Breaking: Saints Lock In Kenny Pickett on Four-Year, \$205 Million Contract
**New Orleans, May 24, 2025** – In what represents one of the most consequential personnel moves of the NFL offseason, the New Orleans Saints have reached agreement on a landmark four-year deal worth \$205 million with former Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett. The contract, which includes \$120 million guaranteed, was finalized late Friday night, sources tell ESPN.
The move comes on the heels of veteran Derek Carr’s abrupt retirement earlier this spring, which left New Orleans suddenly without a proven starter under center. With Carr off the roster, the Saints entered the offseason with Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener battling internally for the starting job. But after extensive evaluations—both on the practice field and in front-office meetings—Saints general manager Mickey Loomis and head coach Kellen Moore concluded that a dependable veteran was necessary to stabilize the position.
> “We needed someone who’s been through the highs and lows of this league,” Moore told reporters moments after the announcement. “Kenny brings the maturity, the work ethic and the leadership we covet. He’ll be our guy as we chase championships.”
From First-Round Prospect to Proven Starter
Kenny Pickett first entered the league as the 20th overall pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022, following a record-setting career at the University of Pittsburgh. Despite flashes of brilliance—most notably a six-touchdown performance against the Detroit Lions in Week 10 of his rookie season—Pickett struggled to cement himself as Pittsburgh’s franchise man, finishing his tenure there with 13 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and a 62.4 percent completion rate over 24 starts.
After Pittsburgh declined his fifth-year option, Pickett was traded to the Cleveland Browns during the 2025 offseason. With the Browns, he served as the veteran bridge under center for rookie phenom Shedeur Sanders but saw limited action in relief of starter Joe Flacco. Observers praised Pickett’s steady presence in the huddle and his ability to mentor younger teammates in Cleveland’s quarterback room.
A Generational Opportunity in New Orleans
New Orleans has long prized quarterback stability ever since Drew Brees’s Hall-of-Fame career. The sudden exit of Carr—who signed a four-year, \$150 million contract just two years ago—left the Saints scrambling for answers at the NFL’s most important position. While rookies and young backups held spring-ball reps, those performances fell short of the franchise’s high standards.
League insiders report that multiple teams courted Pickett once he became available. But New Orleans’s pitch—centered on an offense led by play‐caller Kellen Moore and a passionate fan base starved for a new quarterback hero—proved irresistible.
> “They made me feel wanted,” Pickett said in his introductory press conference. “Every phone call I got from Coach Moore and GM Loomis reinforced their belief in me. That confidence made this choice easy. I’m excited to be a Saint.”
The Contract Breakdown
* **Total Value**: \$205 million over four seasons
* **Guaranteed Money**: \$120 million at signing (highest guarantee ever given to a player with under 10 NFL starts)
* **Signing Bonus**: \$60 million
* **Average Annual Value**: \$51.25 million
* **2015 Cap Hit**: \$47.5 million (projected)
* **2026 Cap Hit**: \$29 million, with escalators tied to Pro Bowl and playoff appearances
The deal also contains performance incentives that could push the total value over \$225 million if Pickett reaches multiple Pro Bowls and playoff milestones.
Immediate Impact and Expectations
Saints owner Gayle Benson, in attendance at the Superdome when the paperwork was signed, expressed unbridled optimism:
> “This is a transformative moment for our franchise. We’ve invested not only in talent but in leadership, character and a winning mentality. Kenny Pickett checks all those boxes.”
Kellen Moore, entering his second season as a head coach, now inherits a veteran quarterback who has navigated both adversity and spotlight in Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Moore, who previously served as Pickett’s offensive coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles, emphasized their existing rapport:
> “Our time together in Philly allowed me to witness his dedication every day. He’ll fit seamlessly into our system.”
Reactions from Around the League
* **ESPN Analyst:** Louis Riddick called the move “bold,” noting, “The guarantee figure is record-setting for a transitional quarterback, but New Orleans clearly views Pickett as more than a placeholder.”
* **Former QB Matt Ryan:** Tweeted, “Huge congrats to Kenny. He’s earned this shot.”
* **NFLPA Director:** “Kenny’s deal raises the bar for mid-career quarterbacks seeking security and opportunity.”
What This Means for the Saints’ Roster
With Pickett under center, attention now turns to how New Orleans will shape its supporting cast:
* **Offensive Line:** The Saints are expected to pursue upgrades via free agency to protect their new quarterback.
* **Receiving Corps:** Michael Thomas and Chris Olave remain the focal points; rumors swirl around a potential trade for veteran wideout Davante Adams.
* **Backfield:** Alvin Kamara recently reaffirmed his commitment to New Orleans, leaving room for a potent dual threat backfield.
On defense, the Saints have earmarked resources to re-sign pass rusher Cameron Jordan and cornerback Marshon Lattimore, aiming to maintain the stingy unit that ranked in the NFL’s top five against the pass last season.
A New Era Dawns in “The Big Easy”
As the organization turns a fresh page, fans in the Crescent City have already begun celebrating. The iconic fleur-de-lis logo now symbolizes hope for sustained success in the post-Brees era.
Season ticket renewals have surged by 15 percent since the announcement, and local businesses near the Superdome report a spike in requests for “Pickett #5” jerseys. Even the local marching band has polled favorably on whether to debut a new “Pickett, Pickett” chant this fall.
Former Saints quarterback and current ambassador Drew Brees was among the first to congratulate Pickett:
> “Welcome to the family, Kenny. We’re thrilled you chose New Orleans. Can’t wait to see you shine under the dome.”
Training camp opens in late July, where Pickett will take the first snaps of his Saints career. All eyes will be on his chemistry with Moore, his rapport with weapons like Olave and Thomas, and his ability to command the huddle.
But even before pads pop, the deal has sent a clear signal: the Saints are firmly in “win-now” mode. With \$120 million guaranteed, New Orleans has bet big on Kenny Pickett as their long-term answer under center.
As the countdown to Week 1 begins, one thing is certain: an exciting new chapter in Saints history kicks off now. Whether Pickett delivers a Super Bowl parade or simply stabilizes a position that’s been in flux, his \$205 million arrival marks a defining moment—for him, for the franchise, and for a city that lives and breathes football.
