New Orleans Saints linebacker Pete Werner has agreed to a three-year contract extension worth $25 million, according to a source familiar with the agreement.
The source shared the information with The Associated Press but requested to remain anonymous because the financial details were not made public.
While not discussing the specifics of the contract, Saints coach Dennis Allen talked about Werner’s extension after Thursday’s practice at training camp in Irvine, California.
“Pete’s a guy that’s going to be a cornerstone piece for our defense as we move forward,” Allen said. “It’s good to get a guy that you feel good about and that stands for all the things that you believe in and the way that we want to play football.
And to be able to lock one of those guys up for the future is good.”
Werner is heading into his fourth NFL season after being picked in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft from Ohio State.
This offseason, the Saints brought in former Kansas City linebacker Willie Gay to challenge Werner for playing time. Despite this, Werner was still taking first-team snaps until he injured his shoulder about two weeks into camp.
“Up until the injury, I think he was performing at a really high level,” Allen said. “When we have good players and we have a chance to bring them in, we let them come in and we let them compete. I think Pete responded well.”
The 25-year-old Werner’s rookie contract was set to end after this season.
Werner started all but one game last season and has 35 starts in three seasons. He was taking first-team snaps during the first week of training camp before his recent injury.
In 2023, Werner made a career-high 93 tackles, including four tackles for loss and half a sack. He also recovered two fumbles and intercepted a pass.
