Saints coach throws cold water on potential trade

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Adam Holt | Last updated Feb 28, 2024 7:30 PM ET

The New Orleans Saints made a contract restructure right after their season ended. It was with star cornerback Marshon Lattimore. The new deal effectively allows him to get traded easier.

Accordingly, fans shuddered at the idea that their top player in the secondary may have one foot out the door already. Saints head coach Dennis Allen put those speculations to rest, to a degree, on Wednesday.

In a discussion at the NFL Scouting Combine, Allen said that Lattimore can help the Saints going forward.

DA on Marshon Lattimore: He’s a part of this football team, has made a lot of plays for us, and I think he can help this team going forward. Says it’s just come down to injuries. #Saints
— Erin Summers (@ErinESummers) February 28, 2024

Lattimore will headline the cornerback group in New Orleans once again next year if he stays healthy. That is a big "if" after the past few seasons, though. He's dealt with multiple injuries, and Lattimore did miss a major portion of the 2023 season.

Now, Allen's comments don't completely end the potential of a trade. It's possible that New Orleans finds the right deal to move off of him and create more cap space. He'd leave a big hole on the unit, though.

At the same time, if they can keep him, their defensive talent looks to be very solid for 2024 once again. Depth will be a concern, but the NFL Draft and some minor free agency moves can aid in that aspect.