Saints Mailbag: MVS extension, disappearing tight end and Rizzi’s return

By Ross Jackson

It has been an eventful season for the New Orleans Saints. From a head coaching change to a rookie quarterback starter to an abnormal amount of costly injuries, the year has not been without its twists. Now, with a quiet bye week coming to a close, we’re turning the light you and your questions. 

“Two games isn’t much of a sample size, but given what we’ve seen, should the Saints extend Marquez Valdes-Scantling and what would a reasonable extension look like?”

Valdez-Scantling has been outstanding so far for New Orleans. He has reeled in three receiving touchdowns, each over 40-yards, allowing the Saints to reignite their early-season explosiveness. 

However, extending the veteran wide receiver now would be a shock. Considering the team isn’t even yet sure of who its head coach is next year, knowing which players on expiring contracts that coach wants for their offense is tough. 

Especially considering the new head coach could be an offensive playcaller, thereby casting out the team’s current staff. 

If New Orleans were able to retain Valdes-Scantling, a two-year, $8 million deal would be the highest I could see a team going. Shaheed’s one-year extension beyond his exclusive rights free agency deal was worth $5.2 million for one year, so any average above that wouldn’t make much sense. I’d expect any retention of Valdez-Scantling to happen as a re-sign after the season 

“When are we going to see what Dallin Holker can do for the passing game?”

Barring injury, not likely more than flashes in 2024. The Saints are finding a lot of success with the top of their tight end room. Digging too much deeper will have its time and place, but it seems that unless something changes there, Holker won’t see a ton of opportunity his rookie season. 

Don’t be surprise if he has a touchdown or two by the end of the season, however. He’s patiently awaiting his chance to help make an impact, and even if not consistently, chances will arise. 

“Carr only completed three passes to WRs last game. Is that sustainable?”

I don’t think it’s intended to be. The Cleveland Browns had surrendered their fair share of receptions to tight ends going into Week 11’s matchup with the Saints. New Orleans simply took advantage of it while also having a rushing attack produce more than 200 rushing yards. Those two things combined made the few targets to wide receivers workable. That won’t always be the case. 

“What do you expect to be the front office’s approach this next offseason?”

Slow and steady. New Orleans will likely take its time interviewing head coaching candidates, even if interim head coach Darren Rizzi is being heavily considered for the full-time role. 

Major changes seem unlikely due to salary cap restructures and the team’s more than $60 million overage. 

While things can change, for now I would expect a multi-year transition for the team’s roster more than a one-year tear down. 

“When will Kendre Miller be back? We really need him. He’s a good sub for Kamara.”

Miller is set to return against the New York Giants in the Week 14 matchup at MetLife Stadium. I detailed the strange situation surrounding his second Injured Reserve placement a couple of weeks ago. 

“Do you think our center will be ready for the Rams?”

Starting center Erik McCoy returned last week after missing six contests with a groin injury that necessitated surgery. Unfortunately, his return ended early with a groin injury last weekend. 

Rizzi stated that the injury doesn’t look to be long-term. However his availability for next weekend is currently unknown. If the injury isn’t a serious one, the bye week should lead to him being available. 

“Will the Saints continue to be in ‘kick the can down the road’ mode next offseason? Or will we see some book balancing?”

No more than necessary in either direction. The team could be added by a retirement or two this offseason, but the only way the Saints become salary cap compliant easily will be through restructures and renegotiations. 

Because of that, the team may be limited in what it can do for another offseason. Perhaps finally trading back in the draft may be intriguing for New Orleans.  Doing so would land the team additional draft capital to obtain more talent if limited in free agency. 

“If the Saints still end up with a top 10 pick, and Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty is on the board when the saints are on the clock, should they take him? Or should they still focus on the trenches”

They should most certainly consider it. All told, it will depend on whoever is available how trade talks are going. But unless there is a truly better talent on the board, Jeanty would be a playmaker worth investing in. Many will write him off as simply a running back,  but the Saints are very aware of the value of that kind of talented game-breaker. 

“How are the vibes surrounding Spencer Rattler now? Is there anymore excitement? How is his vibe? Still confident?”

No matter what happens, you can always rest assured that Rattler is confident. As for the vibes around him, things have currently quieted and the work is simply focused on driving his development. There is still a lot of belief that he has the talent to be an NFL starter. But that talent has to be honed and coached for now. Something Rattler welcomes. 

“How is it that former coach Dennis Allen leaving means the play calling was better?”

I honestly think that’s more correlation than causation, but I get it. The Saints fire Allen and then the team wins two in a row. It’s hard to not draw that line. 

However, I think the team’s recent success is more about what it’s gained in Rizzi than what it’s lost in Allen. The team just seems to play with more energy, more belief and more freedom. 

Play calling is tough to judge by broadcast view alone. A lot of what the tape shows is that the play calling was often there, but the execution wasn’t. So the freedom of play calling has opened up more aggressive tendencies and the players are responding to, and thus making good on, those opportunities