He hasn't even been back in Louisiana for more than six months, but the New Orleans Saints newly acquired safety and Prairieville, La., native Justin Reid says that he feels like he's known his current teammates for years.
"I mean the culture has come together." Reid shared with Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith. "I think everyone saw the way that we were flying around that first series in the game, especially on the defensive side of the ball, and how this unit has jelled together. We have an identity that we want to let everybody know we’re gonna punch you in the mouth."
Reid, who signed a three-year, $31.5 million contract with the Saints back in March, has already found himself in a leadership role, as he was voted a team captain for the 2025 season. However, it's really nothing new for the two-time Super Bowl champion. "In order to receive respect, you first have to give respect," Reid said back in 2022 at his Kansas City Chiefs introductory press conference. "I'm big on that. I want to earn these guys' respect; I want to prove to them that I can be the leader."
The New Orleans Saints' new defensive identity
Justin Reid isn't the only new face on defense for the New Orleans Saints. In fact, he's just one of many, as the New Orleans defense underwent a massive overhaul following the 2024 season. That much is evident by the fact that the man who will be playing on the opposite end of the field from him won't be his former teammate and Louisiana's son, Tyrann Mathieu. He unexpectedly retired back in July.
Instead of the Honey Badger, the other starting safety for the Saints is Julien Blackmon, who was signed just a day after Mathieu announced his retirement. Another new face for the Saints safeties is Jonas Sanker, who was drafted in the third round back in April. Come to think of it, the only safety that's left from last year's squad is Jordan Howden.
The cornerbacks of the Saints will also look a tad different in 2025, as last year's two starters on the outside, Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo, aren't even on the roster. Come Sep. 7 against the Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans's new starting cornerbacks are expected to be Kool-Aid McKinstry and Isaac Yiadom.
All of that is on top of the entirely new defensive scheme that is brought on by defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, who runs a 3-4 defense, the opposite of what last year's HC/defensive guru Dennis Allen ran. A 3-4 defense, which features three down linemen and four linebackers, is expected to bring out a lot in the Saints' defensive line. "It's going to be fun; it's giving us the ability to fly," defensive end Chase Young said to the media.