2017 ScheduleAll times ET

2017 Schedule
11-5, 1st in NFC South
AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast
2d

Drew Brees sues over millions spent on jewelry

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has filed a lawsuit accusing a California businessman of cheating him out of $9 million through jewelry purchases.

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

Saints TE Benjamin Watson said he was disappointed when the Saints decided to replace him in 2016, but he said he understands the business side of the game and that teams always want to get younger. And he said he wouldn't change anything since he and his family got to experience the last two years with the Ravens.

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

Saints TE Benjamin Watson said there are a number of reasons why he wants to keep playing at age 37 and why he wanted to keep playing last year after he tore his Achilles in 2015. For starters, he loves the game and the platform it gives him. He also considers it his job and his way to support his family. And he wanted his children to see him come back from adversity, which they'll have to face in their lives.

Kevin Seifert NFL Nation 

The Saints' Sean Payton is among a handful of NFL coaches who today commented on, and expressed support for, an unexpected new rule that bans players from lowering their helmets to initiate contact. "Everyone really felt like this was a necessary step," Payton said, "something that after really hearing the experts talk, that we can clearly identify and point to the officials as to how to see this, and then our ability to confirm it in New York if there is an ejection." Payton said he was confident that the physicality of football would remain intact, and that this rule would only remove "one posture" from the hitting culture.

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

The Saints are considering another reunion in free agency. They hosted TE Benjamin Watson on a visit, according to ESPN's Field Yates. That move would make a ton of sense, since Sean Payton just labeled tight end as a “must,” and since the Saints and Watson were such a great fit the last time around. Watson was elected as a team captain in New Orleans and had a career season in 2015 with 74 catches, 825 yards and 6 TDs. Watson is now 37 years old, and he tore his Achilles with the Ravens in 2016. But he bounced back nicely with 61-522-4 while playing all 16 games last year.

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

The Saints got a bargain on DE Alex Okafor's contract for the second year in a row, since he is coming off a torn Achilles. His two-year deal is worth a total of $6.8 million -- with only his $1.5 million signing bonus guaranteed. In 2018, Okafor will get a $662,500 roster bonus if he is on the 53-man roster for the first game, an $850,000 base salary and a $50,000 workout bonus. His 2018 salary-cap cost is $2.3 million. In 2019, Okafor is due a $1.925 million roster bonus on the fifth day of the league year, a $1.7 million base salary and a $50,000 workout bonus, with a salary-cap cost of $4.47 million. ... The Saints are currently an estimated $9.8 million under the salary cap.

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

Funny exchange during Sean Payton's Tuesday media session when he was asked if the Saints might not have the same “cachet” as other teams who pursued Ndamukong Suh: “The cachet or the cash? I think it's cash. Because I think we cachet,” Payton replied. Payton didn't specify how aggressive the Saints were in trying to sign Suh, though he said, “he was definitely a player we were considering.” He said “ultimately it comes down to ... a price point and a comfort level.” Payton said the DT position wasn't necessarily a “must” for the Saints, but they did want to address the front seven – and there were certain players that stood out at DT.

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

Saints coach Sean Payton, who has been an outspoken advocate for gun control, said the March for Our Lives rallies were “amazing.” “I was only jealous I couldn't be there. Just watching it, it was outstanding. And what's so good about it is, someone said, ‘Like it or not, here they come.' And there's some that don't like it, you know what, that's tough. You get inspired and excited, and I was hoping to be able to attend, honestly.”

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

Sean Payton with a strong endorsement of the sport of football for kids when asked by the MMQB's Peter King why a “mother from Dubuque, Iowa” should want her son to play football. “A mother in Dubuque, Iowa, and a father in New Orleans and Dallas, want their sons to play football because of the lessons,” Payton said, referring to himself and his son Connor, a high school junior who plays in Dallas. “So many life lessons. It's a safe sport. It teaches leadership. It teaches grit and overcoming adversity.” Payton said there might be low moments when you don't win a starting job, etc., and you “continue to practice, continue to fight, and then you get those opportunities to have success and you realize it's just like life. So I think it brings so much to the character and the building of a character of an individual. And it might be flag football until a certain age. ... But it's the greatest sport for our kids, and we can and are making it safe. And I think the biggest thing is the information, not the misinformation. And I think the rewards far outweigh the negative.”

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

Sean Payton said edge rusher, tight end and receiver all remain "musts" for the Saints, saying they were "musts" heading into the offseason and they haven't been addressed yet. That leaves the remaining tier of free agency and the draft (where the Saints have only one pick in the top 90). At the same time, he also said there was a "price point" the Saints didn't want to exceed with certain free agents like Jimmy Graham and Ndamaukong Suh.

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

Some real high praise from Saints coach Sean Payton on Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson, who could potentially be on their radar with the 27th pick in the draft: “I like him, I like him. He's athletic. He's got a magic smile to him. He's a leader. ... He's a special guy. You just have to be around him and interview him and you can see why he was successful.” Payton stressed that the Saints' next QB isn't going to be a “Drew Brees clone” and that it's their job to build around that next quarterback's strengths.

AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman
10dMike Triplett

Gayle Benson: Saints, Pelicans are here to stay

As the new owner of the Saints and Pelicans following the death of her husband Tom, Gayle Benson said she will not sell the teams and is "very happy to continue his legacy."

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

One of those bargain options the Saints may consider in free agency is Bears restricted FA receiver Cameron Meredith. ESPN's Field Yates confirmed that Meredith visited the Saints over the weekend as he recovers from a torn ACL. The Saints would not owe Chicago any draft-pick compensation if they sign Meredith, but the Bears would have the right to match any offer sheet that he signs.

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

It looks like the Saints might not be making any big splashes in free agency this year, now that Ndamukong Suh has chosen the Rams. It's unclear how aggressively the Saints pursued Suh, since their visit was portrayed as a feeling-out session for both sides. But this follows a pattern this offseason where the NFC South champions have shown interest in several big names (including Jimmy Graham, Jordy Nelson and Muhammad Wilkerson) but ultimately showed restraint in their bidding. Instead, they have signed a solid group of second-tier free agents that includes LB Demario Davis, CB Patrick Robinson, S Kurt Coleman and DE Alex Okafor. And they probably aren't done shopping yet, with some bargains still to be found.

AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman
11dMike Triplett

Ex-Saints cheerleader files discrimination claim

Former Saints cheerleader Bailey Davis, who was fired in January, has filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission over what her attorney called "antiquated" and "blatantly discriminatory" policies.

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

Jets and former LSU safety Jamal Adams was back in Louisiana for Tyrann Mathieu's charity kickball game Saturday. Adams was asked about former Jets linebacker Demario Davis, who signed with the Saints in free agency. “I wish we never lost Double-D. That's my guy,” Adams said. “He's coming to a hell of a fan base in the state of Louisiana, and best of luck to him.”

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

Another kickball action shot from Tyrann Mathieu's charity event in New Orleans: Jets safety Jamal Adams tries to drop one in over the head of pitcher/free agent Saints cornerback Delvin Breaux.

Team Stats

Passing Yards261.85th
Rushing Yards129.45th
Points For28.04th
Points Against20.410th