Pete Werner

Career StatsB-

Year	Team	GP	Tkl	Sacks	INT
Career		73	408	2.5	1
2025		17	81	2.0	0
2024		13	92	0.0	0
2023		16

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Saints struck a fair deal with Pete Werner's three-year, $22.5M extension, earning a C+ CVI that reflects solid value for a reliable linebacker. At $7.5M AAV, New Orleans is paying appropriate compensation for a rotational player who has carved out a consistent role in their defense without breaking into true starter territory. The 25-year-old Werner is entering his prime years, giving the Saints reasonable upside on this mid-tier investment as he continues developing within their system. With $11.2M guaranteed across three years, the contract structure provides manageable risk while securing depth at a critical position where injuries frequently create opportunities for expanded roles. This represents smart roster building by New Orleans — not flashy, but the type of steady veteran presence that championship defenses are built on, paying market rate for a player who knows his role and executes it well.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Pete's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Pete Werner is a fifth-year linebacker for the New Orleans Saints, a 2021 second-round pick who has carved out a starting role across 73 career games. He earns a B- overall grade, reflecting a serviceable but unspectacular presence at the second level. Werner profiles as a solid starter on a rebuilding Saints defense rather than a standout playmaker. His strongest calling card is tackle production — Werner posts 4.76 tackles per game, more than double the NFL average of 2.19, signaling reliable instincts and consistent effort in pursuit. His pass defense is a quiet strength too, with 0.29 pass deflections per game against an NFL average of 0.18. However, his pass-rush impact remains a concern; his 0.12 sacks per game trails the NFL average of 0.15, and his 0.24 tackles for loss per game slightly undercuts the league average of 0.27, suggesting Werner wins with volume rather than disruption. Season trends tell a cautious story — Werner graded C- in 2023, C in 2024, and C again in 2025, showing stability but no meaningful upward climb. At 27, he's entering the window where players either break through or settle into a role-player ceiling. Werner's trajectory points toward a long career as a reliable starter, but unlocking more consistent backfield disruption is the key developmental marker to watch heading into 2026.

How Pete Compares at the Position

Pete Werner ranks 91st of 338 graded linebackers by performance. That slots Pete between Bradley Chubb (B-) just ahead and Anthony Walker Jr. (B-) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Pete Werner enters 2026 as a dependable defensive anchor for the Saints, with media coverage emphasizing his consistency and reliability rather than flashy production. The linebacker's contract restructure and expanded leadership role alongside Kaden Elliss signal organizational confidence in his trajectory, positioning him as a cornerstone of New Orleans' defensive identity. While Werner's career statistics (2.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles) reflect a run-stopping, coverage-oriented linebacker rather than a pass-rush threat, recent headlines highlight his steady presence and clutch plays—exemplified by his fumble recovery against Carolina. Fan and media perception remains solidly positive within the context of a solid starter, with no controversy or performance concerns dampening expectations heading into the 2026 season. Werner's reputation is anchored in reliability and leadership rather than elite production, making him a respected but not celebrated figure in the broader NFL linebacker landscape.