Dennis Allen was fired by the New Orleans Saints in 2024 for many reasons, but topping the list was the catastrophic fall of his defense. From 2018 through 2022, the Saints had one of the NFL’s best defenses. A defensive drop in 2023 was followed by a plummet to the bottom of the league in 2024, in part leading to Allen’s dismissal.
Brandon Staley was hired to take over the New Orleans defense upon the hiring of Kellen Moore as head coach. Despite a significant change in scheme, the Saints were stronger on defense than offense to begin 2025. By the end of the year, the Saints were one of the top defenses in the NFL. New Orleans finished 9th in total defense and ranked 4th against the pass. The continued development of Bryan Bresee, Kool-Aid McKinstry and Alontae Taylor along with the rapid progress of rookies Quincy Riley and Jonas Sanker all played huge roles. However, these three stood out most in earning our 2025 New Orleans Saints defensive game balls.
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Demario Davis
Dec 7, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56) reacts after a tackle during the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
At 37 and in his 14th season, Davis continued an extremely high level of play. Davis led the Saints with 143 tackles, the most of his spectacular career. It was his ninth straight year with over 100 tackles and 13th straight with at least 90 stops. Davis also forced 2 fumbles, had a fumble recovery, recorded a half sack among 6 tackles for loss, and broke up 3 passes.
More than just another statistically strong season, Davis remained the key to all his team’s defensive success. He took more of a coverage role over blitzer in 2025, but did a nice job in intermediate coverage and closing on throws in front of him. Davis was even better against the run, leading a resurgent performance by the run defense.
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Demario Davis has lost very little of his sideline-to-sideline agility. His elite instincts and anticipation more than made up for what little he did lose. Even at 37, Davis remained the centerpiece for one of the league’s top defenses.
Cameron Jordan
Dec 21, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) during the run outs before the game against the New York Jets at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Like Davis, Cam Jordan showed he has plenty of top-tier football left in his 15th NFL season. Some felt that Jordan wouldn’t contribute much at 36 and after two down years. He’d do much more than just prove the naysayers wrong, he was a huge part of a resurrected pass rush.
Jordan led the Saints with 10.5 sacks. It was his highest sack production since 2021 and the seventh double-digit sack season of his amazing career. He’d also have a team-leading 15 QB hits and 15 tackles for loss while forcing 2 fumbles, deflecting 3 passes, and recording 22 pressures. Jordan did it from mostly a stand-up rusher spot, a position he hadn’t consistently played in well over two decades.
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Whether Cam Jordan has played his last game in a Saints uniform or not will be determined this offseason. If he has, he certainly capped off a Hall of Fame worthy career on a high note. If he hasn’t, Jordan more than showed that he still has plenty to contribute to a mostly young New Orleans defensive squad.
Chase Young
Dec 28, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Chase Young (99) celebrates a tackle for loss against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
In 2024, his first year with the Saints, Young showed enough for the team to award him with a three-year contract extension. Still, Young was mostly what he’s been since Washington selected him with the second overall choice in the 2020 NFL draft — a player who flashed tremendous potential but wasn’t consistent and wasn’t a finisher. His 2025 campaign may have changed at least some of those perceptions.
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After missing the first five games of this year, many of the same criticisms resurfaced. Once he got onto the field, however, Young played by far the best football of his six-year career. In the process, he also became the defense’s most productive force while appearing in each of the last 12 contests.
Young had 10 sacks in those 12 games, the most he’s ever produced. He led the defense with 30 pressures, tied Jordan for the team lead with 15 QB hits, and had 11 tackles for loss. Young also tipped 4 passes and forced 2 fumbles while recovering 3 fumbles and returning one for a touchdown. His pass rush disruption was better than any other point in his career, as was his run defense, a huge improvement in his game.
Chase Young was arguably the overall New Orleans team MVP in 2025 and most certainly the best player on a rising defense. At only 26 years old, he’s also an exciting young part of the unit’s core for the foreseeable future.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: New Orleans Saints defense: Peak performers from 2025 season
