Saints’ most impactful new addition could be an under-the-radar signing

Despite coming off a 9-8 season, and a third straight year missing the playoffs, the New Orleans Saints didn’t have an explosive offseason. They didn’t move on from core veterans and start a rebuild, but they also didn’t aggressively pursue top free agents to improve the roster. Instead, New Orleans restructured contracts and made several lowkey signings.

The biggest moves of the offseason for the Saints were hiring Klint Kubiak as offensive coordinator and signing defensive end Chase Young. The rest of the moves can be categorized as under-the-radar. However, that doesn’t mean the moves won’t be impactful. In fact, there’s an argument that one of those under-the-radar moves could be the most impactful of all new additions.

Kristopher Knox, in a recent piece for Bleacher Report, named the most overlooked additions of the 2024 NFL offseason. On the list was linebacker Willie Gay joining New Orleans.

Willie Gay predicted to have a big impact for Saints

Knox pointed out that New Orleans won nine games last season, so the team shouldn’t be overlooked this year. As the Saints try to make it back to the postseason, Knox believes Willie Gay can help the team get over the hump.

"The Saints defense, which ranked eighth in points allowed in 2023, was good but not truly elite. Adding Gay to a defense that includes Cameron Jordan, Demario Davis, Tyrann Mathieu and Marshon Lattimore could change that narrative."

- Kristopher Knox (Bleacher Report)

With Gay now a part of the defense, Knox argues that New Orleans added “a legitimate difference-maker at the second level and a leader with extensive playoff experience.” Knox went on to highlight how teammates and coaches have already raved about Gay’s speed, athleticism, and energy after going through OTAs and minicamp with him.

The Saints now have three starting caliber linebackers and that’ll help the team out in several ways. It will allow New Orleans to have an elite linebacker group when running the base defense, with Gay, Demario Davis, and Pete Werner all on the field. Additionally, it gives the Saints great depth for when they run two-linebacker packages. With Gay, Davis, and Werner, along with the rest of the defense, all flying around, the Saints have the chance to be a dominant defense.

READ MORE