Werner’s snap count drops as Saints go young

By Ross Jackson

The state of the current New Orleans Saints team may be a source of frustration for some. For more than a decade, the team had formed itself into a contender and perennial playoff team. However, in recent years, that direction has dramatically shifted as the team looks to recapture that success. 

This year, the Saints have put a lot of focus and resources into building its future rather than retaining its past. That can make for some disappointing results as the process gradually advances week-by-week. 

Tell Me You’re Rebuilding Without Telling Me You’re Rebuilding 

While New Orleans undergoes its rebuild and looks to its future, certain identifiers of the team’s awareness of its position become hard to miss. That is especially true when it comes to evaluating young talent. 

Sometimes, part of changing the guard means also shifting player personnel beyond changes on coaching staffs. 

The Saints have not been afraid of this notion, getting young players like rookie cornerback Quincy Riley game exposure before turning to him as a starter due to injury. We have also seen the ascension of running back Kendre Miller, and most recently, looking at multiple options at linebacker. 

While star backer Demario Davis took his usual 100 percent of the snaps in the Saints’ Week 6 game against the New England Patriots, Pete Werner saw his lowest snap count (59%) since 2023. 

Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley and head coach Kellen Moore got a look at two young linebackers next to Davis throughout the game. Second-year linebacker Isaiah Stalbird, who has already played his way into game exposures earlier in the season, and rookie Danny Stutsman both saw snaps in place of Werner against New England. 

“We just put him in there for a little bit just to get him going,” Moore said of Stutsman after the game. “Obviously he’s a good player. He’s done some good football. I think it’s important that he has some exposure to the league.”

Linebacker Snap Counts

Demario Davis – 64 (100%)

Pete Werner – 38 (59%)

Isaiah Stalbird – 8 (12%(

Danny Stutsman – 6 (9%)

Are Stutsman and Stalbird Gunning For Werner’s Job?

Stutsman, in particular, has a lot of fans and people inside of the Saints’ facility buzzing. His energy, motor and tackling ability are all great qualities and traits to have in the middle of a team’s defense. But Stalbird shouldn’t be left out. His athleticism and deceptively powerful play style at his size (6-foot-1, 216-pounds) make him a very intriguing fit in Staley’s defensive scheme. 

What this means for Werner may be nothing more than having to share snaps for the sake of the evaluation process or could mean something more drastic. But if the veteran linebacker responds with more strong games like his five solo tackles (one for a loss), one sack and one pass break performance against the Patriots, he can insure himself a positive outcome while still providing a chance for his young teammates to develop. 

Trade Potential?

At this time of year, any reduction in snaps and increase in exposure for young players at the same position will be seen as indicative of trade potential. That may be, but remains to be seen for now as the NFL nears its Nov. 4 trade deadline. For now, this appears to be more about the promise of young players than a concern in the veteran one. 

The evaluation makes a lot of sense for a team in the Saints’ position among the NFL lifecycle.