New Orleans Saints edge rusher Carl Granderson had a chip on his shoulder in his week nine matchup against the Cleveland Browns after quarterback Shedeur Sanders disrespected their defense earlier in the week. And he didn’t disappoint, continuing his impressive season. He commented on his thoughts about Sanders following the game.
“We seen him chirping,” Granderson said. “I think it’s disrespectful for somebody to laugh at our defense, to take us as a joke. So we went and balled out.”
Beyond this, Granderson mocked Sanders on his Instagram after the game. Normally, this would be excessive from a defender. However, he backed it up with two sacks and dominated Cleveland’s offensive line. He was a key reason the Saints pulled off the overtime victory.
Carl Granderson has flashed brilliance throughout his career, but is finally making the jump towards stardom.
Granderson has quietly racked up 7.5 sacks this season. This ranks him third in the NFL, just 0.5 sacks behind teammate Chase Young. He’s also tallied multiple sacks in four straight weeks, something the Saints haven’t done in franchise history, and it's been 13 years since it happened in the league.
Granderon’s potential has always been clear. The former undrafted free agent has been a rotational player for eight years and has had stretches of dominance. However, the underlying story has been his inconsistent play and disappearance from games.
Now, he’s changing the narrative and is establishing himself as a premier pass rusher in the entire NFL, not just in New Orleans. The six-foot-five, 261-pound veteran pairs staggering power with a relentless motor, making him dangerous. He’s primed to break out nationally if he keeps producing.
The Saints’ tandem of edge rushers, Granderson and Chase Young, has been unstoppable in 2026 and can help lead them into the playoffs. They've combined for 15.5 sacks and have bailed out a questionable secondary. It’s pivotal that they keep pressuring the quarterback and speeding them up.
Without them, the Saints’ season is looking different. It’s already been a tumultuous start with a 3-5 record; however, it could be much worse. Their elite performances despite a struggling defense should give fans hope about the unit’s future success. If the secondary improves, don’t be shocked to see this group quickly improve.
Carl Granderson is beginning to gain recognition for his stellar season, but he’s still underrated. His dominant performance against the Browns shows his prowess and proves that he’s ready to be one of the NFL’s most dynamic pass rushers.
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