Locking the Interior: The Saints exercised Bresee's Fifth-Year Option
· Yahoo Sports
As first reported by Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football, the Saints have officially exercised the 2027 option for their 2023 29th-overall pick. The move locks in a $13.931 million fully guaranteed salary for that season. To some, that’s a steep price for a player whose 2025 production saw a dip; to those watching the tape, it’s a necessary investment in a homegrown disruptor.
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The Saints picked up Bryan Bresee's fifth-year option, I'm told. He is now under contract through the 2027 season.
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) April 8, 2026
A Tale of Two Trenches
Bresee’s NFL journey has been a fascinating study in development. After a productive rookie year, he exploded in 2024 with 7.5 sacks and 14 quarterback hits, appearing to be the heir apparent to the dominant interior forces the Saints have historically relied upon.
However, 2025 was a bit more "human." His stats took a step back:
- Games Played: 15 (missed 2 due to a knee injury)
- Sacks: 2.5
- QB Hits: 8
If you only look at the box score, you might question the nearly $14 million price tag. But the NFL isn't played on a spreadsheet. Bresee remains a 6-foot-5, 305-pound athlete who can move like a man ten years his senior. While his run defense still needs polish—a fact often highlighted by Pro Football Focus—his ability to collapse the pocket from the inside is a trait the Saints cannot afford to let walk out the door.
Why the Move Makes Sense
The Saints’ cap gymnastics are legendary, and while "guaranteed money" is usually a scary phrase in New Orleans, this decision provides much-needed stability.
- Market Value: By the time 2027 rolls around, a $13.9 million salary for a starting-caliber defensive tackle will likely look like a bargain. The interior defensive market has skyrocketed recently; paying Bresee "middle-of-the-pack" money for "top-tier potential" is smart business.
- The Defensive Identity: New Orleans has always built from the inside out. With aging veterans across the roster, Bresee represents the "bridge" to the next generation of the Saints' defense.
- Durability: Aside from a minor knee setback late in 2025, Bresee has been remarkably durable, appearing in 49 of 51 possible games. For a player who dealt with significant injuries in college at Clemson, this is a massive green flag.
The Outlook
Exercising this option isn't a reward for what Bresee did last season. It’s a bet on what he’ll do in the next two. The Saints are banking on the 24-year-old finding the consistency that saw him dominate in 2024.
Is it a gamble? Of course. But in a league where finding interior pass-rushers is like hunting for gold in a muddy river. The Saints just decided to hold onto the biggest nugget they’ve found in years. Now, it’s on Bresee to prove that $13.9 million is a discount, not a debt.