There are 20 days left until the Saints open against the Cardinals, and Pete Werner is singled out as New Orleans’ Player of the Day as the franchise aims to rebound from a tough 2024. Werner, 26, is building into a centerpiece of the defense after a steady rise from his Ohio State days to a four-year NFL run characterized by sharp instincts and standout run defense. His season-long numbers have trended upward, and a three-year extension signed last summer cements him as part of the Saints’ rebuilding core while they push to manufacture more game-changing plays.

Under new defensive philosophy and a focus on turning a previously leaky unit around, Werner’s role is central to the plan. He’ll be counted on to accelerate the Saints’ front-seven tempo, complement veterans like Demario Davis, and help drive tangible improvements in tackling and disruption. The Week 1 matchup with the Cardinals becomes a telling early test for Werner and a defense hoping to set a confident tone for 2025.