Bryan Bresee’s Crucial Crossroads: Why 2026 Is a Make-or-Break Year for the Saints’ Defensive Tackle
The New Orleans Saints have a big decision looming this offseason - and it centers around former first-round pick Bryan Bresee. The question: do they pick up his fifth-year option, or let him play out the final year of his rookie deal and reassess from there?
On the surface, Bresee’s production to date has been solid, but not spectacular. Over 49 games, he’s posted 86 tackles, 14.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Respectable numbers, but not the kind of stat line that demands a no-brainer commitment to a fifth year - especially at a projected $12.9 million price tag.
That number becomes even more significant when you consider the Saints are expected to have somewhere between $130 million to $150 million in cap space in 2027. That’s a rare bit of breathing room for a franchise that’s spent the last few years tight-roping the salary cap. And with that kind of flexibility on the horizon, New Orleans may prefer to invest that money in players they believe are trending upward - or who fit more cleanly into the long-term vision under the current regime.
A Step Back in 2025
The timing couldn’t be more critical for Bresee, who’s coming off a season that felt like a step in the wrong direction. His 2.5 sacks in 2025 marked a career low, and it stood out even more considering the context.
While other players around him thrived - some even posting career-best numbers - Bresee’s impact waned. That’s not what you want to see from a player entering a pivotal contract year.
Now, there are a few ways to look at this. Maybe it was just a down year.
Maybe he was still adjusting to Brandon Staley’s defensive system, which can be intricate and demanding, especially for interior linemen who are asked to do more than just plug gaps. But in the NFL, “maybes” don’t pay the bills - production does.
The Window Is Narrowing
Whether the Saints pick up his fifth-year option or not, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining season for Bresee. If the team declines the option, he’ll be playing for his next contract - not just in New Orleans, but potentially across the league. He’ll need to prove he can be a difference-maker, not just a rotational piece.
If they do exercise the option, then the pressure shifts. He’ll be playing to justify a hefty $12.9 million salary in 2027.
That’s a significant chunk of cap space, and the Saints will expect impact-level play in return. Either way, the stakes are high.
And don’t forget - the Saints have younger talent waiting in the wings. Vernon Broughton is a name worth watching, and with a deep defensive line class potentially available in the upcoming draft, the competition is only going to heat up. Bresee has to show he can hold off the next wave of talent, or risk being overtaken.
A “Prove-It” Year in Every Sense
This is the kind of season that defines careers. Bresee doesn’t just need to be better - he needs to be a force.
The Saints drafted him in the first round for a reason: his blend of size, athleticism, and upside was too good to pass up. But now it’s time to turn that potential into consistent production.
The opportunity is there. The cap space is coming.
The system is in place. All that’s left is for Bresee to rise to the moment.
Because whether it’s about earning that fifth-year payday or securing his future in the league, 2026 is Bryan Bresee’s prove-it year - and the clock is ticking.