Taylor's future with the team is up in the air, but that does not mean he can't come back.
Entering 2026 NFL free agency, the New Orleans Saints have a couple of difficulty decisions to make, and if they get it wrong, it could set back the potential progress they want to make next season.
One of the main places this is extremely relevant is on defense, specifically the DB room. CB Alontae Taylor is set to hit free agency for the first time in his career
Alontae Taylor's Time With the Saints
Before getting to the decision process, let's. Throughout Taylor's young career, he has moved around the defense, while also playing a new defense this past season. His rookie year was excellent, and he looked like a potential CB1. After that season, Taylor was moved to the slot and struggled.
It's understandable to have those early struggles after the change, but what was concerning was when Taylor was moved back to the outside during injuries. He did not look like what many saw in his rookie year. Taylor moved back to the slot, and that is where he has been since.
This past season was Taylor's best in the slot, and he brought energy to this defense.
Why the Saints Should and Shouldn't Bring Back Alontae Taylor
Back to the free agency conversation, this is going to be a very difficult situation for the Saints, and I am happy that I am not the one making it. Let's look at the thought process behind GM Mickey Loomis decision making.
As I mentioned with Taylor last season, he had his best year. He looked solid in the slot, had improved his tackling throughout the year, was dangerous as a blitzer, and made plays in the air. There is still potential with Taylor, and if DC Brandon Staley still views him as vital to this defense, bringing him back may be necessary. In addition, the CB room is very volatile right now, so having some consistency among players could be great going into next season.
Now for the reasons against bringing Taylor back. Yes, Taylor is improving in 2025, but for the Saints, betting on that is way too risky, especially with the potential payday he can get in free agency. I fully believe that Taylor will have a great year in 2026, but only if he has a change of scenery. Also, he is already 27. If the Saints bank on his development, sign him to a fairly large three-year contract, and he ends up stalling in that improvement, this could be a similar contract situation to Cesar Ruiz.
Slot CB is a position that has great options in the draft and free agency, and in the end, both the Saints and Taylor will be better off if the CB hits free agency this offseason.