In a surprising turn of events, the New Orleans Saints are contemplating cutting ties with former first-round pick Payton Turner. The Payton Turner Era has hit a few bumps in the road since the Saints drafted him with the 28th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Turner, the first selection of the post-Drew Brees Era, has struggled to make an impact on the field, racking up just three sacks, 29 tackles, eight tackles-for-loss, and eight quarterback hits in his 15-game career.
The Saints made it clear they were not committed to Turner for the long haul when they declined the fifth-year option in his contract earlier this offseason. Now, there are talks about the Saints potentially cutting him if they can’t find a trade partner. Ryan Fowler of Bleacher Report even suggests that teams like the Chiefs or Panthers could take a chance on him with a league-minimum contract.
The Carolina Panthers, in particular, could be interested in adding Turner to their roster. The team has focused most of their offseason efforts on improving their offense, leaving their defense lacking in depth. With Brian Burns traded to the Giants, the Panthers could use a young edge defender like Turner to bolster their defense. While Turner may not be a long-term solution, he could provide some much-needed depth at the position.
It’s true that Turner has yet to live up to his first-round pedigree, but it’s too early to write him off completely. The Panthers’ 2023 first-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah has also struggled as a rookie, so having Turner as a backup plan could be a smart move for the team. A change of scenery and coaching staff could potentially unlock Turner’s full potential and turn him into a valuable asset for the Panthers.
While the future is uncertain for Payton Turner, one thing is clear – he still has the potential to succeed in the NFL. Teams like the Chiefs and Panthers could take a chance on him and see if they can turn him into a diamond in the rough. Only time will tell what lies ahead for Turner as he navigates the ups and downs of his professional football career.
As the saga of Payton Turner continues to unfold, one thing is for sure – his fate hangs in the balance as the NFL offseason progresses. Fans will have to stay tuned to see where he lands next and if he can finally live up to his first-round potential. The clock is ticking for Turner, but there may still be hope for a bright future ahead in the NFL.
(Main Photo: Kyle Terada – USA Today Sports)
