The New Orleans Saints are in the middle of a rebuild under new head coach Kellen Moore. While the offense is undergoing some big changes, the defense is also set to change in a big way in the next year.
One of those changes is coming with the free agency of Alontae Taylor, the Saints' top cornerback. After trying to trade him at the NFL deadline, the Saints' offseason decision with Taylor is an interesting question.
But, as Katherine Terrell of ESPN noted, the Saints aren't likely to extend Taylor this offseason. Thanks to the precedent they've set in years past, the Saints' re-signing Taylor is unlikely.
Saints expected to let Alontae Taylor walk in free agency
"The Saints have traded or let several defensive backs walk in the past four seasons, including C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo." Terrell writes. "That shows they might be reluctant to overpay to sign players at the position."
New Orleans passing on Taylor this offseason wouldn't be surprising, but it would leave the team with a clear hole in the secondary. Cornerback is one of the team's bigger needs this upcoming offseason, especially with Taylor likely on his way out.
The Saints tried to trade Taylor this season, but after the New York Jets dealt Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts, their best trade partner disappeared.
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Their effort to trade him shows their willingness to part ways with Taylor. But add on that he's likely to have a robust market, and the Saints have little reason to go after Taylor based on the precedent they've set in years past.
Taylor is 26 years old and will be one of the best free agents this upcoming offseason. New Orleans could wind up landing a solid compensatory pick in return for Taylor, providing further reason why New Orleans should let him walk.
After spending four seasons with New Orleans since being drafted in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Taylor is not only going to hit free agency but will likely sign with a new team.
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