The Saints are bringing back safety Julian Blackmon on a one-year deal, adding a familiar face to their secondary ahead of the 2026 season.
Blackmon, now 27, has taken a winding but resilient path through the NFL. A standout at Utah, he earned second-team All-American honors in 2019 before being selected by the Colts in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft (No. 85 overall). From the jump, he showed he could handle the pro game, carving out a starting role and becoming a steady presence on the back end of Indianapolis’ defense.
After playing out his rookie contract - a four-year deal worth just over $4.6 million - Blackmon returned to the Colts on a one-year deal for the 2024 season. That year, he stayed healthy and productive, appearing in 16 games and racking up 86 tackles, a tackle for loss, three interceptions, and four pass breakups. It was the kind of season that reminded everyone why he was once viewed as a key piece in Indy’s defensive puzzle.
When he hit free agency again, the Saints saw an opportunity and brought him in on a one-year deal for 2025. Unfortunately, injuries limited him to just one game in his first year with New Orleans. Still, in that lone appearance, he managed seven tackles and a pass deflection - a small sample, but one that showed he still has the instincts and physicality to make plays.
Now, the Saints are giving him another shot. It’s a low-risk move with the potential for real upside.
If Blackmon can stay on the field, he brings veteran savvy, solid tackling, and ball skills to a Saints defense that could use depth and experience on the back end. He’s the kind of player who can quietly stabilize a secondary - not flashy, but reliable, and capable of making momentum-shifting plays when the opportunity presents itself.
This one-year deal gives both sides flexibility. For Blackmon, it’s another chance to prove he can stay healthy and make an impact.
For the Saints, it’s a smart depth move with potential for more if things click. Keep an eye on this one - if Blackmon can recapture his 2024 form, this could be a sneaky-good signing for New Orleans.