New Orleans has already moved one defensive veteran, and an experienced safety could be the next departure.
Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid (20) in a press conference ahead of Super Bowl LIX at New Orleans Marriott.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The New Orleans Saints finally gave their home crowd something to celebrate on Sunday, surviving a dramatic overtime finish against the Cleveland Browns to secure a 23-22 victory. This win improved the Saints' record to 3-5 and provided a hopeful moment for a franchise still working to establish a competitive foundation under head coach Kellen Moore, but this victory should not change the organization's strategy as they approach the NFL trade deadline on November 10.
New Orleans remains in a developmental phase, facing significant defensive weaknesses, financial commitments, and several veteran players whose futures need careful consideration. General manager Mickey Loomis has already shown his willingness to make changes, having traded defensive tackle Davon Godchaux to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday.
They should offer Reid to Buffalo in exchange for a sixth-round selection in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Saints should trade Justin Reid to the Bills before the NFL deadline
NFL New Orleans Saints safety Justin Reid
Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
Reid arrived in New Orleans during the 2025 offseason with significant expectations. The former Kansas City Chiefs safety had established himself as a dependable veteran, bringing experience from two Super Bowl championship teams and a reputation for effective communication throughout the secondary. The Saints signed him to a three-year, $31.5 million contract, hoping his experience would provide stability while the organization developed younger defensive contributors, but his second season has been considerably less encouraging.
Through eight games, Reid has recorded 44 tackles but has not managed an interception or a pass defended. He registered seven tackles against the Cleveland Browns last Sunday, yet his overall performance in coverage has remained a concern throughout the season. Pro Football Focus assigned Reid a 44.4 overall defensive grade entering Week 9, ranking him 93rd among 98 qualified safeties. His coverage grade of 44.3 was similarly disappointing, placing him near the bottom of his position. These statistics highlight why New Orleans must reconsider whether retaining him provides enough value.
Although Reid is still an experienced player capable of communicating assignments and contributing against the run, his issues in coverage have hindered a defense that has struggled to contain opposing passing attacks. The Saints are currently allowing about 27 points per game, which puts considerable pressure on an inconsistent offense. Moore's team showed some improvement against Cleveland, particularly during crucial defensive possessions, but one solid performance cannot offset the problems that have persisted throughout the season.
Reid’s age also plays a role; he will turn 30 next year, and New Orleans needs to evaluate which defenders should be part of its long-term plans. The Saints could choose to continue starting him for the remainder of the season in hopes of improvement. On the other hand, trading him could create opportunities for younger players and potentially yield an additional draft selection.
Why Buffalo could benefit from acquiring Reid
The Bills enter the final hours before the trade deadline in a significantly different position. Buffalo has established itself as one of the strongest teams in the AFC, with Josh Allen leading one of the NFL's most productive offenses. The organization has legitimate championship ambitions, making improvements to its defense particularly important, but the secondary remains a concern. The Bills released Gardner-Johnson on November 3, ending his brief tenure with the team after six starts. During that time, the veteran safety recorded 26 tackles and an interception before the organization decided to explore other options. His departure has opened the door for Damar Hamlin, who is now taking on additional responsibilities alongside Cole Bishop.
While Buffalo can continue developing this partnership, relying on relatively limited depth in the secondary becomes riskier as the schedule gets tougher. General manager Brandon Beane should consider adding another experienced defender, especially one who can contribute without requiring significant draft compensation.
Reid would offer that experience. His prior championship appearances have given him a strong understanding of the challenges that come with postseason football. He has worked in demanding defensive environments and knows how to prepare for offenses that can exploit different coverage schemes. These qualities could make him a valuable addition to defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard's rotation.
Buffalo wouldn't need to guarantee Reid a starting position right away. He could initially take on selected responsibilities, provide veteran depth, and assist the coaching staff in evaluating different personnel combinations. His presence could become especially crucial if another safety suffers an injury during the second half of the season.
What New Orleans should demand in return
The Saints should propose a straightforward exchange that reflects Reid's declining production and Buffalo's need for experienced depth.
Proposed trade:
Bills receive: S Justin Reid
Saints receive: 2027 sixth-round draft pick
A sixth-round selection may seem disappointing given the contract that New Orleans awarded Reid less than two years ago. However, based on his current performance, a substantial return seems unlikely. If Buffalo were to acquire Reid, they would also take on a significant financial commitment. The Saints restructured Reid's contract during the offseason, converting $7.95 million of his compensation for 2026 into a bonus. This adjustment reduced his current base salary to $1.3 million, making the unpaid portion relatively inexpensive for another team to acquire.
A more crucial consideration involves 2027. Reid is scheduled to earn a base salary of $9.25 million next season, although this amount is not guaranteed. Therefore, the acquiring team would have the flexibility to either retain him, negotiate a revised agreement, or move on after the season. For Buffalo, this structure makes the transaction more manageable compared to pursuing a veteran whose future compensation is fully guaranteed.
On the other hand, for New Orleans, the financial implications are considerably less favorable. The Saints would still be responsible for previously allocated bonus money, and trading Reid would accelerate certain salary-cap charges associated with his contract. This move would generate only modest immediate salary relief, which means that Loomis cannot treat the transaction as an opportunity to create significant financial flexibility.
This distinction is crucial when evaluating the proposal. New Orleans would primarily be trading Reid to acquire draft capital and reassess its defensive personnel, rather than to resolve immediate salary-cap issues.
Why the Saints should continue selling despite Sunday's victory
Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid (20) is introduced against the Las Vegas Raiders prior to a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans' overtime victory against Cleveland showcased several positive developments, especially from its younger offensive players. Quarterback Tyler Shough threw for 265 yards and a touchdown, connecting with Juwan Johnson for the game-winning score. Chris Olave also made significant contributions, recording seven receptions for 98 yards, highlighting his importance as the offense continues to develop. These performances lay a stronger foundation for the future than continuing to rely on declining veteran production. The Saints have already begun reshaping their roster by trading Godchaux to Jacksonville. Moving Reid could further this strategy without necessitating the loss of one of their most promising young players.
General Manager Mickey Loomis must balance player development with maintaining a competitive environment. Veterans provide essential leadership, and the Saints cannot effectively rebuild by removing all experienced players from the locker room. Reid's situation presents an opportunity for a more strategic decision. He could offer valuable depth for Buffalo while allowing New Orleans to explore options for adding young talent. Although the potential return may be modest, the Saints should consider the broader benefits of opening up defensive snaps and enhancing their flexibility for future roster decisions.
Buffalo's interest in Reid remains hypothetical, and there is no guarantee that General Manager Brandon Beane would view Reid as an upgrade over their current options. Given the Bills’ own defensive concerns, evaluating the veteran makes sense, especially at a reasonable acquisition price.
New Orleans should make this move before Tuesday's deadline. While a sixth-round selection won’t transform the franchise overnight, converting a veteran with an uncertain future into another draft asset would be a sensible step toward building a more sustainable roster.
Yago Antunes is a Brazilian journalist and writer with experience covering esports, the NFL, NBA, and soccer. He has contributed to online outlets and reported on major international tournaments.