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Jeffery Simmons' market-resetting extension with the Tennessee Titans this past weekend was another reminder of how quickly the price of elite talent can climb. Simmons agreed to a three-year deal worth $105.8 million, making him the highest-paid defensive lineman in NFL history with over $100 million in guarantees, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
For the New Orleans Saints, it also raises an interesting question about their roster: are there any players in New Orleans who could eventually put themselves at the top of their position's market? They might not have a player on the verge of resetting their market right now, but several young, high-upside pieces have an outside chance. Here are three Saints players most likely to reset the market at their positions:
This is the easiest answer because of the position. If Shough becomes the next franchise quarterback that the Saints believe he can be, his next contract would become one of the most important deals in franchise history — right up there with Drew Brees. Quarterback money operates differently from every other position; the market is constantly being reset with the importance of the position.
Shough still has to prove that he can be a franchise guy over a full season or two, but the path is certainly an obvious one. He has the size, arm talent, intelligence, and the offensive pieces around him to make that real jump, and if it goes as expected, the conversation about his future will quickly shift to questions about his value.
Kelvin Banks Jr. and Taliese Fuaga belong together here because they represent back-to-back first-round picks for the Saints. New Orleans has invested heavily in protecting Shough and building a long-term offensive foundation. If Banks and Fuaga both develop into high-level starters, the Saints could have one of the better young tackle situations in football.
Banks certainly has the highest likelihood of becoming a true market-resetting candidate if he becomes a franchise left tackle. The position is one of the most valuable in the sport. Protecting Shough, and any other quarterback's blindside, is something that teams are willing to pay top money for.
For Fuaga, his case is still strong, but it's not the same as Banks'. Even if he stays on the right side, the value of elite right tackles continues to rise. Defenses have been moving their pass rushers around more than ever, which makes him just as important.
The dream scenario for the Saints is that Banks and Fuaga become long-term staples in New Orleans. If that happens, they could be forced to pay one or both, like offensive cornerstones.
Chase Young is easily the biggest wild card on the list. His biggest question is whether he can turn elite flashes and turn them into consistent, league-leading production.
A solid season wouldn't be enough to reset the market. Young would need to become one of the NFL's most productive pass rushers — a Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett-esque player that makes offenses account for the player at all times.
With the offseason hype train already underway for Young, it's entirely possible he could take a massive step up in 2026, even with Cameron Jordan returning for a final season. He might be the least likely of the three to reset the market, but the upside makes it hard to ignore.
The Saints do not have a guaranteed market-resetting player on their roster right now. In fact, very few teams do. Only the game's most productive players are given these types of contracts.
But Shough, Banks, Fuaga, and Young are all at positions where one breakout season can change everything. If the Saints' current plan works out, New Orleans could eventually have the problem every team wants: paying players at the top of their market.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Chase Young, Tyler Shough among Saints' potential market-setting deals
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For the New Orleans Saints, it also raises an interesting question about their roster: are there any players in New Orleans who could eventually put themselves at the top of their position's market? They might not have a player on the verge of resetting their market right now, but several young, high-upside pieces have an outside chance. Here are three Saints players most likely to reset the market at their positions:
Tyler Shough, Quarterback
This is the easiest answer because of the position. If Shough becomes the next franchise quarterback that the Saints believe he can be, his next contract would become one of the most important deals in franchise history — right up there with Drew Brees. Quarterback money operates differently from every other position; the market is constantly being reset with the importance of the position.
Shough still has to prove that he can be a franchise guy over a full season or two, but the path is certainly an obvious one. He has the size, arm talent, intelligence, and the offensive pieces around him to make that real jump, and if it goes as expected, the conversation about his future will quickly shift to questions about his value.
Kelvin Banks Jr. and Taliese Fuaga, Offensive tackle
Kelvin Banks Jr. and Taliese Fuaga belong together here because they represent back-to-back first-round picks for the Saints. New Orleans has invested heavily in protecting Shough and building a long-term offensive foundation. If Banks and Fuaga both develop into high-level starters, the Saints could have one of the better young tackle situations in football.
Banks certainly has the highest likelihood of becoming a true market-resetting candidate if he becomes a franchise left tackle. The position is one of the most valuable in the sport. Protecting Shough, and any other quarterback's blindside, is something that teams are willing to pay top money for.
For Fuaga, his case is still strong, but it's not the same as Banks'. Even if he stays on the right side, the value of elite right tackles continues to rise. Defenses have been moving their pass rushers around more than ever, which makes him just as important.
The dream scenario for the Saints is that Banks and Fuaga become long-term staples in New Orleans. If that happens, they could be forced to pay one or both, like offensive cornerstones.
Chase Young, Edge defender
Chase Young is easily the biggest wild card on the list. His biggest question is whether he can turn elite flashes and turn them into consistent, league-leading production.
A solid season wouldn't be enough to reset the market. Young would need to become one of the NFL's most productive pass rushers — a Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett-esque player that makes offenses account for the player at all times.
With the offseason hype train already underway for Young, it's entirely possible he could take a massive step up in 2026, even with Cameron Jordan returning for a final season. He might be the least likely of the three to reset the market, but the upside makes it hard to ignore.
The final outlook
The Saints do not have a guaranteed market-resetting player on their roster right now. In fact, very few teams do. Only the game's most productive players are given these types of contracts.
But Shough, Banks, Fuaga, and Young are all at positions where one breakout season can change everything. If the Saints' current plan works out, New Orleans could eventually have the problem every team wants: paying players at the top of their market.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Chase Young, Tyler Shough among Saints' potential market-setting deals
Continue reading...
