As the NFL Divisional Playoff weekend kicks off, the New Orleans Saints are once again watching from home-for the fifth straight year. But that doesn’t mean Saints fans are completely without a rooting interest. Whether you're pulling for familiar faces or simply looking to avoid an NFC rival hoisting the Lombardi, there’s no shortage of Saints connections still in the mix this postseason.
Let’s take a closer look at the former Saints-players and coaches-who’ll be suiting up or calling plays in the NFC Divisional Round.
San Francisco 49ers
- P Thomas Morstead
- CB Eli Apple (practice squad)
Thomas Morstead is a name Saints fans know well. One of the most reliable punters in franchise history, Morstead spent over a decade in New Orleans, delivering clutch kicks and even pulling off that iconic surprise onside kick in Super Bowl XLIV. Now with the 49ers, he’s still booming punts and proving that at 37, he’s got plenty left in the leg.
Eli Apple, currently on San Francisco’s practice squad, had a rollercoaster stint in New Orleans, starting 25 games across two seasons. While his time with the Saints was marked by inconsistency, he’s remained a fixture around the league, bouncing between rosters and continuing to find opportunities to contribute.
Los Angeles Rams
- DL Jack Heflin (practice squad)
Heflin didn’t make a major impact during his brief time in New Orleans, but he’s carved out a role as a rotational defensive lineman and is now part of the Rams’ depth chart. While he’s currently on the practice squad, his physical play and work ethic have kept him in the mix.
Chicago Bears
- LB D'Marco Jackson
- DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson
- OL Kyle Hergel (practice squad)
- LB Nephi Sewell (practice squad)
- LB Ty Summers (practice squad/injured)
Coaches:
- DC Dennis Allen
- OC Declan Doyle
- **QB coach J.T.
Barrett**
- Assistant DB coach Matt Giordano
- Senior defensive assistant Bill Johnson
- OL coach Dan Roushar
The Bears have become something of a Saints reunion tour.
Linebacker D’Marco Jackson, a fifth-round pick by New Orleans in 2022, was mostly a special teams contributor during his Saints tenure. But in Chicago, he’s found his stride, notching his first career sack and interception this season. It’s been a breakout year for a player who quietly kept grinding.
Then there’s C.J. Gardner-Johnson, one of the most polarizing and talented defensive backs to come through New Orleans in recent years.
A fourth-round pick in 2019, Gardner-Johnson brought energy, swagger, and serious playmaking ability to the Saints’ secondary. But his fiery personality led to some friction, and he’s bounced around since.
Now with the Bears, he’s showing flashes of his old self-2 picks, 3 sacks, and 5 tackles for loss in just 10 games. When locked in, he’s still one of the most versatile DBs in the game.
On the sidelines, former Saints head coach Dennis Allen is back in his element-as a defensive coordinator. Say what you will about his head coaching record, Allen knows defense.
In his first year running Chicago’s D, the Bears led the league with 33 forced turnovers. That’s not a fluke-it’s the product of a system that emphasizes aggression, discipline, and ball-hawking instincts.
Allen isn’t alone. Matt Giordano and Bill Johnson, both former Saints assistants, are part of his defensive staff.
On the offensive side, Declan Doyle and Dan Roushar-who previously worked under Sean Payton-are helping guide the Bears’ attack. And then there’s J.T.
Barrett, the former Ohio State QB who spent his rookie year on the Saints’ practice squad. He’s now coaching quarterbacks, helping develop young talent from the sidelines.
Seattle Seahawks
- WR Rashid Shaheed
- RB Cam Akers (practice squad)
- CB Shemar Jean-Charles (practice squad)
- RB Velus Jones Jr. (practice squad)
- OL Shane Lemieux (practice squad/injured)
Coaches:
- OC Klint Kubiak
- OL coach John Benton
- Run game coordinator Rick Dennison
- QB coach Andrew Janocko
Rashid Shaheed might be the most electrifying former Saint still playing this postseason. Undrafted in 2022, he burst onto the scene in New Orleans with his speed and big-play ability, both as a receiver and return man. But this season, the Saints traded him to Seattle in early November for fourth- and fifth-round picks in the upcoming draft.
And he’s made them pay.
In just nine games with the Seahawks, Shaheed has 15 catches for 188 yards and has already taken both a kickoff and a punt to the house. That’s rare, game-changing stuff. Seattle clearly knew what they were getting-over half of their offensive staff worked with Shaheed in New Orleans back in 2024.
Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has turned heads this year, with many expecting him to land a head coaching gig soon. He’s helped orchestrate a surprisingly efficient offense, even making Sam Darnold look like a viable NFL starter. Kubiak’s staff includes respected veterans like John Benton and Rick Dennison, along with QB coach Andrew Janocko, all of whom bring Saints familiarity into the Seahawks’ system.
What It All Means for Saints Fans
While the Saints won’t be taking the field this weekend, their fingerprints are all over the NFC playoff picture. From longtime locker room leaders like Morstead to rising stars like Shaheed, to a full coaching contingent in Chicago, New Orleans’ influence is still very much alive.
So whether you're watching for old favorites, scouting future opponents, or just hoping the NFC doesn’t add another ring to its tally, there’s plenty of Saints-related storylines to follow this weekend.
The team might be out of the playoffs-but the legacy lives on.