Canal Street Chronicles
The New Orleans Saints were finally able to secure a victory on Sunday, defeating the New York Giants 26–14 in Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season. Here’s the biggest overreaction from this weekend’s matchup:
The Saints should trade veteran S Justin Reid
After Reid was taken out of Sunday’s matchup due to the league’s concussion protocol, the Saints’ young safety duo—2023 fifth-round pick Jordan Howden and 2025 third-round pick Jonas Sanker—continued to impress. And with rumors circulating that New Orleans is willing to listen to offers for veteran players, perhaps their emergence opens the door for a potential move involving the 28-year-old Reid, whom they just inked to a three-year, $31.5 million deal this offseason.
Look, there’s no question the Saints have found something special in Sanker, who turned in another outstanding performance against the Giants—recording seven total tackles (six solo), one stop and a fumble recovery after Demario Davis punched it out. It seemed like he was cleaning up everyone’s missed tackles and even found himself in the backfield a couple of times, adding a tackle for loss as well.
When it comes to Howden, we’re finally seeing him take real strides in his development after a strong training camp. While filling in for the injured Reid, the 25-year-old tallied four tackles, three stops and returned Bryan Bresee’s forced fumble 86 yards to the house—tying Tyrone Hughes’ 86-yard fumble return against the San Francisco 49ers on Nov. 28, 1994, for the second-longest in franchise history.
That said, I’ve seen some fans calling for Reid to be moved to keep the young guys on the field while also getting something in return. However, I’m just not sure that’s a wise decision with such a young and inexperienced secondary.
The emergence of Kool-Aid McKinstry against the Giants should certainly boost the morale of the position group, but there’s not anyone else in that secondary who’s as vocal and experienced as Reid—and losing him could significantly weaken the defensive backfield.
Reid was even posting on social media about his excitement for the defense—and for Kool-Aid McKinstry specifically—while he was ruled out with a concussion. It’s clear he’s the most prominent voice and leader of that room, so I think it’s an overreaction to say it’s time to move on already.
Not to mention, Reid is a two-time Super Bowl champion and was named a captain after just one offseason in New Orleans—the kind of player you want motivating your young secondary when the Saints eventually get rolling.
