The New Orleans Saints’ 2024 season started with hope but has quickly spiraled into a six-game losing streak, putting the playoffs nearly out of reach. With a 2-6 record heading into Week 9, many teams might consider rebuilding or selling assets at the trade deadline, but not Saints GM Mickey Loomis. Loomis’ recent comments reveal that, despite the sinking season, he doesn’t intend to offload players just to get “undervalued offers,” as he put it in a statement to reporters Tuesday.
Loomis’ stance, however, may not mean the Saints will be entirely silent at the trade deadline. While he resists a full roster blow-up, there is still potential for strategic trades that could set the team up for a brighter future without compromising the current roster.
One logical trade option? Defensive end Chase Young. The former second-overall draft pick, who joined the Saints in the offseason, currently sits behind Cameron Jordan and Carl Granderson on the depth chart. While Young is a promising asset, his limited role makes him an ideal candidate for a trade that could bring in valuable draft capital. Plus, Young has proven adaptable to mid-season trades, having made a successful move to the 49ers from the Commanders just last year.
If the Saints were to trade Young, they’d likely fetch a solid return, potentially another third-round pick — comparable to what the Commanders received last season. This move would allow the Saints to gain flexibility, as Young is on a one-year contract, giving his future team options once the season wraps.
For now, though, it appears that Loomis is holding his cards close, refusing to sell the season out of desperation.
