Linebacker is quietly a pretty shallow position for the New Orleans Saints. Kaden Elliss was a big free agency addition. Pete Werner has been a solid starter. Behind them is the youth movement of Danny Stutsman, Isaiah Stalbird and Jaylan Ford, with the latter primarily being a special teamer. The Saints latest signing, Jackson Sirmon, could follow a similar path.
One player walking in the door means another one has to walk out of the door. Cornerback Jeremiah McClendon was waived on Wednesday in response to the Saints signing Sirmon. Unlike Sirmon, McClendon was at a position where there were multiple bodies. The undrafted free agent sat behind starters Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley. Martin Emerson and Issac Yiadom are in line at backup. They have multiple other players behind those four as well.
Sirmon steps in as a player who is more than likely going to be a practice squad player. That's what he's been in the two years he's been on the New York Jets roster. Sirmon has logged snaps in one game, and he played 18 snaps on special teams.
Yes, Jackson Sirmon is Saints LB coach Peter Sirmon's son
Sirmon's last name is going to catch some attention. He shares a last name and blood with the Saints linebacker coach Peter Sirmon. His dad actually coached him in college. After two years apart, the father-son duo has reunited again.
Younger Sirmon had his own laurels coming out of Cal. He was first team All-Pac 12 in his senior year. The Sirmon last name likely played a factor in him making it to the 90 man roster in time, but it won't get him any further than that.
The Saints seem to have clear pool of who could be their starting linebackers. Elliss is a lock. Werner has the leg up but should be in a competition with Stutsman. Stalbird could easily find himself in that mix as well. If Sirmon makes the roster, he'll fall into that Ford role as a special teamer. It's hard to imagine this being more than a depth piece.
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