The Saints began the post-Drew Brees era in 2021, a season which included mixed results. New Orleans’ defense stood out as one of the best units in the NFL, but its offense struggled down the stretch in particular, leaving the team outside of the playoff picture. The absence of wideout Michael Thomas was exacerbated by the midseason loss of Brees’ successor, Jameis Winston (leading to a league-worst passing attack), and the questions surrounding their respective futures clouded the onset of the offseason.
More headlines were made when Sean Payton, the only coach to lead the franchise to a Super Bowl, stepped away from the team. A number of changes among the coaching staff were therefore necessary; likewise, another offseason of the salary cap gymnastics general manager Mickey Loomis has become known for were required to manufacture roster flexibility. Given the moves made in that regard, some notable names have arrived, leading to renewed optimism for a postseason run. Will the franchise’s handling of new and old obstacles return them to contender status?
Free agent additions:
- Tyrann Mathieu, S. Three years, $27MM. $18MM guaranteed.
- Marcus Maye, S. Three years, $22.5MM. $14.5MM guaranteed.
- Jarvis Landry, WR. One year, $3MM. $3MM guaranteed.
- Andy Dalton, QB. One year, $3MM. $3MM guaranteed.
- Daniel Sorensen, S. One year, $1.27MM. $500K guaranteed.
- Kentavius Street, DE. One year, $1.27MM. $300K guaranteed.
- Nick Martin, C. One year, $1.19MM. $153K guaranteed. (Signed to practice squad 8/31).
- Eric Wilson, LB. One year, $1.04MM. (Signed to practice squad 8/31).
- Josh Andrews, OL. One year, $1.04MM. (Signed to practice squad 8/31).
- Taco Charlton, DE. One year, $1.04MM. (Signed to practice squad 8/31).
- J.P. Holtz, TE. One year, $965K. (Signed to practice squad 8/31).
With limited finances to work with, it is unsurprising that only two multiyear deals were handed out. Likewise, the 
fact that they each went to safeties comes as little shock, with both starting spots needing to be filled. Mathieu spent much more time on the free agent market than his pedigree would have suggested, but he will still manage to reach the eight-figure-per-year mark with his hometown team should he maximize the pact’s incentives. The LSU alum and New Orleans native drew interest from teams like the Rams, Steelers and Eagles, but the Saints had long been considered his eventual landing spot in the buildup to his signing.
During a highly productive…