Catch Saints’ Adam Trautman at Tight End University this offseason

At least one New Orleans Saints player plans to hit the books this offseason — tight end Adam Trautman recently attended Tight End University this summer to work on honing his craft.

Of course, this is no ordinary college course. Tight End University was conceived by San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle, Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce, and former NFL player Greg Olsen last year, serving as a fun opportunity for the league’s best tight ends to get together and develop their skills.

The event has since grown in popularity, and TEU had its second year of “classes” last week from June 22-24 in Nashville. Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen, New York Jets’ Zach Wilson, and Jacksonville Jaguars’ C.J. Beathard were the chosen quarterbacks to throw passes at the event, and Trautman joined one of roughly two dozen pros listed in attendance.

Let’s hope Trautman learned a thing or two while playing with the most elite tight ends in the NFL.

NOLA Saints’ Adam Trautman is working on being a better tight end in 2022

Trautman, a third-round pick of the 2020 draft, hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations in NOLA. After the departure of Jared Cook, he was touted to develop into the team’s most reliable and consistent pass-catching tight end last year, but he instead put together a underwhelming season and turned into a huge flop.

In 13 games in 2021, Trautman recorded 27 catches for 263 yards and two touchdowns while undrafted free agent Juwan Johnson scored twice as many touchdowns and proved his value to the team as a potential starting-caliber tight end.

The Saints recently signed Brandon Dillon to add depth to a crowded tight end room, though the TE1 battle will likely come down to Trautman, Johnson, and Taysom Hill.

Trautman has yet another breakout opportunity in his third season at NOLA, but fans are understandably pessimistic given what he showed on the field last season.

In Trautman’s defense, he was playing under the arm of Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian all last year. This season, he could indeed flourish with the return of Jameis Winston, who earned a fifth-best passer rating when targeting tight ends during his time on the Bucs.

Can Trautman apply what he learned this summer and see real improvements in his game in 2022?