Saints cap relief comes from a Hill restructuring that trims about 3.6M in cap space, a move timed after Julian Blackmon suffered a torn labrum. With secondary help on the radar, New Orleans could target safeties on the open market, naming Justin Simmons, Jadeveon Clowney, Stephon Gilmore, and Jamaal Williams among potential upgrades. Hill, 35, is in the final year of a 4-year, 40M deal, and his timeline for a return remains unclear, making the move a signal of intent rather than a guarantee of immediate impact.

The extra breathing room offers flexibility to pursue defensive reinforcements while evaluating Hill’s role for this season. The Saints’ plan remains fluid, but the cap cushion underscores a desire to stay competitive in a crowded NFC South, balancing short-term additions with long-term considerations.

Taysom Hill reworked his contract with the New Orleans Saints, cutting his base salary from 10 million to 4.25 million and placing 5.75 million in per-game roster bonuses. If he’s active for 13 of 17 games after serving four weeks on the PUP, he’ll earn roughly 442,000 per game; any missed games trigger an equal cap credit for the Saints. The change saves about 3.6 million against the salary cap, leaving New Orleans more than 12 million under the cap.

The move offers cap relief while protecting Hill’s money if rehab lags, and it gives the Saints flexibility to pursue a veteran safety or roll unspent funds into 2026.

The New Orleans Saints carry a deep No. 28 legacy into the 2025 opener against the Arizona Cardinals, a roster thread that runs from the Dome Patrol-era savages to today’s fresh faces. Julian Blackmon is the latest to slide into No. 28, teaming with Justin Reid to form a younger, more athletic safety duo in a rebuild-minded secondary. The piece traces a long line of No. 28 wearers—greats and flashes alike—highlighting Gene Atkins’s seven-year run and Latavius Murray’s two-year surge, among others, as the jersey’s enduring mark on Saints defense and identity.

Blackmon’s arrival signals a shift toward playmaking and turnover potential, a key fantasy implication as Reid and Blackmon look to spark more turnovers and limit big plays. The No. 28 thread stretches through Antonio Williams, Mark Ingram II (the early high draft pick who wore 28 briefly before settling at 22), C.J. Spiller’s questionable tenure, and Latavius Murray’s efficient run—reminders that the Saints prize versatility and a defensive tone-setter when selecting this number. In a franchise already rebuilding, Blackmon’s No. 28 could translate into immediate splash plays and improved back-end efficiency as the season opens in Week 1.

In short, the No. 28 story is about more than a number; it’s a lens on New Orleans’ evolving defense and a signal to fantasy managers to watch the back end closely as Blackmon and Reid try to recreate a disruptive secondary identity for a Saints squad chasing a return to form.

Julian Blackmon joins the New Orleans Saints on a signing spree that aims to juice up the back end with youth and athleticism. In a countdown to Week 1, Blackmon, the 26-year-old Utah product, pairs with Justin Reid to form a fresher safety duo after Tyrann Mathieu’s retirement. Blackmon’s versatility—safety with corner instincts and slot potential—gives the Saints a flexible safety Dz that could drive stronger tackle floors and more playmaking in IDP formats. The move signals a shift toward a faster, rangier defense as New Orleans eyes a quick ramp to the 2025 season against the Cardinals.

Blackmon’s career arc has resilience: from Pac-12 ball hawk to Colts contributor, then a return from injuries to a signing that reconfigures a secondary in need of length and instincts. With Reid beside him, the Saints project a young but vibrant back end, setting the tone for a revamped unit that could elevate both pass defense and run support in a league leaning on dynamic safety play. Week 1 looms, and the Arizona matchup is a proving ground for this rebuilt DB corps.