Terrell Burgess 2025 Season Review: A Quiet Contributor in the Saints’ Secondary
When the New Orleans Saints signed veteran safety Terrell Burgess late in the 2025 offseason, it was a move that barely registered on the radar. But for those paying attention, there was a familiar thread: Burgess had previously played under new Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley during their time together with the Rams. That connection, along with similar ties shared by Chris Rumph II and Jonah Williams, hinted at a comfort level Staley was building into his new defensive room.
Burgess, a third-round pick out of Utah in the 2020 NFL Draft, began his career with the Los Angeles Rams, where he logged 30 games and three interceptions over three seasons. But from the end of 2022 to 2024, his career took the journeyman route, bouncing between three teams before landing in New Orleans. Expectations were modest - a depth piece at best, someone who might stick around if things broke right.
How it Played Out
The 2025 season turned out to be a bit of a rollercoaster for Burgess. He was signed in mid-May, only to be cut in the final round of preseason roster moves.
But the Saints didn’t let him go far - he was immediately brought back to the practice squad. That decision proved valuable just a week into the season.
When Julian Blackmon went down with a season-ending injury in Week 2, Burgess was elevated to the active roster - and he stayed there for the rest of the year. While he didn’t start any games and saw limited action on defense, he found a consistent role on special teams, playing in 16 games - tying his career high.
On defense, Burgess was used sparingly. He logged more than 10 defensive snaps in only three games all season.
His most active stretch came in Weeks 13 and 14, when he played 32 snaps against Miami and 20 the following week against Tampa Bay. In total, he finished the year with 115 defensive snaps and another 205 on special teams.
Statistically, Burgess wrapped up 2025 with 22 total tackles and three pass breakups - modest numbers, but solid for a player in his role. He didn’t make headlines, but he did his job when called upon, especially in the third phase of the game.
What’s Next?
Burgess is set to hit free agency again in March, and his future in New Orleans is far from guaranteed. The Saints appear to be set at safety with Blackmon (assuming full health), Justin Reid, and promising young player Jonas Sanker. That trio gives the Saints a strong foundation at the top of the depth chart.
Could Burgess return as a depth option and special teams contributor? It’s possible, but the Saints may look to get younger or more dynamic through free agency or the draft. Still, Burgess proved in 2025 that he can be a reliable presence in the locker room and a steady hand on special teams - traits that don’t always show up on the stat sheet but matter over the course of a long season.
For now, his 2025 campaign stands as a testament to persistence and professionalism. He wasn’t a star, but he filled a role - and in the NFL, that still counts for a lot.