pressure and often makes throws off his back foot. While the 2025 second-round pick has yet to force a turnover, his lack of decisiveness and antsy reactions in the pocket are a clear weakness.

Shough, of course flashed at times. He completed a nice ball to veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks towards the sideline and showed his ability to make plays with his legs.

Team drills

Tyler Shough’s best throw of the day, finding Brandin Cooks down the field on the over route. @wdsu pic.twitter.com/4SDFeKOK5V

— Sharief Ishaq (@ShariefWDSU) July 28, 2025​

Spencer Rattler​

Second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler worked with the second team on Monday. Rattler continues to be the most poised and effective passer, having another good showing. While offense was spotty for each signal caller during the first day with pads, Rattler had made throw after throw.

Rattler to Shaheed (plus commentary from ⁦@Jeff_Nowak⁩ on Chase Young) pic.twitter.com/X1wZ6F7YZh

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) July 28, 2025​

Jake Haener​

Third-year quarterback Jake Haener had an up-and-down practice on Monday. While he made a great play by stepping up in the pocket and delivering a touchdown pass to wide receiver Bub Means, he made a few throws that would be knocked away by defenders.

Haener has performed better in the quarterback battle than most initially expected, but the former 2023 fifth-round pick has a lot more to prove before he can win the job.

OL vs. DL​

The defensive line has been dominating during training camp. Carl Granderson and Chase Young practically live in the backfield, and other names such as Bryan Bresee and Chris Rumph II continue to make plays. While this trend continued on Monday with the defensive line continuing to be disruptive, we started to see more promising showings from the offensive line.

During 1v1 drills, rookie Kelvin Banks Jr. pancaked Rumph II, and Trevor Penning would win more reps than he would lose. The offensive line vs the defensive line battle will continue to be one to watch, but I think we’ll get a better answer once the preseason starts.

Kelvin Banks 1 on 1 pic.twitter.com/3MKN1MHnrj

— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) July 28, 2025​

Special Teams Battle​

Blake Grupe has a clear hold over the kicking competition, making 9/10 of his attempts, with his lone miss being in heavy rain from 49 yards out. The Saints brought back second-year kicker Charlie Smyth for competition with Grupe, but the Irish kicker has failed to make the battle close, making just 5/10 of his attempts.

Grupe was called upon on Monday to kick and continued to dominate the competition. The third-year kicker went 5/5, including a 51-yard make. Grupe’s perfect kicking day brings his training camp total to 14/15.

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Make sure you follow Canal Street Chronicles on Twitter at @SaintsCSC, “Like” us on Facebook at Canal Street Chronicles, and make sure you’re subscribed to our new YouTube channel

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...-takeaways-from-day-5-of-saints-training-camp

 

[New Orleans Saints]

Top takeaways from Day 6 of Saints’ training camp

Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

From the QB battle to injuries, here’s everhting we learned after the Saints’ sixth practice.

Everything we noticed from the sixth practice of training camp for the New Orleans Saints.

Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

Here come the injuries...​

The Saints have done a good job of avoiding injuries through their first week of training camp. Veteran safety J.T. Gray went down with an injury during Sunday’s practice, which Kellen Moore later confirmed as a lower leg issue, but the team has avoided injuries for the most part.

Until Wednesday, that is. Kellen Moore confirmed three injuries for New Orleans after their sixth practice of training camp— Juwan Johnson, Treyton Welch, and John Ridgeway III. The Saints have taken a sports science approach to try to limit injuries, but unfortunately, they're just a part of the game.

QB1 Battle​

Spencer Rattler​

It’s becoming repetitive to say it appears that Spencer Rattler holds the keys to the Saints' offense, but the second-year quarterback continues to stand out. Despite throwing an interception during 7-on-7s, Rattler was lighting it up during Wednesday’s practice.

During team drills, the former fifth-round pick threw a beautifully placed ball to Mason Tipton streaking down the sidelines for a deep touchdown. Rattler would finish team drills, completing 9/10 of his passes, with his lone miss being on the final pass attempt of the day.

Rattler - Tipton - TD! pic.twitter.com/pW1Amq3t7z

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) July 30, 2025​

Jake Haener​

Third-year quarterback Jake Haener had his best day in training camp. Haener played with the first team and, similarly to Rattler, was making big plays. His best play of the day was a 75-yard touchdown pass to Chris Olave, splitting Alontae Taylor and Julian Blackmon.

Haener faced a heavy pass rush throughout the day and handled it effectively. While it was a slower start to practice for the third-year signal caller, Haener caught fire and made big plays.

Tyler Shough​

Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough had the slowest day during Wednesday’s practice. The rookie signal-caller mostly opted for the shorter gains and was taking what the defense was giving him. While this isn't a knock on Shough’s play, it doesn’t stand out as much as his competition’s big plays.

Shough’s recent stretch in training camp hasn't been as smooth as his play during OTAs and minicamp, but the second-round pick is still putting it together. He’s had plenty of almost plays and impressive throws that would end up not counting (out of bounds, etc). With the preseason around the corner, Shough will soon get his chance to show his abilities against real competition.

Rashid Shaheed breakout... again?​

Rashid Shaheed is entering his fourth season in the NFL and may be eyeing his first 1,000-yard season. Shaheed has possibly been the most dominant player throughout camp and has worked on his game. The speedster added noticeable muscle throughout the offseason, but says his speed remains intact.

Shaheed has already shown major growth in his route tree, and his extra muscle has allowed him to be better at contest catches. There have been many instances where the 5-foot-10, 190-pound receiver has fought through contact to make a play. Combining his elite game-changing speed with a new, more physical playstyle, Shaheed could be in for another breakout season.

Good example of Rashid Shaheed playing through physicality. It’s a clear area of improvement for him since he came into the league. #Saints pic.twitter.com/H3OPVhqEBx

— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) July 30, 2025​

Special Teams Battle​

Second-year kicker Charlie Smyth has fallen behind heavily in the kicker battle. The Irish kicker had only made 5/10 of his field goal attempts, falling way behind starting kicker Blake Grupe, who is 14/15. Despite the struggles, Smyth earned the chance to kick again for the Saints on Wednesday, finishing 4/5 with one miss from 49 yards out. Smyth is now 9/15 over three kicking sessions.

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Make sure you follow Canal Street Chronicles on Twitter at @SaintsCSC, “Like” us on Facebook at Canal Street Chronicles, and make sure you’re subscribed to our new YouTube channel

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...-takeaways-from-day-6-of-saints-training-camp

 

[New Orleans Saints]

Madden NFL 26 rookie ratings released: How EA Sports graded the newest Saints

Breaking down rookie overalls in newest update.

Electronic Arts Sports is set to debut the newest edition of its famed football video game series, Madden NFL, on August 14, 2025. Ahead of the release, EA has begun revealing team and player ratings for the initial version of this year’s copy.

After recently unveiling members of the coveted “99 Overall Club”, the franchise released its ratings for all of the league’s draft class of 2025.

Most notably, Jacksonville’s Travis Hunter was tabbed as the highest-rated rookie coming in at a staggering 84 overall for the Jaguars following his Heisman campaign in his final collegiate season at the University of Colorado. Right behind Hunter is the Las Vegas Raiders’ Ashton Jeanty. The rookie running back is listed as an 83 OVR.

One name that you will not find among the top bunch of rookies is number one overall pick Cam Ward. The Tennessee Titans’ newest quarterback was only rated at a 72 OVR, although that mark is still good enough to be the top-rated newbie at the position.

As for the New Orleans Saints, first-round pick, Kelvin Banks Jr., is the team’s highest rated rookie at a 76 OVR. Defensive backs Jonas Sanker and Quincey Riley both earned 72 OVRs, while sixth-round RB Devin Neal was graded at 71 OVR.

Second-round pick Tyler Shough was given a 68 OVR mark, which tied the New York Giants’ Jaxson Dart.

Other Saints players to have their ratings revealed include:

OLB- Danny Stutsman- 70 OVR

P- James Burnip- 69 OVR

DT- Vernon Broughton- 69 OVR

DE- Fadil Diggs- 68 OVR

TE- Moliki Matavao- 63 OVR

MLB- Tyreem Powell- 61 OVR

C- Toricelli Simpkins III- 58 OVR

For a complete view of the league’s ratings, you can visit the Madden 26 ratings database.

What do you think about the newest player ratings for the NFL’s rookies? Who was rated too high? Too low? Will you be playing EA Sports’ Madden NFL 26 this year? Let us know in the comments below!

Be sure to keep up to date with Canal Street Chronicles for the most up-to-date news surrounding New Orleans Saints football. Stay tuned for future updates about the roster’s ratings once released.

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...leased-how-ea-sports-graded-the-newest-saints

 

[New Orleans Saints]

2025 Hall of Fame Game Open Thread

Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The 2025 NFL Preseason kicks off tonight with the annual Hall of Fame Game in Canton.

The closest thing we get to actual NFL football has arrived with the annual Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. The Hall of Fame Game will kick off the Hall of Fame weekend festivities which will culminate with the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony on Saturday. Former Chargers TE Antonio Gates stands among the four inductees this year, so Chargers faithful should be in the stands for this exhibition game against the Detroit Lions. It will be nice to see something that resembles NFL football after months of waiting. It may not be much, but we’ll take what we can get at this point.

Here are the details for tonight’s exhibition:

2025 Hall of Fame Game​

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Detroit Lions​

Location - Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium - Canton, Ohio

Weather - 63º - Partly Cloudy

Game Time - 5:00pm PST / 7:00pm CST / 8:00pm EST

Network - NBC

Announcers - Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth

Online and Mobile - peacocktv.com

The first step toward the 2025 NFL Season is finally here! Who Dat!

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2025/7/31/24469579/2025-hall-of-fame-game-open-thread

 

[New Orleans Saints]

Philip Rivers reveals the Saints reached out about signing him in 2021

Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images

The legendary NFL QB reveals the Saints were interested in him in 2021.

Former Los Angeles Chargers and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers announced his retirement in July, four seasons after he last took an NFL snap.

Rivers’ late retirement announcement was shocking. Many have believed the former All-Pro quarterback was already retired without an official announcement, but Rivers revealed he was still fielding calls from NFL teams. The New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers were two of the teams Rivers name dropped on the Dan Patrick Show.

Philip Rivers told @dpshow that part of the reason he didn’t officially retire until recently is because he had been receiving calls early on, including from the Saints in 2021 and the 49ers in 2022. pic.twitter.com/NE15rkhYXn https://t.co/e14lymg9rm

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 31, 2025​

The legendary NFL quarterback revealed the Saints called him in 2021 after the team faced a slew of injuries while fighting for a playoff spot and were looking for someone to cover for the injured Jameis Winston.

New Orleans started a carousel of quarterbacks in place of Winston (Taysom Hill, Trevor Siemian, and Ian Book) but was looking for a more vetted and experienced quarterback to bring them into the playoffs. Rivers says the Saints didn't only reach out to him, but also to Saints legend Drew Brees.

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Rivers revealed that the offer was intriguing and something he strongly considered, but he would ultimately decline it, describing his role on the team as a “guest” quarterback. The eight-time Pro Bowler said it wouldn’t feel like he was on a journey with the team, as he would take over starting quarterback duties as the playoffs start. He acknowledged that he could’ve taken the job and been seen as a hero, leading the team to a playoff victory, but also as a villain who cost the team in the first round.

While New Orleans did finish the 2021 season winning four of their last five, they would miss the playoffs and come second in the NFC South.

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Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...-saints-reached-out-about-signing-him-in-2021

 

[New Orleans Saints]

Saints sign OL Shane Lemieux

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

New Orleans reunites with Shane Lemieux to compete for a roster spot.

The New Orleans Saints are signing offensive lineman Shane Lemieux, per Mike Garafolo.

The #Saints are signing G Shane Lemieux, source says. Lemieux started four games for New Orleans last season. pic.twitter.com/xBVPiRODm2

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 1, 2025​

Lemieux, 28, was signed to the Saints roster during the 2024 offseason. The sixth-year offensive lineman started four games for New Orleans, filling in at center for the injured Erik McCoy.

The former New York Giants fifth-round pick provides the Saints with positional flexibility and could be plugged in at any position on the interior of the offensive line. New Orleans has 4/5 of their offensive line spots solidified, but left guard is still a question. Trevor Penning currently holds that spot but could be replaced if he struggles.

Lemieux will compete for a roster spot for the Saints during training camp and preseason, but some familiarity and versatility could give the 2024 starter a boost.

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Make sure you follow Canal Street Chronicles on Twitter at @SaintsCSC and “Like” us on Facebook at Canal Street Chronicles,

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2025/8/1/24478986/saints-sign-ol-shane-lemieux

 

[New Orleans Saints]

Fleur-de-Links, August 2: Will the national media be wrong again about the Saints?

Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Here are your daily New Orleans Saints links.

ESPN ranked the Saints lineup the worst in the league but is that really the case?​

Coming off a season marked by significant injuries, poor coaching, and inconsistency throughout games, it is hard to believe the Saints could be worse than last season.

Taking stock of the Saints QB competition: Tyler Shough must make it competitive​

The gap is starting to widen between Rattler and Shough, but can the rookie QB catch up in time?

Grading Every New NFL Uniform for 2025​

The Saints’ new helmet makes an appearance, but where does it rank amongst the league's new uniforms?

The NFL’s new virtual measurement system:
pic.twitter.com/HejqWQIZWS

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 1, 2025​

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...ational-media-be-wrong-again-about-the-saints

 

[New Orleans Saints]

Saints OL Nick Saldiveri to be placed on IR

Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

Saldiveri will miss the 2025 season due to a knee injury.

The 2025 season has not even started yet but the New Orleans Saints have lost their first player for the year. After Saturday’s practice, head coach Kellen Moore announced that offensive lineman Nick Saldiveri will be placed on injured reserve.

Moore said that Saldiveri injured his knee during Thursday’s practice.

The 24-year-old guard, who was selected by the Saints in the fourth-round of the 2023 NFL Draft, has had bad luck with injuries since landing in New Orleans. Through his two seasons with the Saints, he has only played in 15 of 34 games. During his rookie season, Saldiveri dealt with calf and shoulder injuries which led to shoulder surgery at the end of the 2023 season. Last December, he was carted off the field due a knee injury suffered against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 13.

At this time, we do not know whether Thursday’s injury is to that same knee.

To make up for the loss on the offensive line, the Saints brought back a familiar face by re-signing Shane Lemieux, who started 4 games for New Orleans last season.

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Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2025/8/2/24479702/saints-ol-nick-saldiveri-to-be-placed-on-ir

 

[New Orleans Saints]

Win an opportunity for former Saints QB Drew Brees to be your fantasy football league’s analyst from Alltroo

Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM

Proceeds will help support the Brees Dream Foundation.

Fantasy football lovers, here is your opportunity to have former New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees as your fantasy football league’s analyst.

Brees has teamed up with Alltroo for this fun rally to help raise money for the Brees Dream Foundation, whose mission is to improve the quality of life for cancer patients and provide care, education, and opportunities for children and families in need. Since the Foundation’s inception in 2003, the Brees Dream Foundation has contributed over $50 million to charitable causes globally.

Enter now through Wednesday, August 20, at Have Drew Brees Be Your Fantasy Football Analyst for a Night

Prizes include:

• Drew Brees will have a 30-minute Zoom call with your fantasy football league
• Hang out with Drew, talk football, get advice, and more.
• 1 signed Drew Brees jersey
• 12 signed footballs

Alltroo’s purpose is to grow the charitable giving industry by offering amazing experience and amplifying the impact they can make together.

Learn more about them at About - Alltroo

To learn more about The Brees Dream Foundation, please visit: Brees Dream Foundation

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Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...your-fantasy-football-leagues-analyst-alltroo

 

[New Orleans Saints]

ESPN ranked the Saints lineup the worst in the league but is that really the case?

Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

The Saints were ranked 32nd overall.

ESPN.com recently released their rankings of each team in the NFL by the strength of their starting lineup, and they placed the New Orleans Saints dead last. It makes some sense to think the Saints have one of the weaker rosters in the NFL, as they finished 5-12 last season, and currently have the longest odds of making the playoffs according to Vegas, but do they really have the worst lineup in the NFL?

Their roster does feature seven players that have made a Pro Bowl, but many of these players are those who have gotten older or have not made it for a few years. Alvin Kamara was last a Pro Bowler in 2021 and Cam Jordan in 2022, while the teams only Pro Bowler last year was Erik McCoy, who was selected as an alternate. The Saints were one of four teams not to have a player named to the initial Pro Bowl roster before the alternates were later selected as necessary. Also, last year was also the first year that Demario Davis was not named to the All-Pro team since 2018.

The Saints had a very tumultuous season in 2024, as injuries plagued the roster all year and they also fired head coach Dennis Allen halfway through the season, leading to just 5-wins, their fewest since 2005. However, many of the players unrecognized at the end of the year had similar seasons in which they were honored named to the Pro Bowl or All-Pro. Demario Davis had more tackles, interceptions, and pass defended in 2024 compared to 2023 when he was named an All-Pro. Alvin Kamara set a career high in rushing yards and had more total yards and just one fewer touchdown than his last Pro Bowl season in 2021.

Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Two Saints wide receivers, Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed had great seasons in 2023 but missed the majority of the 2024 season due to injury. When healthy this group of receivers has the potential to be one of the better duos in the NFL. Alvin Kamara has also not lost a step despite the presumptions around the league. He was an injury away from having his first 1,000-yard rushing season, gained more total yards than he has since 2020 and scored more touchdowns than he has since 2021. The Saints will also hope to get offensive weapon Taysom Hill back and healthy this year, as he appeared in just eight games in 2024.

The defense has promising players such as Bryan Bresee, Pete Werner, and Kool-Aid McKinstry, who all have the potential for breakout seasons. Demario Davis is still a very good player, and Chase Young and Carl Granderson both have the ability to have a double-digit sack season.

The Saints biggest issue however is at quarterback, which is the main reason why there are such low expectations for this season. Second year QB Spencer Rattler got significant playing time last year, and while he showed flashes at times, was average at best for most of the season. Rookie Tyler Shough is very much an unknown, as he only completed one full season in college and had yet to take a snap in the NFL. The Saints probably have the weakest QB room in the NFL, simply by way of lack of experience, as Rattler is the most experienced QB on the team with just six starts.

Despite this, there is still a good amount of talent on the Saints roster. I am not saying they are one of the best rosters in the NFL but to say they are the worst in the league I think is unfounded given the high ceiling many of their contributors have.

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Make sure you follow Canal Street Chronicles on X at @SaintsCSC, “Like” us on Facebook at Canal Street Chronicles, follow us on Instagram at @SaintsCSC, and as always, you can follow me on X at @Hayden_Reel.

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...rst-in-the-league-but-is-that-really-the-case

 

[New Orleans Saints]

Why the Saints CB room might be better than expected

Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

A weaker position group may not look so weak in the end.

When looking at the New Orleans Saints’ roster, one position group may have the most changes from last season: The cornerbacks. After making a great trade and not making re-signings, the Saints’ CB room took a massive hit. Entering training camp, the CBs were the main position that I felt very uneasy about. Besides QB, which is the obvious one, the current CB room may be the group that makes or breaks the season. A great pass rush can hide some issues in pass defense but relying on this is never a good idea.

There are always going to be games where the pass defense needs to step up, and before training camp, I was not sure this group could do it. Second-year CB Kool-Aid McKinstry flashed potential in his first season, but relying on his jump is a risky move. The only CB that I felt mildly comfortable with was Alontae Taylor, who will be switching from the slot to the outside throughout games. Even with that confidence, there are still worries about Taylor’s consistency and if he can get back to that dominance we saw early in his career. The questions surrounding these two players, combined with a positional battle for the other outside cornerback spot, could create a rough scenario for the Saints. Well, that was what I initially thought, but things have changed.

Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

It seems like the Saints made the right call by believing Kool-Aid McKinstry would take that next step. The former second-round pick has been flying in practice, making plays in the air, getting interceptions, playing hard, and making life hard for these young quarterbacks. New Orleans has a great group of wide receivers currently, and the fact that McKinstry has been able to shine against these players says something. Before he is established as the future number one cornerback on the roster, McKinstry is going to need to prove it in a game, but as of now, it looks like he can handle it.

As I mentioned before, out of all the cornerback issues I thought the Saints could have, Alontae Taylor was one I felt more comfortable about. We have seen what he can do on the field, and it may come down to his belief in and motivation for the defensive coordinator's scheme. If Brandon Staley can convince Taylor that his scheme puts the young cornerback in a position to succeed and the staff has created a good environment for these corners, there is a chance Taylor could be the most valuable piece of this defense. In his first four years, Taylor has shown the ability to play both on the outside and in the slot at high levels, and in Staley’s scheme, one of the corners needs to have this flexibility. In addition, Taylor has been a vocal voice throughout practice, and it seems the 26-year-old has taken the leadership role in the cornerback room.

Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

Now, onto possibly the main reason why I had worries to begin with, the third cornerback spot. Even though both McKinstry and Taylor stepped up and played well during the season, the main issue was always going to be the outside cornerback opposite of McKinstry. The Saints signed Isaac Yiadom in free agency to a three-year deal, which was a great deal, but having him as a second boundary corner is not something to be that confident about. Additionally, initiating the veteran corner (depending on total snaps) would actually remove the compensatory pick that the Saints would receive for allowing Paulson Adebo to leave in free agency. This may not be a priority of the coaching staff, and really it shouldn’t, but it is something to think about.

The second addition made this offseason that could step up in that CB3 role is rookie Quincy Riley. When the former Louisville Cardinal dropped to the 131st selection, many were shocked and believed the Saints got a steal. In my own mock drafts, I thought New Orleans should have actually traded up to around pick 100 for Riley. Still, even with this great value and potentially one of the best picks in the Saints’ draft, starting the rookie right away is extremely risky. Cornerback is one of those positions where it is rare that a rookie can start right away and not get exposed. Yes, we have seen it happen with the likes of Marshon Lattimore on the Saints, but especially with a 4th-round pick, this is nowhere near the expectation. While keeping these expectations low, there is a reality where Riley is going to start right away, and throughout training camp so far, he has actually looked really good. Already, he has two interceptions and a third that was just out of bounds. Riley brings an evident ball-hawking skill, which could be a similar archetype to the Saints' with Adebo: a player who may get beaten at times but can be dynamic in the air and make big plays for this defense. We haven't seen what Riley can do in the game, but based on training camp, there's some confidence that Quincy Riley can step up into the third cornerback spot.

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Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...-saints-cb-room-might-be-better-than-expected

 

[New Orleans Saints]

More Madden NFL 26 ratings revealed: How Saints players were graded

Breaking down official player ratings.

EA Sports has revealed more official player and team ratings with less than two weeks remaining until the highly anticipated August 14th release date. At the time of writing, the New Orleans Saints have 91 players rostered during training camp and 74 of those being rated by the video game franchise.

The Saints’ highest rated player in this year’s edition of the game is none other than middle linebacker Demario Davis. The All-Pro is entering his 14th season in the NFL and his eighth in New Orleans. Davis was tabbed as a 90 overall player, the only rostered Saint to score that highly.

In addition to being the highest rated Saint, Davis is also the only player on the team to earn an “Superstar X-Factor” distinction as he was given “Reinforcement.” Only six players league wide earned this upgraded ability that allows the avatar player an increased chance of defeating run blocks and disrupting catches via tackles.

The Saints had a trio of wide receivers that were rated within the top 60 at the position. Chris Olave earned an 86 OVR while Brandin Cooks and Rashid Shaheed were each rated at 79 OVR.

Alvin Kamara was rated a little lower than typically at just an 84 OVR. That rating was just enough to squeak into the top 20 at the position. Free agent signee Justin Reid is the highest-rated newcomer on the team. After spending time with both the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs, Reid returns home to Louisiana as an 87 OVR.

Here is how the rest of the roster fared in the initial base release ratings:

Bold- Offense, Italicized- Specialists, Normal- Defense

Erik McCoy | C | 89 OVR

Carl Granderson | DE | 80 OVR

Davon Godchaux | DT | 80 OVR

Julian Blackmon | SS | 80 OVR

Cameron Jordan | DE | 79 OVR

Cesar Ruiz | OG | 79 OVR

Chase Young | DE | 79 OVR

Zach Wood | LS | 79 OVR

Pete Werner | OLB | 78 OVR

Taliese Fuaga | OT | 78 OVR

Cam Akers | HB | 77 OVR

Taysom Hill | TE | 76 OVR

Kendre Miller | HB | 75 OVR

Kool-Aid McKinstry | CB | 75 OVR

Bryan Bresee | DT | 74 OVR

Clyde Edwards-Helaire | HB | 74 OVR

Juwan Johnson | TE | 74 OVR

Nathan Shepherd | DT | 74 OVR

Trevor Penning | OG | 74 OVR

Alontae Taylor | CB | 73 OVR

Blake Grupe | K | 73 OVR

Cedrick Wilson Jr. | WR | 73 OVR

Donovan Peoples-Jones | WR | 73 OVR

Isaac Yiadom | CB | 73 OVR

Jonathan Bullard | DT | 73 OVR

Jordan Howden | SS | 73 OVR

Ugo Amadi | CB | 73 OVR

Dillon Radunz | OG | 72 OVR

Foster Moreau | TE | 72 OVR

Khalen Saunders | DT | 71 OVR

Terrell Burgess | SS | 71 OVR

Bub Means | WR | 70 OVR

Dante Pettis | WR | 70 OVR

Isaiah Foskey | DE | 70 OVR

Khristian Boyd | DT | 70 OVR

Matthew Hayball | P | 70 OVR

Spencer Rattler | QB | 69 OVR

Velus Jones Jr. | HB | 69 OVR

Chris Rumph II | DE | 67 OVR

Jaylan Ford | MLB | 67 OVR

Jonah Williams | DE | 67 OVR

John Ridgeway III | DT | 66 OVR

Mason Tipton | WR | 66 OVR

Rico Payton | CB | 66 OVR

Nephi Sewell | OLB | 65 OVR

Rejzohn Wright | CB | 65 OVR

Will Clapp | C | 65 OVR

D’Marco Jackson | MLB | 64 OVR

Josiah Ezirim | OT | 64 OVR

Jack Stoll | TE | 63 OVR

Jake Haener | QB | 63 OVR

Kevin Austin Jr. | WR | 63 OVR

Nick Saldiveri | OG | 63 OVR

J.T. Gray | FS | 62 OVR

Kyle Hergel | OG | 62 OVR

Landon Young | OT | 62 OVR

If you’re interested in seeing how New Orleans’ rookies were rated, you can read more about those players here.

For a full breakdown of the rosters and specific player stats, you can head to the Madden NFL 26 Player Ratings database.

What do you think about the Saints’ ratings for the upcoming video game? Players that are ranked too high? Too low? Will you be using New Orleans to play Madden NFL 26? Let us know in the comments below!

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...tings-revealed-how-saints-players-were-graded

 

[New Orleans Saints]

Getting to know new Saints punter Kai Kroeger

On Thursday, July 31, it was announced that the New Orleans Saints signed punter Kai Kroeger to join Mathew Hayball and James Burnip in the punter competition.

Kroeger attended Lake Forest High School in Lake Forest, Illinois, and was considered one of the nation’s top punters of the 2020 class. He also played quarterback on his junior varsity team as well as wide receiver.

South Carolina All-American signs new NFL deal

READ HERE https://t.co/rT3GqU6ssC pic.twitter.com/AGbGICj1EV

— GamecockCentral.com (@GamecockCentral) July 31, 2025

Kroeger played college football for 5 seasons at the University of South Carolina. He was named a first-team All-American in 2022 and second-team in 2024. as well as first-team All-SEC in 2022 and 2024 and was a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award in 2024.

He attempted 265 punts for a total of 11,823 yards for the Gamecocks, which ranks him second all-time in SEC history.

After going undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, Kroeger signed with the New York Jets in May but was released in late July. Just days later, he signed with the Saints. Kroeger is wearing No. 32, last worn by newly retired Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu.

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Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...s-punter-kai-kroeger-south-carolina-gamecocks