When injuries and trades reshaped the Saints’ wide receiver room in the second half of the 2025 season, Dante Pettis found himself back in the mix - and he made the most of the opportunity.
Suiting up for eight games down the stretch, Pettis gave New Orleans some much-needed depth and versatility. He finished with nine receptions for 127 yards and also stepped in as a returner after the team dealt Rashid Shaheed. While those numbers won’t jump off the stat sheet, they reflect the role of a veteran who understands how to stay ready and contribute when called upon.
Pettis’ contract was a low-cost, one-year deal - and that could work in his favor again this offseason. The Saints may look to bring him back on a similar agreement, especially considering how he finished the year.
His most productive outings came in the final two games of the season, when he showed flashes of the playmaking ability that once made him a second-round pick out of Washington. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing.
A costly fumble near the goal line against Tennessee wiped out what looked like a sure touchdown and flipped momentum late in a tight game. It was a tough moment, but also a reminder of the razor-thin margins in the NFL - one play can swing everything.
Still, Pettis showed enough to keep himself in the conversation. He’s been in New Orleans for a couple of seasons now, and that familiarity with the system - and with quarterback Tyler Shough - could be a factor heading into 2026. The chemistry between the two seemed to grow late in the year, and in a league where depth and timing matter more than ever, that connection could be worth another look.
For a player like Pettis, it’s about carving out a role - as a return man, a depth receiver, a locker room presence - and staying ready for whatever comes next. He’s done that before. And depending on how the Saints shape their roster this offseason, he might get the chance to do it again.