Marshon Lattimore‘s name has frequently been mentioned in trade talk this offseason, but no deal has been worked out. As OTAs begin around the league, including in New Orleans, the Pro Bowl cornerback appears set to remain in place for the coming season.
When speaking at the Saints Hall of Fame charity golf tournament, head coach Dennis Allen said he spoke with Lattimore recently and that the sides are “moving forward,” per New Orleans Football Network. Allen described his discussion with the former Defensive Rookie of the Year as a “positive conversation,” an encouraging sign for his future with the team.
Lattimore’s contract was restructured this offseason, and he now has an option bonus due one week before the start of the campaign. That timing led to speculation a trade could be in the cards, and ahead of free agency, teams began showing interest. At the draft, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis confirmed the team contemplated a trade. Lattimore is still seen as a core member of New Orleans’ defense, though, which he has been since arriving in the NFL.
The former first-rounder has started all 90 of his games, and he recorded double-digit pass deflections in each of his first five seasons with the Saints. Injuries have limited Lattimore to just 17 games across the past two campaigns, but he remains on the books for three more seasons. He is set to carry a cap hit of $14.62M in 2024, a reasonable enough figure for an acquiring team to take on in a trade. After that, however, his cap numbers are scheduled to spike to $31.41M and $28.56M. Lattimore is due salaries of $16M and $16.5M in 2025 and 2026, but they are not guaranteed.
Allen did not specify whether or not he expects the Ohio State product to take part in the Saints’ upcoming OTAs. Especially if he does, though, it would be an indication he is prepared to continue his career in New Orleans, matching the team’s desire on that front.
