Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
An interesting position to watch throughout New Orleans Saints training camp this year will be safety. While the Saints look to have their two starters prepared for defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s system, some recent contract dealings create curiosity around a potential shake up.
If nothing else, the position has several options from which top backups become important for the purposes of injury, but also subpackages that may call for more than five defensive backs to be on the field.
The Competitors
Beyond the top players like Justin Reid and Tyrann Mathieu, a line up of players awaits.
Veterans J.T. Gray, Ugo Amadi, and Terrell Burgess, along with third-year safety Jordan Howden and rookies Jonas Sanker (third round) and Elliott Davison (undrafted), will all compete for roles, whether returning or newly earned.
Each of the players behind Reid and Mathieu could at least make the roster through special teams pathways. However, there’s a question around what the top safety tandem will look like throughout the season.
Mathieu signed a new deal going into the 2025 season, a deal that is heavily built around playing time incentives.
Here is Tyrann Mathieu’s full reworked contract:
2025: $6.09 million cap, $1.53 million base
Up to $3.25 million in playtime incentives:
45%: $125,000
50%: $375,000
60%: $500,000
70%: $500,000
80%: $750,000
85%: $1,000,000Voids on last day of 2025 league year
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) March 26, 2025
The Saints look to be preparing for one of two realities or potentially both:
- Insuring protections should Mathieu deal with any substantial time missed throughout the season.
- Guaranteeing themselves flexibility should a lineup change be in the cards with the team’s new defense.
Neither of those possibilities may become a reality in 2025. But there’s nothing wrong with being prepared. Mathieu still has a $6.09 million cap hit, elucidating a clear comfort that he can maintain a starting role.
Mathieu has backed up that expectation himself, confirming that he would like to play for at least another pair of seasons.
What It Will Take To Win
Secure and reliable tackling should be at the forefront for this battle. Sanker and Reid have proven to be reliable when it comes to getting ball carriers to the ground.
Mathieu finished No. 2 in the team in missed tackles last season with 15, per Pro Football Reference. This has been an oft-mentioned thorn in the side of the Saint defense. Making strides here will be a priority.
One has to imagine that in Staley’s defense, versatility will be a big factor in the conversation. Defensive pass game coordinator Terry Joseph indicated to LouisianaSport.Net that disguise will be a major focus for the defense this year, making every coverage look the same before the snap. Therefore having safeties that can be interchangeable in their responsibilities will be a key asset.
Is There A Front-Runner?
Reid is a lock in one of the starting spots. And while Mathieu’s situation is one to watch with his new contract, the likelihood of him being usurped as one of the top two safeties feels unlikely for now. Training camp will provide some of the young guns their opportunities, but for now the starters or top snap-getters are pretty clear.
The real battle here may end up being for the backup roles and who can begin to put themselves on the map for future years.
