Our countdown to kickoff continues with Day 20, which means Pete Werner is the New Orleans Saints Player of the Day. Expectations are higher for the veteran linebacker in 2024 now that he’s signed aa long-term contract extension. But what’s his story? Let’s break it down.
- Name (Age): Pete Werner (25)
- Position: Linebacker
- Height, weight: 6-foot-3, 242 pounds
- Relative Athletic Score: 9.52
- 2024 salary cap hit: $2,908,763
- College: Ohio State
- Drafted: Round 2 in 2021 (New Orleans Saints)
- NFL experience: 4 seasons
Werner went to high school in Indianapolis and initially committed to Notre Dame before flipping to Ohio State. He gained a ton of experience with the Buckeyes, initially playing on special teams before he earned more opportunities on defense. The Saints drafted him at No. 60 overall and he didn’t take long to work his way into the starting lineup.
And he’s done well for himself this summer. The Saints signed Willie Gay Jr. as competition for Werner’s starting job, and he did so well in training camp that the team offered him a three-year extension. And because Werner was already under contract for 2024, he’s now tied to the team through 2027. That’s valuable long-term security that gives the Saints a viable option in the middle of their defense once Demario Davis decides to call it a career, whether that happens next year or in two or three years.
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