Jayden Price didn’t just survive the Saints’ offseason roster churn - he turned it into a real opportunity.
He was one of the surprise names to pop in New Orleans training camp, and that momentum carried straight into the preseason. His interception in the opener stood out as one of the most memorable plays of the summer, a flash that fit the broader arc of his climb from long shot to active roster player.
For Price, the milestone carried real weight. He said, "my whole career I just needed somebody to give me an opportunity, somebody to believe in me, and I'm thankful for the Saints."
Price’s path has been a grind. He started at FCS North Dakota State, then had to make his case in the UFL before getting to the NFL.
Last season, he spent the year on the practice squad and eventually earned his way onto the active roster. That alone makes him a strong story.
But the Saints’ view of him goes beyond that.
There’s a legitimate football case for Price to matter in 2026.
He’s currently behind Jonas Sanker, who is shifting into a new position. Everything suggests Sanker can handle the move, but training camp isn’t the same as live action.
He still has to prove he can play the STAR, and because slot cornerback carries extra importance in Brandon Staley’s defense, that adjustment comes with pressure. If Sanker has trouble settling in, Price could be the next man up.
And even if that never becomes necessary, Price has another lane to the field. He has the tools to fill a dime defensive back role, a spot that would be used in obvious passing situations.
That doesn’t happen every down, but it’s a meaningful job, and Price has done enough to be in that conversation. Jordan Howden is the other obvious candidate for that sixth defensive back spot.
So yes, Jayden Price is a feel-good story. But he’s also more than that now. Whether it’s through Sanker's position change, an injury, or a role in dime packages, Price is close enough to the action that the Saints may not have to wait long to see what he can do on defense.
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Even now, Manning stands alone in one small but telling way: he remains the only Saint to have worn No. 8. For a franchise that has seen plenty of notable players come and go, that number has never been passed along, a reminder of how deeply Manning is woven into the teams origin story. His family has carried the quarterback legacy into later generations, but in New Orleans, the number and the man still belong to the same chapter. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Veterans Are Suddenly Under Real Pressure From Rising Young Defenders
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Pete Werner and Davon Godchaux are among the names worth watching as the competition tightens, while Danny Stutsman and Christen Miller have given the staff reasons to keep an open mind about the future. If those younger defenders keep making noise, New Orleans could find itself with more than just a healthy battle for snaps. It could have a few decisions to make about whether every veteran still fits into the long-term picture. [Read more 🡒]