Canal Street Chronicles
Three observations from New Orleans’ preseason finale loss to Tennessee.
The New Orleans Saints final game of the 2024 preseason resulted in a 30-27 loss to the Tennessee Titans.
Although the Saints didn’t secure the win in the dome, there were still some notable performances that should excite fans about the team’s future, alongside a few concerns for this upcoming season.
Let’s take a look at three overreactions for the 2024 season following the Saints’ preseason finale:
The Saints’ receivers struggled to hold on to the football during Sunday’s matchup in New Orleans, despite rookie QB Spencer Rattler showcasing his arm talent. Most of the Saints’ backup pass catchers who saw the field against Tennessee were responsible for at least one drop, which could lead the team to explore the WR market prior to the start of the regular season. The only roster locks at receiver appear to be Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, A.T. Perry, and Cedrick Wilson Jr.
When considering the current market at the position, one name stands out: former Saints WR Michael Thomas, who has spent his entire seven-year career in New Orleans. With former New England Patriots WR JuJu Smith-Schuster reuniting with the Kansas City Chiefs on a veteran minimum one-year deal, Thomas appears to be one of the few intriguing options remaining, along with former Detroit Lions WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, former Las Vegas Raiders WR Hunter Renfrow, former New York Giants WRs Isaiah Hodgins and Allen Robinson, and former Baltimore Ravens WR Russell Gage. Current Denver Broncos WR Tim Patrick is also available for trade and is receiving significant interest around the league.
Although a reunion with the team might be a long shot for the 2019 offensive player of the year, it could be beneficial for both parties to negotiate a one-year deal through the 2024 season. Given Michael Thomas’ resume, he could address the Saints’ need for veteran assistance at the receiver position as he looks to rejuvenate his career and prove he is still a dominant player in this league. Thomas rarely drops passes and is a reliable chain mover. However, the main concern regarding the former Ohio State Buckeye is his health, as he has only appeared in 20 games over the past three NFL seasons. If the Saints wanted to bring back Thomas, they would likely need to mend the relationship between him and starting QB Derek Carr, as the two had a bit of a fallout via social media this offseason. Thomas has also voiced his frustrations with the way things have been operated under HC Dennis Allen, but hopefully the additions of OC Klint Kubiak and QB Spencer Rattler will help shift his view on the future of this football team.
At the right price, it would be tough to pass on signing arguably the best WR in franchise history, especially with the team’s need for depth at the position.
Throughout the...
