2019 ScheduleAll times ET

2019 Schedule
13-3, 1st in NFC South
Who is the best at play-action in the NFL? (1:46)
Who has the NFL's best roster? (1:38)
Edmund D. Fountain for ESPN
5d

Brees awarded $6M in diamond fraud lawsuit

A jury has awarded more than $6 million to Saints quarterback Drew Brees in a lawsuit that claimed a San Diego County jeweler sold him overpriced diamonds.

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

Sources expect a new deal between the Saints and receiver Michael Thomas before the start of training camp, according to ESPN's Dianna Russini, who also reported that the Saints are comfortable making him the highest-paid receiver in the game. That last part should come as no surprise, considering Thomas has established himself as a first-team All-Pro. The bigger question is how much more Thomas will make than Odell Beckham Jr., who currently leads all receivers with an average salary between $18-19 million per year and a total of $65 million in guarantees.

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

The Saints signed veteran receiver Rishard Matthews after his three-day minicamp tryout and released former LSU receiver Travin Dural. Matthews, 29, should have a legitimate shot at earning a roster spot with the Saints behind projected starters Michael Thomas and Ted Ginn Jr. – though the competition is crowded with young receivers like Tre'Quan Smith, Cameron Meredith, Keith Kirkwood, Austin Carr and others. Matthews was the Titans' leading receiver from 2016-2017 with 118 catches for 1,740 yards and 13 touchdowns. But the 6-foot, 217-pounder asked for his release last year when his role diminished. He wound up playing a total of just eight games with five catches combined for the Titans and Jets in 2018. ... Matthews began his career with the Dolphins from 2012-2015 when current Saints assistants Dan Campbell and Darren Rizzi were in Miami.

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

Drew Brees said his lawsuit against a jeweler in San Diego has been "very stressful" and it was tough being away from two practices over the last two weeks for the trial because "I'm the quarterback of this football team." But he said there were some things out of his control with the timing that "we had to take care of."

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

Saints WR Cameron Meredith said it's the same knee injury that has kept him sidelined during OTAs and minicamp. But he said it's mostly a matter of being smart and cautious so that he can have a healthy training camp. Meredith said he doesn't want another situation like last year where he was limited to just six games before landing on injured reserve because of nagging swelling.

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

The Saints' final minicamp practice had a bit of a "school's out for summer" feel to it. It started with Teddy Bridgewater and Alvin Kamara switching jerseys for a while and ended about an hour earlier than scheduled. Among the few highlights was Patrick Robinson's second interception in two days against QB Teddy Bridgewater.

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

Saints RB Alvin Kamara talks about the viral workout video where he caught sticks while balancing on a ball -- and says he thinks he has "elite" balance, which he'd put up against anyone in the league.

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

Drew Brees started a bit slow but finished strong in his first minicamp practice Wednesday. His final throw was a perfect deep ball to Ted Ginn Jr. down the right sideline for a touchdown with four seconds remaining in a simulated hurry-up drill. Earlier in practice, Brees got picked off by cornerback Marshon Lattimore — who jumped in front of TE Jared Cook on a downfield sideline route.

14d

Carolina On Our Mind

Mina and SB Nation's Charles McDonald discuss whether the Falcons (6:35), Saints (19:55), Bucs (38:57), and Panthers (48:09) will be better or worse next year. Plus, who from The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz could Mina beat in a race (34:47)?

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

Looks like the Saints have an open competition for their starting nickel back job. Patrick Robinson, who signed a four-year $20 million deal last year, is back from the broken ankle that wiped out most of his 2018 season. And he intercepted Teddy Bridgewater in full-team drills Wednesday. But so far this spring, Robinson has worked with the second string while P.J. Williams has worked with the 1s. Williams came on strong in that role in the second half of last season. Rookie safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson has also made some appearances with the 1s as a slot corner this spring and could work his way into the mix as well.

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

Rookie Saints center Erik McCoy has been working with the 1s for the last three practices now. Sean Payton said they're still rotating candidates there to replace the retired Max Unger. But the second-round pick from Texas A&M has every chance to win that job. Newly-signed free agency C/G Nick Easton has been working at RG in place of the rehabbing Larry Warford.

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

Drew Brees is back on the Saints' practice field after wrapping up his testimony in San Diego on Tuesday. Brees, who is suing a jeweler that he claims defrauded him out of millions of dollars, missed one day of minicamp this week and one OTA practice last week. The trial is ongoing.

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

Saints DE Cameron Jordan hadn't signed his new contract extension yet when he met with the media after practice. But he said, "Theoretically? I mean, we might dance tonight. My son's fourth birthday might be a little better today. My daughter turns one tomorrow, so someone's gonna have a heck of a birthday."

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

South African rugby player Tristan Blewett doesn't have much knowledge of American football. But he said he learned a few things after arriving in New Orleans to play for the NOLA Gold last November in the midst of the Saints' Super Bowl hype. Now he's trying out with them as a safety and kick returner during this week's minicamp. Sean Payton said Blewett was first recommended in a text by a local artist. Payton said he always finds himself passing on such recommendations to the scouting department because he thinks, "Oh, I don't want this to be that one. … You go about the process knowing 44 out of 44 there's nothing to it. Then the 45th one might be a Taysom Hill."

Find Tickets

Team Stats

Passing Yards252.612th
Rushing Yards126.66th
Points For31.53rd
Points Against22.114th