The New Orleans Saints’ wide receiver room understandably has gotten a lot of attention this offseason because of how many new players were brought in, and how many spots are up for grabs.
The same can be said about linebacker.
The competition at that position is one of the more intriguing roster battles that will take place at training camp for the Saints. Demario Davis, New Orleans’ aging star, has his starting spot seemingly assured, but the rest of the field is wide open.
“We always just try to be one of the top units,” Davis said. “We try to be consistent. I think it starts at the top with our coaching. (Linebackers coach) Mike Hodges is one of the best I’ve ever been around, and I’ve had some really good linebacker coaches. He never drops the standard and it’s really about being disciplined and consistent.”
Current LB group
- Demario Davis
- Pete Werner
- Willie Gay
- Khaleke Hudson
- Jaylan Ford
- D’Marco Jackson
- Nephi Sewell
- Anfernee Orji
- Monty Rice
- Isaiah Stalbird
Burning question
What's in store for Pete Werner this season?
When Davis last met with reporters, he noted how Saints linebackers tend to get paid. Zack Baun, for instance, landed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles in March. The year before that, Kaden Elliss left New Orleans to join the Atlanta Falcons on a three-year, $21.5 million deal. Werner is next on the docket, but what he’s paid — and by whom — could be largely dependent on how this season goes.
“Pete would say maybe last year was not what he would’ve anticipated or expected,” coach Dennis Allen said.
Werner has been a steady starter next to Davis for two-plus seasons, but he didn’t take the step forward people thought he could make in 2023. Though he played a career-high 16 games, he averaged fewer tackles per game than 2022, didn’t force any fumbles (he had two the year prior) and struggled in the passing game. According to Pro Football Focus, opposing quarterbacks completed 50 passes for 470 yards when targeting Werner (60 targets). That 83.3% completion percentage was the highest for any Saints defender targeted at least 10 times.
This offseason, the Saints brought in competition for Werner by signing Gay and Hudson. Allen has said New Orleans has liked what it has seen in Werner’s response, but he’ll have to hold the two off with consistent play throughout the season.
Bold prediction
Whether he steals a starting spot from Werner or not, Gay’s addition should go a long way in helping solve the defense’s greatest weakness — stopping mobile quarterbacks.
Last year, the Saints gave up the fifth-most rushing yards (392) to quarterbacks at a league-high 5.4 yards per carry. By contrast, the Kansas City Chiefs — Gay's former team — allowed the 10th-most yards (342), but only 3.8 yards per carry, the eighth fewest. That average can’t all be attributed to Gay, but the linebacker still held an important role as the Chiefs’ spy linebacker. Kansas City relied on Gay’s speed to shadow mobile passers such as Buffalo’s Josh Allen and Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson.
“It’s just like playing backyard football,” Gay said. “(Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) brought that package up to me three years ago ... it’s easy, you know? It was very effective for us over there, and I’m looking forward to bringing it to the Saints in any way I can. Anyway the defensive coaches want to use me, I’m ready to be that weapon they can count on.”
Gay, who has 47 starts in 57 career games, hasn’t been shy about wanting to be a starter with the Saints. Since the Saints normally deploy two linebackers, Gay’s playing time will be worth monitoring if Werner and Davis hold onto their spots. Baun, last year’s third linebacker, played just over 27% of the defensive snaps. That would be a sharp drop-off for Gay, who played 62.1% of Kansas City’s snaps.
Regardless, New Orleans is sure to be tested by scrambling quarterbacks again. Philadelphia's Jalen Hurts, Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes, Dallas' Dak Prescott and the Giants' Daniel Jones are among those on the 2024 schedule.