2021 New Orleans Saints season

The 2021 season was the New Orleans Saints' 55th season in the National Football League (NFL), the 46th playing home games at Caesars Superdome and the 15th and final season under head coach Sean Payton. After starting the season 5–2, the Saints fell into a five game losing streak after losing starting quarterback Jameis Winston to a torn ACL in Week 8 vs. Winston's former team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They also failed to improve on their 12–4 record from the previous season, as well as failing to win the division title for the first time since 2016. Despite winning four of their last five games, the Saints missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016 after the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Los Angeles Rams in Week 18. The Saints finished tied with the Philadelphia Eagles for the 7th seed in the NFC, but lost the tiebreaker based on the teams' Week 11 head-to-head meeting—won by the Eagles. The team started a record of 58 different players (due to injuries and COVID-19) and ranked in the bottom 5 in total offense.

This was the first season since 2005 without long-time quarterback Drew Brees on the roster. He announced his retirement on March 14, after playing 20 years in the league. A 13-time Pro Bowler, Brees broke several records during his tenure in New Orleans, led the franchise to its first and only Super Bowl win in Super Bowl XLIV and also retired as the league's all-time leader in passing yards, a record that would be broken by quarterback Tom Brady in Week 4 of the 2021 season against his former team, the New England Patriots. Brees was also the last remaining active player from the 2001 draft class.

Despite having three years left in his contract, this was also long-time head coach Sean Payton's final season with the Saints, as he announced his departure from the team on January 25, 2022, after 16 years of coaching the team. In his tenure, Payton led the Saints to nine playoff appearances and to the franchise's first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XLIV.

Roster changes

Free agency

Unrestricted PositionPlayer2021 teamDate signedContractMLBAlex AnzaloneDetroit LionsMarch 241 year, $1.75 millionCBJohnson BademosiFBMichael BurtonKansas City ChiefsApril 11 year, $990kCBKen CrawleyNew Orleans SaintsMay 171 year, $990kWRBennie FowlerSan Francisco 49ersMay 211 year, $990kCBJustin HardeeNew York JetsMarch 163 years, $6.75 millionDETrey HendricksonCincinnati BengalsMarch 154 years, $60 millionDTSheldon RankinsNew York JetsMarch 212 years, $17 millionMLBCraig RobertsonFSD. J. SwearingerIndianapolis Colts (PS)December 291 year, $28kFSMarcus WilliamsNew Orleans SaintsMarch 91 year franchise tag, $10.612 millionFSP. J. WilliamsNew Orleans SaintsMarch 181 year, $2.3 million

Restricted PositionPlayer2021 teamDate signedContractCWill ClappNew Orleans SaintsApril 201 year, $920k

Futures PositionPlayerDate signedLBAndrew DowellJanuary 19DTRyan GlasgowJanuary 19TEGarrett GriffinJanuary 19CBGrant HaleyJanuary 19OLBChase HansenJanuary 19WRLil'Jordan HumphreyJanuary 19RBTony Jones Jr.January 19WRJake LampmanJanuary 19DTChristian RingoJanuary 19QBTrevor SiemianJanuary 19TCalvin ThrockmortonJanuary 19DEMarcus WilloughbyJanuary 19TEEthan WolfJanuary 19LBWynton McManisJanuary 20CBKeith Washington Jr.January 22

Signings PositionPlayer2020 teamDate signedContractFBAlexander ArmahCarolina PanthersMarch 161 year, $1.1275 millionTENick VannettDenver BroncosMarch 243 years, $8 millionDETanoh KpassagnonKansas City ChiefsMarch 292 years, $4.5 millionWRJalen McCleskeyAtlanta FalconsApril 151 year, $660kGChristian MontanoPittsburgh SteelersApril 201 year, $660kDTAlbert HugginsDetroit LionsMay 61 year, $780kLBSutton SmithSeattle SeahawksMay 61 year, $660kWREasop WinstonLos Angeles RamsMay 61 year, $660kOTKyle MurphyHouston TexansMay 161 year, $850kLBQuentin PolingMinnesota VikingsMay 161 year, $660kCBBrian PooleNew York JetsJuly 251 year, $1.1275 millionDEKendall DonnersonCarolina PanthersJuly 261 year, $660kWRChris HoganNew York JetsJuly 261 year, $1.075 millionWRTommylee LewisNew Orleans SaintsJuly 301 year, $990kRBDevonta FreemanBuffalo BillsJuly 311 year, $1.075 millionCBPrince AmukamaraArizona CardinalsAugust 11 year, $1.075 millionCBKeiVarae RussellGreen Bay PackersAugust 11 year, $920kGJ. R. SweezyArizona CardinalsAugust 21 year, $1.075 millionCBAdonis AlexanderSan Francisco 49ersAugust 41 year, $780kTEJosh PedersonSan Francisco 49ersAugust 61 year, $660kKBrett MaherArizona CardinalsAugust 91 year, $850kDER. J. McIntoshNew York GiantsAugust 121 year, $920kWRKevin WhiteSan Francisco 49ersAugust 171 year, $990kTCaleb BenenochBuffalo BillsAugust 181 year, $990kCBNatrell JamersonCarolina PanthersAugust 181 year, $920kCBBryan MillsSeattle SeahawksAugust 181 year, $660kTJordan MillsBaltimore RavensAugust 181 year, $1.075 millionSJeff HeathLas Vegas RaidersAugust 201 year, $1.075 millionKAldrick RosasJacksonville JaguarsAugust 201 year, $990kDTDamion SquareCleveland BrownsAugust 271 year, $1.075 millionDTMontravius AdamsNew England PatriotsSeptember 11 year, $990kFBAdam PrenticeDenver BroncosSeptember 13 years, $2.435 millionCBDesmond TrufantChicago BearsSeptember 61 year, $1.075 millionCBJordan MillerPractice squadSeptember 111 year, $850kDEJalyn HolmesPractice squadOctober 51 year, $920kRBDevine OzigboJacksonville JaguarsOctober 51 year, $850kKCody ParkeyCleveland BrownsOctober 51 year, $990kWRKenny StillsPractice squadOctober 91 year, $1.075 millionKBrian JohnsonChicago BearsOctober 121 year, $660kGJames CarpenterPractice squadDecember 181 year, $1.075 million

Practice squad additions PositionPlayerLast teamDate signedContractCBKa'dar HollmanHouston TexansSeptember 6TBCDEJalyn HolmesMinnesota VikingsSeptember 61 year, $224kDTJaleel JohnsonHouston TexansSeptember 61 year, $240kCBDylan MabinMinnesota VikingsSeptember 61 year, $27.6kCBJordan MillerSeattle SeahawksSeptember 61 year, $147.2kWRKenny StillsBuffalo BillsSeptember 131 year, $238kCAustin ReiterKansas City ChiefsSeptember 141 year, $238kRBRyquell ArmsteadNew York GiantsOctober 61 year, $128kGForrest LampBuffalo BillsOctober 191 year, $168kRBLamar MillerWashington Football TeamOctober 191 year, $168kLBLakiem WilliamsSeattle SeahawksOctober 191 year, $110.4kRBJosh AdamsNew York JetsNovember 91 year, $126kWRMalcolm PerryNew England PatriotsNovember 231 year, $64kLBSharif FinchTennessee TitansNovember 291 year, $55.2kGJames CarpenterBaltimore RavensDecember 81 year, $70kTJerald HawkinsNew England PatriotsDecember 81 year, $70kDTBraxton HoyettBaltimore RavensDecember 221 year, $27.6kQBBlake BortlesGreen Bay PackersDecember 241 year, $40kLBJustin MarchSan Francisco 49ersDecember 271 year, $28kDTEthan WestbrooksLas Vegas RaidersDecember 271 year, $28kCCohl CabralMinnesota VikingsDecember 311 year, $18.4k

Released/Waived Position Player 2021 team Date releasedGNick EastonFebruary 12TEJason Vander LaanFebruary 12TECole WickFebruary 12TEJared CookLos Angeles ChargersMarch 3TEJosh HillDetroit LionsMarch 3PThomas MorsteadNew York JetsMarch 4CBJanoris JenkinsTennessee TitansMarch 11MLBKwon AlexanderNew Orleans SaintsMarch 16WREmmanuel SandersBuffalo BillsMarch 16SEric BurrellNew Orleans SaintsMay 14CBTrill WilliamsMiami DolphinsMay 14DTLorenzo Neal Jr.Denver BroncosAugust 2CBLawrence WoodsNew Orleans SaintsAugust 2DEKendall DonnersonCarolina PanthersAugust 5CBKeith Washington Jr.August 13CBPrince AmukamaraAugust 15RBStevie Scott IIIDenver BroncosAugust 15DENoah SpenceCincinnati BengalsAugust 15WRJake LampmanAugust 18CBLawrence WoodsAugust 18GMike BrownAugust 20TEJosh PedersonAugust 20CBAdonis AlexanderAugust 21KBrett MaherNew Orleans SaintsAugust 21WRJalen McCleskeyAugust 21LBQuentin PolingAugust 21WRTommylee LewisMiami Dolphins (PS)August 23PNolan CooneyAugust 24OTKyle MurphyPractice squadAugust 25FBSutton SmithLas Vegas Raiders (PS)August 27SEric BurrellAugust 30CBNatrell JamersonNew York Jets (PS)August 30GDerrick Kelly IIPractice squadAugust 30DER. J. McIntoshGreen Bay Packers (PS)August 30LBShaq SmithAugust 30FBAlexander ArmahNew Orleans SaintsAugust 31WRKawaan BakerPractice squadAugust 31TCaleb BenenochNew Orleans SaintsAugust 31DTJosiah BronsonNew Orleans SaintsAugust 31RBDevonta FreemanBaltimore Ravens (PS)August 31CBGrant HaleyLos Angeles Rams (PS)August 31WRChris HoganNew Orleans SaintsAugust 31DTAlbert HugginsNew Orleans SaintsAugust 31LBWynton McManisPractice squadAugust 31CBBryan MillsPractice squadAugust 31TJordan MillsNew Orleans SaintsAugust 31GChristian MontanoAugust 31CBKeiVarae RussellNew Orleans SaintsAugust 31QBTrevor SiemianNew Orleans SaintsAugust 31DTDamion SquareChicago Bears (PS)August 31GJ. R. SweezyAugust 31SDeuce WallaceAugust 31WRKevin WhiteNew Orleans SaintsAugust 31WREasop WinstonPractice squadAugust 31TEEthan WolfPractice squadAugust 31KAldrick RosasNew Orleans SaintsSeptember 1CBBryce ThompsonPractice squadSeptember 1DEMarcus WilloughbySeptember 1RBLatavius MurrayBaltimore RavensSeptember 7SJeff HeathNew Orleans SaintsSeptember 10DTMontravius AdamsNew Orleans SaintsSeptember 11CBJordan MillerNew Orleans SaintsSeptember 13FBAdam PrenticeNew Orleans SaintsSeptember 14MLBWynton McManisPractice squadSeptember 20CBJordan MillerPractice squadSeptember 20KAldrick RosasDetroit Lions (PS)October 5DTChristian RingoNew Orleans SaintsOctober 9KCody ParkeyOctober 12CBBrian PooleNew England Patriots (PS)October 12CBDesmond TrufantLas Vegas RaidersOctober 12CWill ClappNew Orleans SaintsOctober 25DTAlbert HugginsNew Orleans SaintsOctober 25RBDevine OzigboJacksonville JaguarsOctober 30OLBChase HansenPractice squadNovember 9DTChristian RingoNew Orleans SaintsNovember 13DTMontravius AdamsPractice squadNovember 16KBrian JohnsonChicago Bears (PS)November 19CBKen CrawleyNew Orleans SaintsNovember 20WRKevin WhiteNew Orleans SaintsNovember 20CBKeiVarae RussellPractice squadNovember 23FBAlexander ArmahWashington Football Team (PS)November 30WRKevin WhitePractice squadNovember 30WRKenny StillsNew Orleans SaintsDecember 7DTMalcolm RoachPractice squadDecember 7CWill ClappPractice squadDecember 13DTJosiah BronsonCleveland BrownsDecember 14

Practice squad releases Position Player 2021 team Date releasedLBWynton McManisNew Orleans SaintsSeptember 6CBBryan MillsCleveland Browns (PS)September 6DTJaleel JohnsonHouston TexansSeptember 14CBKa'dar HollmanNew York Giants (PS)September 28CAustin ReiterMiami DolphinsOctober 5GDerrick Kelly IINew York Giants (PS)October 12LBWynton McManisMiami Dolphins (PS)October 12RBRyquell ArmsteadGreen Bay Packers (PS)October 28LBLakiem WilliamsSeattle Seahawks (PS)October 28RBLamar MillerNovember 16DTMontravius AdamsPittsburgh SteelersNovember 29CBDylan MabinPractice squadDecember 14RBJosh AdamsPractice squadDecember 24DTBraxton HoyettPractice squadDecember 24DTBraxton HoyettPractice squadDecember 28LBJustin MarchLas Vegas RaidersDecember 28TKyle MurphyDecember 28WRMalcolm PerryDecember 28RBJosh AdamsJanuary 4

Contract extensions PositionPlayerDate signedContractDENoah SpenceMarch 21 year, $990kSSJ. T. GrayMarch 32 years, $4 millionRBTy MontgomeryMarch 61 year, $1.1275 millionRBDwayne WashingtonMarch 91 year, $990kQBTaysom HillMarch 141 year, $12.159 millionTJames HurstMarch 153 years, $9 millionQBJameis WinstonMarch 151 year, $5.5 millionTRyan RamczykJune 305 years, $96 millionCBMarshon LattimoreSeptember 125 years, $97.6 millionQBTaysom HillNovember 224 years, $40 million

Retirements PositionPlayerDate retiredQBDrew BreesMarch 14TAlex HoffmanMay 17DTRyan GlasgowAugust 7CBPatrick RobinsonAugust 10WRChris HoganOctober 23

Player trades PositionPlayerFrom/toDate tradedForDTMalcom BrownJacksonville JaguarsMarch 162021 Seventh-round selection (pick 229) to SaintsCBBradley RobyHouston TexansSeptember 82022 Third-round selection and 2023 Sixth-round selection to TexansRBMark Ingram IIHouston TexansOctober 272024 Seventh-round selection to Texans

Draft