SAD: New Orleans Saints now trying to trade their star player

With a 9-8 record last season, the New Orleans Saints were on the verge of qualifying for the playoffs and capturing the NFC South. Since they were so close to winning the division, the Saints’ top executives chose to keep GM Mickey Loomis and coach Dennis Allen. Quarterback Derek Carr will also return for a second season.

Following an up-and-down season, the Saints are hopeful that the improvements they made, such as signing Chase Young in free agency and selecting Taliese Fuaga and Kool-Aid McKinstry in the NFL Draft, will improve their prospects of playing postseason football in 2024.

However, just because the majority of the roster moves have been completed does not imply that the Saints are not open to make more big adjustments.

One of the Saints’ most persistent trade rumors is about four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore, and adding McKinstry hasn’t quieted the topic.

There is no doubt that Lattimore is a terrific player, but the cornerback has only been in 17 games over the last two seasons and is due for a $14.6 million salary charge in 2024. In 2025, his cap number will increase to $31.4 million.

For a franchise that appears to be constantly dealing with salary cap issues, trading Lattimore might be a method to alleviate the burden in the future while also gaining key draft capital or even another player who can help the team win now.

While teams seeking to contend do not normally sell their best players, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis believes he is willing to negotiate a Lattimore trade for the appropriate offer.

 

 

New Orleans Saints GM Mickey Loomis on Marshon Lattimore trade rumors

“When a man is a really good player for your team, he isn’t necessarily on the market, but there are occasions when you receive a call and someone makes a proposition that makes sense for you. That applies to any member on your squad. If you receive an irresistible offer, you must consider it. So, that is what I would say. I’m not actively looking to trade Marshon. Marshon is an outstanding cornerback. He’s had some injuries in the last few seasons that have kept him off the field, and we need to get over it. It’s not his fault; it’s just the circumstances. That’s just where we are.

While Loomis also stated that McKinstry’s arrival “doesn’t mean anything,” it is plausible that the Saints chose the former Alabama star with the intention of parting ways with Lattimore soon. Of course, this does not guarantee that it will happen before the season begins, but Loomis has stated that he is open to the appropriate offer.