The New Orleans Saints’ coaching staff just got back to the offices on Tuesday and took very little time getting one of their first moves done. The Saints announced on Tuesday afternoon that they have signed veteran safety Julian Blackmon to a one-year extension.
The #Saints announced that they have re-signed safety Julian Blackmon on a one-year deal.
The promising safety is back for New Orleans in 2026.
— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) January 20, 2026
Blackmon was an immediately impactful addition to the Saints’ defense during training camp, during which time he made numerous standout plays and generated a number of turnovers.
The former Indianapolis Colts safety only saw one game of action with New Orleans in 2025 before missing the remainder of the season with what was reported as a torn labrum.
The safety’s return doesn’t cast a cloud over the impressive performance of rookie safety Jonas Sanker, who took over for Blackmon beginning in Week 2. More than likely, the team will be looking to find ways to get them both on the field when possible rather than replacing one with the other.
In former Colts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s defense, Blackmon played a role similar to that of Saints’ defensive playcaller Brandon Staley’s “STAR” role in the slot. He spent 295 snaps in the slot in 2022 and 175 in the slot in 2023, per Pro Football Reference.
New Orleans runs the risk of losing slot cornerback Alontae Taylor in free agency this offseason. Blackmon adds another versatile defensive back that could help to absorb that loss in the event of Taylor’s departure.
