Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
With free agency officially opening a month from now, the New Orleans Saints have several players headed to the open market. Some are key contributors the team would like to keep and others that could stick around to help for depth and special teams purposes. Others could depart for bigger opportunities and contracts elsewhere.
Here are all of the outgoing free agents on expiring contracts Saints fans should be on the watch for over the next month. During that time, re-signings and departures could be on the way. This list does not include those on voiding deals such as defensive end Cameron Jordan and linebacker Demario Davis; they will be covered in another piece of the series.
One of the team’s top defenders, Taylor could be on the move for greeners pastures this offseason. While the Saints are on the rise, individual roles available for Taylor could vary. He’s a key cog in the Saints’ defensive machine as the “STAR” defender that plays both boundary and slot corner in defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s system. But some teams in free agency may look to pay him as an exclusively outside corner. That would mean a big payday and more static role for Taylor, which could both be appealing.
The former Jacksonville Jaguars center was acquired during the preseason via trade. After making the roster, he became a key contributor the Saints should be clamouring to get back. Following the team’s Week 7 loss to the Chicago Bears, the game that set in motion the then-impending quarterback change, the Saints learned they were going to be without starting center Erik McCoy for the remainder of the season. Thanks to Fortner, the New Orleans ship didn’t sink like it did in 2025. Fortner is a valuable depth player that the Saints should want back in uniform next season.
OL Will Clapp
A son of New Orleans, Clapp didn’t get a chance to contribute during his return season to the Saints due to a preseason injury that sidelined him for the year. While on Injured Reserve throughout the season, the offensive lineman helped as a coach on the sideline and during practices. Getting him back for 2026 could provide valuable depth.
The former Tennessee Titans signed with the Saints ahead of the 2025 season as a key depth addition and ended up starting 10 games. With the Clapp injury and then the trade that sent former first-round pick Trevor Penning to the Los Angeles Chargers, he was thrust into the starting left guard role. Seeing him back in the black and gold next year would make sense, but the team will likely look to land a new starter at the position as well.
Additional Expiring Contracts
DBs Ugo Amadi, Terrell Burgess and Michael Davis. DL Jonathan Bullard, John Ridgeway III, Chris Rumph II, and Jonah Williams. OL Landon Young. TEs Mason Pline and Jack Stoll. WR Dante Pettis.
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