In just his third start, New Orleans Saints safety Jonas Sanker had a breakout game in Buffalo against the Bills. The Monday after the game, the first thing he did was give credit to the coaching staff.
Sanker has only started three games at safety, and the day after the loss in Buffalo, the rookie out of Virginia was asked if he's gotten more comfortable. "A lot of it just speaks on the coaching. They've done a really good job with me during the week and just getting ready, knowing where to have my eyes and just kind of what to expect," Sanker said to the media. "Then on some of the big plays, the big things were just trusting the technique."
He had one interception and two pass breakups on the day. For the Saints, Sanker's first career interception was also their first interception of 2025. However Sanker might've impressed even more on when he batted a pass that was intended for Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid. Four weeks through, he is also the Saints highest graded, qualifying defensive back on Pro Football Focus.
Saints safety Justin Reid also gets a shoutout from Jonas Sanker
Jonas Sanker wasn't supposed to be starting alongside Justin Reid at safety heading into week four. Just a few months ago, Justin Reid's partner in crime was future hall of famer Tyrann Mathieu, who unexpectedly retired in July.
After that, it was free agent signing Julian Blackmon, who unfortunately would tear his labrum during the week one Cardinals game. That left the team with two options: third-year man Jordan Howden, who's shown some promise in the past, or Sanker, a rookie.
The Saints went with the latter. "It's just kind of a next man up mentality," Sanker said to the media before crediting Reid for helping him get comfortable. "And, y'know, being lucky enough to have a guy like Justin (Reid) beside you. He's a very vocal leader who's done this for a long time. He's also played against the Bills so many times that he knows exactly what they want to do, when they want to do it, and who they want to get the ball to. He was really helpful for me that whole week."
The rookie will get his chance to ride this wave of momentum when the Saints head home to face the Giants, in their first game of October.