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USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Highlighting 3 positions where the Saints got better this offseason
Where did this Saints team improve? Looking back at this past offseason for the New Orleans Saints, there was plenty to be said about the lack of depth and star power on both sides of the ball. While already in a difficult cap situation at the start of March, the Saints managed to make a handful of strategic moves aimed at bringing in contributors without sacrificing long-term flexibility. Most importantly, the team retained its draft capital and selected nine players in hopes of forming a young, sustainable core under new head coach Kellen Moore. With an aging roster filled with veterans no longer playing at their peak, it was clear that improvement was needed across the board. Fortunately for New Orleans, several key position groups saw notable upgrades--both through the draft and free agency. Here's a look at the positions where the Saints got better this offseason: Offensive line Coming into the offseason, the Saints faced major questions along the offensive line--particularly at left guard and right tackle. While 2024 first-round pick Taliese Fuaga had a solid rookie campaign, and the interior features Pro Bowl center Erik McCoy and steady right guard Cesar Ruiz, the rest of the line lacked clarity. With Lucas Patrick departing and Trevor Penning still an unknown at tackle, the team needed to solidify those spots. With their first pick in this year's draft, they addressed the most pressing concern by selecting Kevin Banks Jr., a plug-and-play starter at left tackle. This move allows Fuaga to slide to his natural position at right tackle and gives the Saints flexibility with Penning, who could slide inside to left guard--a position many believe may better suit his skill set. Additionally, the signing of veteran Dillon Radunz provides valuable insurance at both tackle and guard, giving the Saints a more stable and versatile unit up front as they head into the 2025 season. Defensive tackle After finishing with a bottom-three run defense last season, the Saints had major work to do up front. Instead of overhauling the entire defensive tackle group, the team opted to retain veterans like Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders while strategically adding new pieces to the mix. Their first major move came early in the offseason with the signing of Davon Godchaux, one of the league's premier nose tackles and a Louisiana native coming over from New England. To further bolster the interior, the Saints used their first third-round pick on Texas defensive tackle Vernon Broughton, adding a dose of athleticism and youth to a unit in need of fresh legs and improved disruption. Safety The safety position saw a quiet but meaningful overhaul this offseason as the Saints worked to get younger, more versatile, and deeper on the back end. With Tyrann Mathieu entering the twilight of his career and no answer beside him, the team knew they needed to add quickly. The headliner of this year's free agent class safety Justin Reid, signed with the team after a strong run with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he played a key role in two Super Bowl titles. Reid brings a unique skillset to the safety room as a physical downhill thumper, who can lock up tight ends and limit running backs out of the backfield. The Saints then used a third-round selection on Virginia's Jonas Sanker, a physical and instinctive safety with long-term starter potential. With Jordan Howden also returning for his second year, the Saints now have a well-rounded safety room that blends youth, versatility, and veteran stability.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Biggest Eagles questions of 2025 by position: Offense
Biggest Eagles questions of 2025 by position: Offense originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia The Eagles will be back at the NovaCare Complex in about a month as they prepare to defend their Super Bowl championship. Advertisement After winning Super Bowl LIX, the Eagles lost some players in free agency but still boast an immensely talented roster and are the favorites to win Super Bowl LX despite a really tough schedule. Of course, it's really hard to win a Super Bowl and there are plenty of questions about this team as training camp looms. Here's a question per position on offense. We'll look at defense tomorrow. Quarterback: How will Jalen Hurts handle another new OC/QBs coach? Jalen Hurts is entering his sixth NFL season in 2025 and will have his sixth different play-caller in Kevin Patullo, who follows Doug Pederson, Nick Sirianni, Shane Steichen, Brian Johnson and Kellen Moore. While Hurts has previously been open about his yearning for more stability at that position, it just hasn't been his reality. This year, Patullo was promoted to offensive coordinator after Moore took the head coaching job in New Orleans. Moore also took Doug Nussmeier with him and the Eagles hired Scot Loeffler to be their new quarterbacks coach. Advertisement Hurts has been the true constant in the Eagles' offense and the offense has always been molded to him. Because Patullo has been with the Eagles the last four years as passing game coordinator, it seems unlikely we'll see major changes coming on that side of the ball this year. But it'll be important that Patullo and Hurts work well together. 'There's some nuances that are different,' Hurts said this spring. 'I know in the past, I gave a number on that matter. But things evolve and things change as time goes on. We're just really bought into that. That's an important thing. That's something that I've learned as well, that you have to be able to evolve as time goes on. 'Given Coach Kevin Patullo and his new role now and him being the one in charge of offensive leadership, you get new pieces and new ideas that come from everyone.' Running back: How will Saquon Barkley fare after heavy workload in 2024? Saquon Barkley put together the best running back season in NFL history last season. And that's not hyperbole. He ended up rushing for more yards in the regular season and playoffs than any back in NFL history. But that production came with a career-high 482 touches over those 20 games. Barkley's previous career-high in touches came in 2022 when he had 377. So we're talking about over 100 more touches last season than Barkley has ever had in a season in his NFL career. Advertisement The Eagles are going to do everything in their power to save Barkley's legs — just like they did during the 2024 season — but it's fair to wonder how all of those touches are going to affect Barkley going into the 2025 season. He was the centerpiece of the Eagles' offense last season but teams are also going to sell out to try and stop him this season as the Eagles look to repeat. It's unfair to expect Barkley to duplicate his incredible 2024 season but Barkley this spring said he feels like he's just entering the prime of his career. Barkley last season became just the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season and none of the previous eight have ever been able to do it again. While rushing for 2K was never initially a goal for Barkley, he did admit that it would be pretty cool to do it again. Receiver: Will Jahan Dotson be more involved? The Eagles didn't acquire Jahan Dotson from the Commanders until August last year and his first season with the Eagles' wasn't very productive. Despite playing 674 snaps in the regular season, Dotson had just 19 catches for 216 yards — both lows among the 67 NFL receivers who played 600+ snaps in 2024. Advertisement But Dotson was reliable in that he didn't drop a single pass all season and he even made some plays in the playoffs. In the postseason, he had 3 catches for 53 yards and a touchdown. He nearly had another touchdown in the first quarter of the Super Bowl but it was overturned because he was down at the 1-yard line. The good news going into this season is that Dotson and Hurts have had plenty of time to work together this spring and will have a full training camp together. Trust is an important element between and quarterback and receiver but especially with Hurts. We've seen that over his years as the Eagles' starting quarterback. Aside from the question about Dotson, it's also worth wondering which receivers will make the roster. The top three — A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Dotson — are locks. But after that, there are guys like Johnny Wilson, Ainias Smith, Avery Williams, Terrace Marshall, Danny Gray and more fighting for two or three spots. Tight end: Can Dallas Goedert make most of contract year? For most of the offseason, it looked like Dallas Goedert's time with the Eagles was coming to a close. But Goedert was never traded and eventually reached an agreement with the Eagles on a pay cut to stay in Philly for the 2025 season. Goedert admitted that he just needed to feel comfortable with a number before agreeing to the restructured contract and was happy to remain in Philly. Goedert will now get paid $10 million in 2025 with the potential to earn another $1 million. It was a fair compromise between the two sides. Advertisement And now Goedert is entering a contract year at age 30 with a chance to earn a multi-year deal if he can prove he can stay healthy and remain productive. This feels a lot like the situation with Josh Sweat last year. Sweat took a pay cut and then played well and got a four-year, $76 million deal to join the Arizona Cardinals. The thing about Goedert is that it's not his production that has been in question. He has been a productive player in his NFL career and is coming off a postseason where he caught 17 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown. That's the second-most receiving yards an Eagles player has ever had in a single postseason. The problem with Goedert has been his health. While he hasn't suffered season-ending injuries, he consistently misses time in the middle of the season. He hasn't played a full season since his rookie year in 2018. Last year he played 10 games, he played 14 in 2023, 12 in 2022, 15 in 2021, 11 in 2020 and 15 in 2019. Goedert always returns for the playoffs but the Eagles still have to figure out how to get by without him for a few weeks during the middle of every season. Interior OL: Is Tyler Steen the right guard this year? At this time last year, most people assumed Tyler Steen would be the Eagles' starting right guard after he got the reps at that position during spring practices. Cam Jurgens was moving from RG to C and someone had to replace him. Why not the 2023 third-round pick? But when Steen suffered a minor ankle injury early in training camp, the Eagles eagerly plugged Mekhi Becton into that role and he never left it. Becton was the full-time starter last year and parlayed that success into a two-year deal with the Chargers. Advertisement So now the Eagles have to figure out the right guard position yet again. And for the second year in a row it looks like this is Steen's job to lose. The top competitors for this position are Matt Pryor and maybe Kenyon Green. During spring practices, Pryor was working as the second-team right guard, which makes it seem like he's the top competitor for the gig. No matter who wins the right guard spot, the Eagles should still have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. They return four of their five starters from last season and all four of those players — Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Jurgens and Lane Johnson — are top players at their respective positions. The right guard spot is going to be the weak link but it's about just not being a liability. Offensive tackle: Who is the swing tackle? The Eagles are in a very good position with their starting offensive tackles as they bring back Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson, who form one of the best pairs of tackles in the NFL. Advertisement But one of the more underrated departures this offseason was Fred Johnson's leaving in free agency to join the Jacksonville Jaguars on a one-year deal. No, Johnson wasn't a star but Big Fred played 481 snaps (42%) last season and started four games at left tackle and one game at right tackle. There was obviously a drop-off from the starters to Johnson but he was a valuable player for the Eagles in 2024 and now he's gone. So who might the swing tackle be in 2025? The top option is probably 10-year veteran Kendall Lamm, who signed a one-year deal with the Eagles in free agency. Lamm, 33, has played in 119 NFL games with 44 starts with the Texans, Browns, Titans and Dolphins. Even though Lamm's season ended early with a back surgery in 2024, he was the second-team left tackle during spring practices. If Lamm isn't able to win the job, the top competitors are Darian Kinnard and rookies Myles Hinton and Cameron Williams.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 78
Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 78 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Saturday marks 78 days before the New Orleans Saints kick off their 2025-26 regular season with an opener against the Arizona Cardinals. Advertisement The Saints enter their 59th NFL season and do so with a new head coach in Kellen Moore after a 5-12 finish in 2024. Wearing number 78 New Orleans is standout center Erik McCoy. Entering his seventh year with the Saints, McCoy is already arguably the best of the 13 players to suit up in No. 78 for the franchise. Today, we take a look back at all the players that wore this jersey for New Orleans. Saints History of 78 New Orleans Saints defensive end Elois Grooms (78) closes in on Oakland Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler (12). Credit: • Jerry Jones, OT (1967-69) • Glen Ray Hines, OT (1971-72) • Billy Newsome, DE (1973-74) • Elois Grooms, DE (1975-81) • Kevin Clark, OG (1982-83) • Shawn Knight, DE (1987) • Jeff Walker, T/G (1989) Advertisement • Daryl Terrell, OT (1999-2001) • Jon Stinchcomb, OT (2003-10) • Bobby Richardson, DT (2015) • Landon Turner, OG (2016) • Cornelius Lucas, OT (2018) • Erik McCoy, C (2019-present) Aug 10, 2024; New Orleans Saints center Erik McCoy (78) snaps the ball against the Arizona Cardinals. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Jerry Jones (no, not that one) was the first recipient of a 78 jersey in Saints history, starting 22 contests over the first three years of the team's existence. Hines and Newsome then followed to each give New Orleans a couple of years. The Saints used a third round choice in the 1975 NFL Draft to select defensive lineman Elois Grooms out of Tennessee Tech. Undersized even for those days, Grooms put together a very good career despite often being on bad defenses. Advertisement In seven years with the Saints, Grooms had 42.5 (unofficial) sacks and intercepted 2 passes. His 12 sacks in 1979 led New Orleans defenders and was one of the best single-season totals in team history at the time. Grooms' seven years and 99 games with the Saints are the highest for any player who has worn number 78. New Orleans Saints defensive end Elois Grooms (78). Credit: Pinterest After Grooms there were four players that wore 78 over a 20-year stretch between 1982 and 2002. None of the four spent more than two years with the team. The biggest bust among them was Shawn Knight, a defensive tackle from BYU. Knight played only 10 games with the Saints as a rookie in 1987 before being traded to the Denver Broncos in 1988 for another bust in Ted Gregory. The 11th choice in Round 1 of the 1987 NFL Draft, Knight holds the dubious distinction of being the highest drafted Saint to wear 78 and remains one of the biggest draft busts in team history. Advertisement In 2003, New Orleans used a second round draft choice on offensive tackle Jon Stinchcomb out of Georgia. After playing in only 10 games his first two seasons and missing 2005 with a knee injury, Stinchcomb all of the Saints 80 regular season games over his last five years. Jan 8, 2010; New Orleans Saints tackle Jon Stinchcomb (78) blocks Seattle Seahawks defensive end Raheem Brock (98) in the NFC Wild Card game. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-Imagn Images A fixture at right tackle, Stinchcomb earned Pro Bowl honors during the team's 2009 Super Bowl championship campaign. He retired before the 2011 season with 96 games as a Saint including playoff outings. New Orleans added another standout lineman to wear No. 78 with Erik McCoy, a Round 2 choice in the 2019 NFL Draft. Instantly a starter as a rookie, McCoy has been a staple of the offensive line and one of the league's best centers. Jan 1, 2023; New Orleans Saints center Erik McCoy (78) against the Philadelphia Eagles. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images McCoy has started all of his 81 games for the Saints, playing in every offensive snap during the 2020 and 2023 seasons and missing only a few in 2019. A groin injury sidelined him for 10 games last season, where the blocking for the team subsequently crumbled. Advertisement Erik McCoy's return to the lineup in 2025 is an underrated but major key to New Orleans offensive success. Related: Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 80 Related: Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 82 Related: Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 84 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 87 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 89 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 94 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 98 Related: Saints Sign Another Player To Their Tight End Position Related: Derek Carr Further Explains Retirement Decision From New Orleans Saints This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 81
Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 81 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Today marks 81 days from the 2025 regular season opener for the New Orleans Saints. The Saints will open this, their 59th NFL season, at home against the Arizona Cardinals under a new head coach in Kellen Moore. Advertisement Wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. is currently wearing number 81 for New Orleans. In his second year with the team, Austin is the 15th player to wear 81 for the Saints during a regular season contest. Here's a look back at all those previous players. Saints History of 81 New Orleans Saints defensive end Doug Atkins (81) against the Los Angeles Rams. Credit: • Doug Atkins, DE (1967-69) • Jesse Anderson, TE (1993) • Michael Haynes, WR (1994-96) • Randal Hill, WR (1997) • Scott Slutzker, TE (1998) • Lawrence Dawsey, WR (1999) • Lamont Hall, TE (2000-02) • Zachary Hilton, TE (2003) • Az-Zahir Hakim, WR (2005) • David Patten, WR (2007-08) • Michael Higgins, TE (2011-12) • Cameron Meredith, WR (2018) • Krishawn Hogan, WR (2019) Advertisement • Nick Vannett, TE (2021-22) • Kevin Austin Jr., WR (2024-present) New Orleans Saints defensive end Doug Atkins (81) pressures the passer against the Dallas Cowboys. Credit: Pro Football Journal The intimidating Doug Atkins was traded from the Chicago Bears to New Orleans for their first season in 1967. Atkins played the last three seasons of his career with the Saints and was one of the franchise's first disruptive defenders. Terrorizing offenses with New Orleans, Atkins registered 30 unofficial sacks in three years to cap off his magnificent career. Atkins has a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, College Football Hall of Fame, and in 1995 was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame. After Atkins, it wasn't until 1993 that another player would don number 81 in New Orleans. Jesse Anderson was also the first offensive player to wear it, although doing so for only one game. Louisiana native and former Atlanta Falcons star Michael Haynes would come along the following season to add more prestige to the jersey. New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Haynes runs after a catch against the San Francisco 49ers. Credit: SB Nation After seven years of torturing the Saints in a Falcons uniform, Haynes joined New Orleans as a free agent in 1994. He led the Saints with 985 receiving yards that season on 77 catches, the highest reception total and second best receiving yardage of his 10-year NFL career. Advertisement Haynes would also lead the 1996 Saints with 786 receiving yards before returning to Atlanta for his final NFL seasons. All told, Haynes had 162 receptions for 2,368 yards and 13 touchdowns in his three seasons with New Orleans. His 48 games wearing number 81 are tied with Lamont Hall for the most in New Orleans franchise history. Former Miami Hurricanes star Randal Hill joined the Saints for just one season in 1997. He caught 55 passes for 761 yards, both team-highs. Hill was the first in five of six players that wore 81 for only one year or less that included stars with other teams like Hakim and Dawsey, with Hall being the lone exception. David Patten finally broke that dubious streak when he arrived in 2007. Patten played less than two full seasons with the Saints, catching 65 passes for 954 yards. However, his 2007 production in New Orleans was the second best of his 12-year career. That season, he pulled in 54 balls for 792 yards and three scores. Sept 14, 2008; New Orleans Saints receiver David Patten (81) leaps for a pass against Washington Redskins linebacker London Fletcher (59). Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images Since Patten, six different players have worn 81 for the Saints but combined for just 33 games in the jersey. Meredith was the most disappointing, spending more time on the injury list than on the field while catching only 9 passes for 114 yards in six games during one season. Advertisement Austin appeared in eight games last year after injuries depleted the New Orleans wideouts. He caught 11 passes for 151 yards, but may have a difficult time earning a roster spot with the Saints again at a crowded receiver position. Related: Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 83 Related: Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 84 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 87 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 89 Related: Derek Carr Further Explains Retirement Decision From New Orleans Saints Related: Trevor Penning May Have A New Home On Saints Offensive Line This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 83
Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 83 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The start of this work week also marks 83 days before the New Orleans Saints start their 59th NFL season and 2025 regular season against the Arizona Cardinals. Advertisement New Orleans is expecting an improvement over their 5-12 record from a year ago. The Saints will be under new leadership on the sidelines in head coach Kellen Moore. They'll also run it back with many of the same familiar faces on the field. One of those same faces is tight end Juwan Johnson, who will be wearing number 83 in his sixth season. Johnson is the 18th player to wear No. 83 during a regular season game in franchise history. Today, we have a look at all the New Orleans contributors who have worn that jersey. Saints History of 83 November 24, 2008; New Orleans Saints tight end Billy Miller (83) breaks a tackle against the Green Bay Packers. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-Imagn Images • Vern Burke, TE (1967) • Dave Parks, TE (1968-72) • Len Garrett, TE (1973-75) Advertisement • Andy Hamilton, WR (1975) • Tinker Owens, WR (1976-80) • Kenny Duckett, WR (1982-85) • Carl Roaches, WR (1985) • Kelvin Edwards, WR (1986) • Dwight Walker, WR (1987) • Cliff Benson, TE (1987) • Greg Scales, WR (1988-91) • Torrance Small, WR (1992-96) • Keith Poole, WR (1997-2000) • Albert Connell, WR (2001) • Donte' Stallworth, WR (2002-05) • Billy Miller, TE (2006-08) • Willie Snead, WR (2015-17) • Juwan Johnson, TE (2020-present) New Orleans Saints tight end Dave Parks (83) with a catch against the San Francisco 49ers. Credit: Burke was the first to sport an 83 for New Orleans, catching 8 passes for 84 yards over seven games in the Saints' first season. Parks was a former first overall draft choice and three-time Pro Bowler when he came over from the 49ers. He didn't have quite the same success with New Orleans, but did play five years and had 149 catches for 2,254 yards with 16 touchdowns. Advertisement Tinker Owens was the first number 83 to start his career with the Saints. A fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma in 1976, Owens had 60 receptions for 785 yards and 4 scores while playing four years with the team. Duckett was the only one of the next five Saints to wear 83 to play more than one season, catching 34 passes for 503 yards and 4 touchdowns over 33 games. Scales played four years for the Saints through the late 1980s into early 1990s, but had only 21 catches for 196 yards. Nov 20, 1994; FILE PHOTO; New Orleans Saints receiver Torrance Small (83) catches a pass against Los Angeles Raiders defensive back James Trapp (37). Mandatory Credit: Long Photography-USA TODAY NETWORK Torrance Small followed Scales, and like Scales was a fifth-round draft choice. Small played five seasons in New Orleans, appearing in 72 games as a backup receiver. Advertisement Over that span, Small caught 176 passes for 2,180 yards and scored 16 times. He led the team in receptions during the 1996 season and was top-3 in receiving yards twice. Poole, a fourth-round pick by the team in 1997, had decent production for an otherwise awful team in three of his four seasons. He'd record 91 receptions for 1,696 yards while catching 11 touchdowns. Poole led the Saints in receiving scores in 1999, finishing second in both catches and yards. Donte' Stallworth was the highest drafted number 83 by New Orleans, getting selected in the first round with the 13th overall pick in 2002. Stallworth played four seasons for the Saints, playing 56 games and making 33 starts. September 11, 2005; New Orleans Saints wideout Donte Stallworth (83) after a reception against the Carolina Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images Copyright © 2005 Bob Donnan Over his four years with the Saints, Stallworth caught 195 passes for 2,791 yards and scored 23 touchdowns. His 70 catches, 945 yards, and 7 touchdowns in 2005 led the Saints and were the best of his 10-year career. Advertisement Stallworth was an outstanding complement to Pro Bowl WR Joe Horn during his other three seasons as a Saint. Surpassed by seventh-round rookie WR Marques Colston in 2006, Stallworth was surprisingly traded to the Eagles in preseason. Billy Miller came over to the Saints in 2006 to play the final three years of his career. Miller was a solid blocker and contributed 86 receptions, 1,036 yards, and 3 touchdowns during his time with New Orleans. Nov 1, 2015; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Willie Snead (83) catches a touchdown pass against the New York Giants. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-Imagn Images Undrafted in 2014, Willie Snead bounced from the Cleveland Browns to Carolina Panthers before landing on the New Orleans practice squad at the end of that season. He'd earn a spot in the lineup the following year, and would be a terrific threat within the Saints offense in two of his three seasons with New Orleans. Advertisement Snead took the NFL by storm in 2015, catching 69 passes for 984 yards and scoring three times. The following year, Snead pulled in 72 receptions for 895 yards and 4 touchdowns. Off-field issues limited Snead's contributions in 2017, but he remains one of the better undrafted acquisitions in franchise history. Juwan Johnson arrived as an undrafted wideout in 2020. After two years of modest production, Johnson converted to tight end during the 2022 preseason. Over the last three years, he's been a big part of the New Orleans offense and was re-signed to a lucrative three-year contract extension by the team this offseason. Johnson has 146 receptions for 1,622 yards and 18 touchdowns during his career. The majority of that production has come over the last three seasons after the switch to tight end. Dec 17, 2023; New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (83) catches a touchdown pass against the New York Giants. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images Johnson led the team in touchdown receptions in 2022 and led the Saints in receiving yardage last year. The mismatch he provides against defenses figures to be a key part of the Saints attack in 2025. Advertisement Entering his sixth season with New Orleans, Johnson is about to be the longest-tenured Saint to wear number 83. He needs only six more games to surpass Torrance Small's franchise-high in 83, while five more starts will allow him to pass up Dave Parks' team-high in that number. Related: Saints To Bring In Veteran Running Back For Minicamp Tryout Related: Derek Carr Further Explains Retirement Decision From New Orleans Saints Related: Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 86 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 87 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 88 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 89 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
