This news was first released by Saints ESPN reporter Katherine Terrell on late Tuesday morning. Werner is the latest New Orleans player to restructure their contracts. The others include C Erik McCoy, QB Derek Carr, LB Demario Davis, DE Carl Granderson, DT Khalen Saunders, and G Cesar Ruiz. The Saints also released running back Jamaal Williams prior to the start of free agency.
Werner will turn 26 in July. He has been with the New Orleans Saints for the entirety of his four-year NFL career after being a second-round choice in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. This restructured deal with create an additional $2.5 million in cap space for the Saints.
In the final year of his rookie deal last season, New Orleans re-signed Werner to a three-year extension worth $22.5 million. He’s scheduled to make between $6.3 and $6.5 million over the final two years of his current contract.
After starting half of his 15 games as a rookie in 2021, Werner has been a constant starter alongside Demario Davis every subsequent year. Over those three years as a full-time starter, Werner has averaged over 88 tackles per season and has 14 career tackles for loss with a half sack and one interception.
In 2024-25, Werner’s 92 total tackles were second only to Demario Davis for the Saints. He’s missed only 11 games in his four years because of injury, including three last season.
Pete Werner is expected to play a big role as an inside linebacker in new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley and his 3-4 system. The Saints ranked a lowly 30th in total defense last season, including 27th against the pass and a putrid 31st against the run.
