As the New Orleans Saints gear up for a pivotal Week 14 showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium, one name is quietly becoming a difference-maker on defense: Terrell Burgess.
The 27-year-old safety wasn’t exactly a headline signing when he joined the Saints - he earned his shot after a tryout at rookie minicamp and inked a one-year deal. But what’s made his story even more intriguing is the familiarity he brings to the system.
Burgess reunites with defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, who coached him during their time together with the Los Angeles Rams. That connection is paying dividends at just the right time.
The Saints have been hit hard in the secondary this season. Julian Blackmon, the team’s marquee free-agent addition, went down with a torn labrum in Week 1 and was lost for the year.
Now, Justin Reid is dealing with a knee injury suffered in Sunday’s matchup against the Dolphins - an injury that could sideline him for some time. That’s opened the door for Burgess to step into a larger role, and he’s already making the most of it.
Over the past two weeks, Burgess has delivered some timely plays. In Week 12 against Atlanta, he came up with a crucial pass breakup that stopped a Falcons drive cold - exactly the kind of momentum-shifting moment that can define a game. Then on Sunday in Miami, he nearly picked off Tua Tagovailoa, showing both instincts and range in coverage.
The numbers back up the eye test. Burgess has played 85 defensive snaps across 11 games, and while that’s not a massive workload, he’s made his presence felt.
He’s earned an impressive 81.1 overall defensive grade, racked up 12 tackles (10 of them solo), notched three pass breakups, and registered a stop. In short: he’s been efficient, reliable, and opportunistic - exactly what the Saints need right now.
With Reid likely out and the stakes rising as the playoff race tightens, Burgess is poised to see even more action against the Bucs. And if his recent performances are any indication, he’s not just filling in - he’s stepping up.