The New Orleans Saints have handed out two big-money extensions ahead of the official start of free agency, and they both have similar vibes.
For each of Juwan Johnson (3/$30 million) and Chase Young (3/$51 million), the Saints are betting that their best football is yet to come, as WWL's Deuce McAllister broke down on SportsTalk this week.
"Can Juwan continue to ascend?" Deuce said to Mike Detillier and Charlie Long. "Injuries, I think, have slowed you down. You can be a dominant tight end, this offense is based off 12 personnel, so you’re going to be on the field a ton. Now, it’s about you just continuing to dominate and really taking that next step."
And as far as Young?
"Former No. 2 pick and so the only thing that I’m gonna fuss about is hey, he didn’t get enough sacks," McAllister continued, "then hey, coach Davis, I’ve got a project for you here. ... Can you refine this talent completely, because we can see the talent."
Listen to the full interview with Deuce McAllister in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.
The players took very different routes, but have arrived in the same place for the 2025 season and beyond. Young, 25, was the superstar in waiting, drafted by the Commanders at No. 2 out of Ohio State and winning defensive rookie of the year before injuries derailed things and he ultimately signed a 1-year, prove-it deal with the Saints in 2024. He finished with 5.5 sacks, a number that doesn't fully display the impact he had, but most importantly played in all 17 games for New Orleans.
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Johnson came out of obscurity, joining the Saints as a UDFA wide receiver in the 2020 season before converting to tight end. He's dealt with his own injury issues, including one that required foot surgery this past offseason, but he's flashed elite play-making at points and set career highs in both catches (50) and yards (548) this past season, which he finished as the team's leading receiver.
"Hopefully he can continue to ascend and kind of give the Saints one of those weapons and I know some of the numbers out there," Deuce continued.
Beyond those extensions the Saints were somewhat muted in the early free agency window, with their biggest splash coming in the form of a 3-year, $30 million deal for former Chiefs safety Justin Reid to join a tandem with Tyrann Mathieu and fill a clear need in the secondary after Will Harris departed to sign with the Commanders. The Saints have also swung a trade for Patriots DT Davon Godchaux.
"Any time that you can add guys that have been there, kinda done that, I think it obviously helps," Deuce said of Reid. "From a play-making standpoint, he’s got the credentials and … really for me, I need to see the fit of the defense.”