Saints to Sign Jason Pierre-Paul to Bolster Defense, per Report
The Saints may have a Week 11 bye but the break hasn’t persuaded the team to rest on its laurels with the stretch run on the horizon.
Two-time Super Bowl champion pass rusher Jason Pierre-Paul announced he plans to sign with New Orleans (5–5) after visiting the club for a workout on Monday, according to Josina Anderson of CBS Sports. In confirming Anderson’s report, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football added that Pierre-Paul will be signed to the Saints’ practice squad.
The news has not yet been made official by the Saints but the reportedly pending move would address a key need for the team after struggling to bring pressure so far this season. Entering Week 11, New Orleans ranks bottom-10 in QB pressures and 28th in sacks (18).
After entering the 2023 campaign as a free agent, Pierre-Paul, who spent the 2022 season with the Ravens, could bring a nice boost to New Orleans’ improving yet solid D. For his career, the three-time Pro Bowler has racked up 94.5 sacks in stints with Baltimore, as well as the Giants and Buccaneers — with whom he won rings in 2011 and 2020, respectively.
With Pierre-Paul now set to join his fourth team, the 34-year-old seems energized to return after expressing his enthusiasm to keep playing on Nov. 8 during a chat with Anderson.
“I been training my ass off, even though I’m not on a team,” said Pierre-Paul. “I been looking at a lot of football lately, and I feel like I can still make a contender shift now. There are plenty of teams that still need a pass rush. So I’m just waiting for that call.”
“Whatever team I end up on is going to get the best of me. I’ll be all out; I don’t need a whole season. There are teams I want to be on. I’m looking for my 3rd push to another Super Bowl ring. People love winners.”
