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[New Orleans Saints]

Best breakout candidates for the Saints in 2025

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Which member of the New Orleans Saints is likely to be a household name this time next year?

Pete Werner​

Pete Werner has come into his own as a solid starter at linebacker next to Demario Davis the last few years. In just 13 games last year he amassed 92 total tackles, which ranked second on the team, almost equaling his output of 93 in 16 games in 2023. Werner lacked the splash plays of an interception to sacks last year, but if he is able to keep up his high volume of tackles while staying healthy and pitching in a few interceptions or sacks, Werner could be looking at a career year and may even come close to or pass Davis’s tackle output in 2025.

Devin Neal​

The New Orleans Saints rookie with the best chance to have a breakout year I believe is running back Devin Neal. Neal plays a position that often gets a lot of attention from rookies due to the discourse around where to draft a running back that occurs each year. Rookie QB Tyler Shough will be locked in a battle for the starting job, and may not even see the field much this year, while top pick Kelvin Banks, Jr. plays a position that unfortunately often goes unnoticed among rookies (he may well end up being the best rookie the Saints have but ask yourself how much you heard Taliese Fuaga’s name on TV last year compared to someone like Bucky Irving). Neal should receive his fair share of touches each game next to Alvin Kamara, and his production in college should lead us to believe he will have a productive rookie year if given enough opportunity in 2025. He may not reach the same level of production, but he could be used in a similar way as Kamara was early in his career, as a pass catching option that gets a few carries a game to take some of the pressure off Kamara, who missed out on his first career 1,000-yard rushing season due to an injury last year.

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Bryan Bresee​

The Saints top draft choice in 2023 was their leading sacker in 2024, but despite this, I still think he is yet to reach his ceiling. Bresee nearly doubled his sack output from his rookie year, and ranked 6th in the NFL in sacks among defensive tackles. If he continues on this path, he may have a Pro Bowl caliber season in 2025. His run defense could still use some work, but his effectiveness as a pass rusher makes him arguably the most valuable piece on the Saints defensive line.

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Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...st-breakout-candidates-for-the-saints-in-2025

 

[New Orleans Saints]

Saints set to work out former UFL tight end

Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

New Orleans looking to add competition to a thin position group ahead of minicamp.

The New Orleans Saints are bringing in former UFL TE Seth Green as they look to boost competition in an arguably thin position group ahead of minicamp, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston.

Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Seth Green, a 6-foot-4, 240-pound tight end, spent last season with the Arlington Renegades of the UFL after transitioning from quarterback to tight end during his time at the University of Houston. The 27-year-old snagged 13 receptions for 157 yards in 14 games for the Cougars his senior year.

Before transferring to Houston, Green spent three seasons with the Minnesota Golden Gophers, where he rushed for 388 yards and 15 touchdowns on 114 attempts—more rushing yards than his combined receiving and passing yards (297). He also hauled in six receptions for 83 yards during his time in Minnesota while earning Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2020.

Green signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 NFL Draft and participated in training camp before ultimately being released during initial 53-man roster cuts. In October of 2022, Green joined the Dallas Cowboys practice squad.

After originally signing a letter of intent with the Houston Roughnecks, Green was selected by Arlington in the XFL Dispersal Draft in January of 2024.

Last season in the UFL, Green caught 11 passes for 86 yards and one touchdown while adding three rushing yards on two carries in 10 games for the Renegades.

He delivers when given the opportunity and his versatility could be valuable in Kellen Moore’s offense.

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2025/6/10/24446647/saints-set-to-work-out-former-ufl-tight-end

 

[New Orleans Saints]

SB Nation Reacts Survey: How would you grade the Saints offseason so far?

Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

Vote in this week's poll and let us know!

The New Orleans Saints held their first of three minicamp practices today which was open to the public, so fans got their 1st chance to see Kellen Moore, Barndon Staley and the 2025 team in action. With minicamp here and training camp quickly approaching next month, we are another step closer to the start of the 2025 season, so in this week’s reacts poll we are asking our readers: How would you grade the Saints offseason so far?

Vote in the link below and let us know your thoughts!

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in New Orleans Saints fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...w-would-you-grade-the-saints-offseason-so-far

 

[New Orleans Saints]

Saints to potentially add to their offensive line with a visit from Barry Wesley

Photo by Jason Clark/UFL/Getty Images

New Orleans brings in a young offensive lineman for a visit.

Per KRPC 2’s Aaron Wilson, the New Orleans Saints are bringing in offensive lineman Barry Wesley for a visit. Wesley is a relatively unknown player, bouncing between professional football leagues in recent years.

Offensive lineman Barry Wesley is working out for the #Saints.per a league source. #Falcons last year and @USFLStallions this spring @KPRC2

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) June 11, 2025​

He played his college ball at Colorado State for four years before going undrafted in the 2022 NFL draft. Following the draft, he would sign with the Massachusetts Pirates of the Indoor Football League. He would sign with the XFL's Seattle Sea dragons in January 2023.

His first time on an NFL roster wouldn’t come until May of 2023, when he would sign with the Atlanta Falcons. However, after staying on their practice squad and suffering an injury, he would be released by the Falcons in 2024 as part of their final roster cuts. In November of that year, he would sign with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL).

This past UFL season, he was the Stallions' sportsman of the year nominee, which is an award given out annually to one deserving player who exemplifies the highest standards of athletic excellence and community engagement, according to the UFL’s website.

Wesley could end up being a valuable depth piece. He has started at right guard, left guard, and left tackle for the Stallions this season, showing his versatility across the offensive line.

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...offensive-line-with-a-visit-from-barry-wesley

 

[New Orleans Saints]

A look ahead at Week 16: Saints vs. Jets

Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Big Apple travels to Big Easy for late-season matchup.

For the first time since 2021, the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets will square off when they meet at the Caesars Superdome in Week 16 of the 2025 NFL Regular Season. The game will also mark the first time New York has traveled to New Orleans since 2017.

The Saints-Jets matchup is one that has been pretty evenly matched over its 14 all-time meetings. New Orleans currently has an edge leading New York, eight wins to six. However, the Jets have fallen in four of six games since the beginning of the 21st century. New Orleans has won the previous two meetings including the most recent, a 30-9 thumping inside MetLife Stadium.

This year’s contest should be exciting regardless of the teams’ records at the time. The Jets and Saints both finished the 2024 campaign with a dismal 5-12 record, finishing in third and fourth places of their respective divisions. Each group underwent overhauls of rosters and staff in search of an improvement on last year’s results meaning some familiar faces are coming to town.

In January, the New York Jets hired former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to be their new Head Coach. Prior to working under Dan Campbell in the motor city, Glenn spent time with the Saints as both a player and coach. He signed with New Orleans as a free agent cornerback for one season in 2008 before retiring from the league in 2010. Glenn was hired as a member of the Saints staff as the Defensive Backs coach where he remained from 2016-2020.

In addition to Glenn, former New Orleans Saints safety Chris Banjo now finds himself to be a member of the Jets staff as Special Teams Coordinator. Banjo played under Glenn in New Orleans from 2016-18 before leaving to finish his career with the Arizona Cardinals. Following his retirement, Banjo served a two-year stint as an assistant special teams coach under his former head coach Sean Payton whom Denver had just hired in 2023 for the same positional opening.

New York is not the only group with coaching changes. New Orleans hired Kellen Moore to be their new head coach this offseason. It is Moore’s first head coaching opportunity in the NFL after moving through the ranks. He previously served gigs with the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Chargers, and most recently won Super Bowl LIX with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Both teams are going through interesting changes at quarterback as well. Justin Fields signed with the Jets in March as a free agent QB, leaving behind Pittsburgh where he played the 2024 season. Taking his spot in the Steel City? Aaron Rodgers, who Glenn and the Jets released during the same month.

While the Jets appear to have their QB1 sorted out, the Saints situation is still very much in limbo. Projected starting QB Derek Carr shocked fans everywhere when he announced his retirement from the league just last month. The move came after the NFL Draft in April when the Saints selected Louisville prospect Tyler Shough. Although Carr was dealing with injuries and recovery from last season, he made the decision to retire, ultimately saving New Orleans an approximate $30 million against the cap following a restructure on his contract.

With a current room of Shough, Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener, and Hunter Dekkers, many fans and members of the coaching staff have reiterated the interest peak in a true quarterback battle this year. Although Rattler and Haener have minimal playing experience, neither have managed an NFL win in a game they started.

For New York, their draft came from the offensive side of the football for three of their first four picks. Most notably, they selected tight end Mason Taylor out of LSU in the second round. Taylor’s father, Jason, is a Hall of Fame defensive end that also spent time with the Jets. Glenn and company are hoping to provide more weapons to Fields to coincide with stars Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson.

Obviously, a lot will change from now to then as we go the course of this regular season, but this seems like one to keep an eye out for late in the year. If both teams can stay healthy while getting close to the relative production they’re slated for, this cross-conference matchup will provide fans with some riveting storylines and football.

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2025/6/11/24444320/a-look-ahead-at-week-16-saints-vs-jets

 

[New Orleans Saints]

Saints cancel last day of minicamp for team outing

Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

Team bonding is a clear priority.

Since the New Orleans Saints hired head coach Kellen Moore, the topic of culture and team morale has always been an important conversation. The Saints are coming off a highly disappointing season and an era of football filled with turmoil. This type of feeling has a chance of lasting a bit, so when a new coach comes in, one of their jobs is to get everyone back on track and bought in. With Kellen Moore and much of the coaching staff filled with former players, doing what is best for the players themselves is a massive priority. This can be taking off certain days to be with family, not overworking player in practice, or having some days dedicated to team building. Today was one of those days. The Saints and Kellen Moore have opted to take the team on a bonding outing rather than have the last day of minicamp.

#Saints HC Kellen Moore has cancelled their final minicamp practice for a team outing

— Tina Howell (@TinaHowellNOLA) June 12, 2025​

Cancelling the last day of minicamp came as a bit of a surprise, but Kellen Moore knows what he is doing. If the prior practices were underwhelming or had any issues, cancelling today would not have happened. Clearly, the Saints liked what they saw from the team and felt they earned a team outing.

The last team outing was a paintball day, and it has not yet been revealed what the team will do next.

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Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...-cancel-last-day-of-mini-camp-for-team-outing

 

[New Orleans Saints]

A look ahead as the Saints to face No. 1 Pick Cam Ward in Week 17 matchup

Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

A possible rookie QB showdown looms in a late season duel.

The New Orleans Saints are set to take on the Tennessee Titans during a Week 17 matchup of the 2025-26 NFL season.

The Titans drafted Miami’s Cam Ward with the first overall pick. Ward was elite in his final year in college, making him the obvious QB1 of the draft. The Saints would follow a day later, taking Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough with the No. 40 overall pick, making him the third signal-caller off the board.

Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

Shough and Ward are the favorites to win their team’s starting quarterback job, making this on-the-surface regular week 17 matchup one to tune in to.

Tennessee has made exciting moves to accommodate their new rookie quarterback, notably signing former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett. The veteran wideout joins Calvin Ridley, Treylon Burks, and rookie Elic Ayomanor in the talented Titans wide receiver room.

The Titans also bolstered their offensive line with the signings of Dan Moore Jr. and Kevin Zeitler. Tennessee has had a struggling offensive line for several seasons and aimed to strengthen up the trenches before adding their rookie quarterback to the mix.

Despite the lack of performance, the Saints have emphasized strengthening their offensive line over the years and have finally fleshed out their starting five. With the selection of Kelvin Banks Jr. with the ninth overall pick, New Orleans will have 4 first-round picks and a second-round pick starting on their offensive line. The Saints also signed former second-round pick Dillon Radunz as depth over the offseason.

Both teams approached the offseason similarly while rebuilding for the future. From singing veteran wideouts to strengthening the trenches, the New Orleans and Tennessee have aimed to make life easier on their rookie quarterbacks.

The Saints and Titans have met 17 times dating back to 1971. Tennessee leads the all-time matchup with 9 wins to 7 losses and a tie. Over their last six matchups, the two teams have alternated winners with New Orleans having the most recent win during a 16-15 Week 1 victory to open the 2023 season.

While both teams are in the middle of a rebuilding era, the excitement of a potential rookie quarterback showdown makes this matchup one to watch. The Saints and Titans have made various moves to help their rookie quarterbacks, and their Week 17 matchup could be a peak into the future of these organizations.

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Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...to-face-no-1-pick-cam-ward-in-week-17-matchup