The New Orleans Saints have a decision to make about defensive tackle Bryan Bresee this offseason. Should they or should they not tag on his fifth-year option?
Short answer is no. Bresee was taken with the 29th pick that year. Since then, he's played in 49 games and gathered 86 tackles, 14.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Not bad, but not elite either. He has to be better next season, regardless of if he has a contract for 2027.
If the option is exercised, the Saints would need to pay Bresee $12.9 million in a year when they are expected to have the most cap space they've had in years ($130 million to $150 million). That's money that the organization might want to spend elsewhere, on players that they think would have a better shot at success in New Orleans
2026 will be Bryan Bresee's most important season yet
Whether or not the Saints pick up his fifth-year option, the 2026 season will be the most important of Bryan Bresee's career, because he hasn't really done enough to substantiate the Saints picking up his fifth-year option. His 2.5 sacks this season are a sign that 2025 was a regression, as it was the lowest number in his career. Given that he was in a system where other players had career years, it is intriguing that he experienced the opposite effect.
Maybe he just needed a year to figure out Brandon Staley's system, or rather, he should probably hope that's the case. The Saints might want to give younger players like Vernon Broughton or a future draft pick a chance if he doesn't get better soon.
Either way you slice it, whether they tag on the option or not, his fourth season will be a win-now scenario for him. If his option isn't picked up, he'll have to play well enough next season to show not only the Saints but also other teams in the NFL that he's worth a future roster spot. If his option is picked up, then he'll have to show the Saints and the Who Dat Nation that he's worth the $12.9 million he'd be earning in his fifth season.