Report: Jason Pierre-Paul Expected to Sign With Saints

Saints expected to add decorated Pro Bowl pass rusher, per report.

CBS NFL Insider Josina Anderson is reporting that veteran pass rusher Jason Pierre-Paul told her Monday night that he planned on signing with the New Orleans Saints. Pierre-Paul visited with the Saints on Monday afternoon. Anderson reported that she had a phone conversation with Pierre-Paul, who said that the workout went very well and that he'd be joining the Saints. 

Pierre-Paul, 34, has been an unrestricted free agent all season after playing with the Baltimore Ravens in 2022. He's a 13-year NFL veteran with 94.5 career sacks, 127 tackles for loss, five interceptions, 21 fumbles forced, and 10 fumbles recovered.

A first-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft out of South Florida by the New York Giants, Pierre-Paul has been a part of two Super Bowl championship teams. He played his first eight years for the Giants, where he had 58.5 sacks and earned two Pro Bowl bids.

Traded by the Giants to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2018, Pierre-Paul had 33 sacks, two interceptions, and 35 tackles for loss in four years there. He'd sign with the Ravens last season, where he had three sacks and five tackles for loss in situational duty over 14 games. 

Nov 8, 2020; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) is tackled by Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul (90). Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY

Pierre-Paul joins a New Orleans defense that ranks 10th in total yardage and ninth against the pass. The Saints have struggled to generate a consistent pass rush and have only 18 sacks this season, near the bottom of the league. New Orleans has gotten eight sacks and 25 QB hits from their defensive ends, including a team-high 5.5 sacks from DE Carl Granderson. They've gotten just two sacks from their edge rushers over the last four games. 

At 6'5" and 275-Lbs., Pierre-Paul has been successful as a defensive end in 4-3 fronts and a stand-up outside linebacker in 3-4 alignments. The Saints are currently 5-5, but hold first place in the NFC South. New Orleans has a bye in Week 11. They'll next be in action on November 26, when they travel to face the Atlanta Falcons.