The New Orleans Saints are working to signal free agent security Julian Blackmon as a substitute for the retired Tyrann Mathieu, sources instructed ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
A deal has not been finalized, however the sides have been in talks, sources stated.
The Saints have made a number of additions to their protection this offseason beneath new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. Security Justin Reid was the highest-profile addition so far, signing a three-year deal averaging $10.5 million firstly of free company.
A former third-round decide, Blackmon is likely one of the finest safeties nonetheless accessible. He was disenchanted in his market this previous offseason, returning to the Indianapolis Colts on a one-year deal price lower than $4 million. His hopes have been to enhance his odds of touchdown a multiyear deal in 2025 by having a productive season, however he was knocked off track by a torn labrum he suffered within the season opener.
Blackmon, 26, nonetheless managed to play a career-high 16 video games, however his efficiency did not meet his expectations. The damage, he stated in January, “impacted me vastly.” Even so, with three interceptions and 86 tackles, Blackmon impacted the Colts’ protection and helped deliver some stability to a really younger and injury-plagued Indianapolis secondary.
Reid and Mathieu have been assumed to be the beginning safeties in Staley’s protection this season. However with out Mathieu, the Saints do not at the moment have a lot expertise within the security room.
Veteran security J.T. Gray primarily performs particular groups, Terrell Burgess was signed in Might after the Buffalo Bills waived him from injured reserve final 12 months and Ugo Amadi was re-signed after beginning 5 video games final season. Third-year participant Jordan Howden began two video games final season.
Mathieu’s departure can also be a part of a brand new look secondary, which misplaced cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore (traded to Washington Commanders) and Paulson Adebo (signed with New York Giants) over the previous 12 months.
“That is what the NFL is. It is about changes, whether or not it is personnel or schematically,” stated Saints coach Kellen Moore on Tuesday. “So that you perceive that you’ve plans in place and it’s important to regulate and I feel total that security place, we received some youthful gamers, some guys who’ve been there via the entire offseason course of which have accomplished only a phenomenal job. We’re excited from these guys and we’ll proceed to guage the roster acquisition as we go.”
The Saints had $23.8 million in accessible cap area earlier than Mathieu’s retirement.
Blackmon has proven himself to be a flexible participant throughout his profession. He was a cornerback and security in faculty, then moved to free security for many of his first three seasons. However the Colts finally moved him to robust security, the place he thrived in 2023. Workforce wants prompted the Colts to maneuver him again to free security this previous season, a spot that may be much less impactful in former defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s single-high security system.
Blackmon has 10 interceptions and 300 tackles in 5 seasons.
ESPN’s Katherine Terrell and Stephen Holder contributed to this report.