The New Orleans Saints’ linebacker room was devastated by the loss of Demario Davis this offseason; however, they’ve rebounded quickly, largely due to Pete Werner’s emergence. His domination in all three aspects of defense, run defense, coverage, and pass rush, is a major reason for their early-season success.
The defense was arguably the Saints’ biggest concern heading into 2026, yet they impressed and held their own against two high-octane offenses. Statistically, their defense is nothing special, ranking 15th in yards per game, but facing Derrick Henry and Jahmyr Gibbs will do that. Anyone following the team will highlight their spectacular performances.
They’ve single-handedly kept Kellen Moore’s squad competitive, despite slow starts from the offense. Chase Young, Jonas Sanker, and Kool-Aid McKinstry are getting well-deserved credit, but Werner and the other linebackers’ performances have been the deciding factor in games.
Brandon Staley’s system is maximizing Pete Werner and the other linebackers.
Pete Werner has been impactful since being drafted in 2020. However, his career has been defined by inconsistencies, whether that’s tackling or play recognition. He was good in 2025, but this year he's taken the next step in Staley’s defense.
This is largely due to his immaculate fit in the scheme. Staley asks his linebackers to be incredibly versatile and be more than a one-dimensional run defender or coverage player. Instead, they always have a different task, whether it’s blitzing, dropping back into a zone, or triggering downhill to defend the run.
Additionally, Staley’s scheme is extremely zone coverage-heavy. According to Sharp Football Analysis, the Saints run it on 84.5% of snaps, ranking seventh in the NFL. This plays to Werner’s strength, as he’s instinctual and excels at reading the quarterback's eyes.
Beyond that, Werner’s taken major steps as a run defender. He’s struggled with missed tackles throughout his career, tallying 49 in his first five seasons. But that’s drastically improved this year, as he hasn’t missed one, despite already racking up an impressive 18 tackles.
For the cherry on top, Werner developed into a formidable pass rusher, adding three pressures and one sack last week. He isn't elite in this area, but he’s a dangerous blitzer who can wreak havoc on the opposing quarterback.
Pete Werner’s been heavily criticized throughout his career for his inconsistency, but he’s having a breakout season and is a budding star in Brandon Staley’s defense. He’s a key player for the Saints, and his performance will play a key part in determining their success.
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