The 2020 season was the New Orleans Saints' 54th season in the National Football League (NFL), their 45th playing home games at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, and their 14th under head coach Sean Payton. Although they failed to match their 13–3 records from 2018 and 2019, the Saints defended their NFC South title for the fourth consecutive year following a Week 16 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. After beating the San Francisco 49ers in Week 10, they won six straight games for the fourth consecutive season. With a Week 13 win over the Atlanta Falcons, the Saints clinched a franchise record fourth consecutive playoff appearance. After Week 17 victory over the division rival, Carolina Panthers, the Saints became the first NFC South member to sweep the division in its history. During the Wildcard round against the Chicago Bears of the 2020–21 NFL playoffs, the Saints made history as one of the first two teams to air in a post-season football game on Nickelodeon, a primarily children-related network. The Saints would defeat the Bears 21–9, advancing to the divisional round, where they were defeated by division rival and eventual Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 30–20, despite having swept them in the regular season.

This season would also be the final of longtime quarterback Drew Brees, as he would announce his retirement on March 14, 2021, after twenty seasons of playing in the NFL, with fifteen of those with the Saints.

Roster changes

Free agency

Unrestricted PositionPlayer2020 teamDate signedContractMLBStephone AnthonyArizona Cardinals (PS)November 16, 20201 year $84kCBEli AppleCarolina PanthersMay 28, 20201 year, $3 millionCBJohnson BademosiNew Orleans SaintsApril 23, 20201 year, $1.1875 millionSSVonn BellCincinnati BengalsMarch 25, 20203 years, $18 millionQBDrew BreesNew Orleans SaintsMarch 17, 20202 years, $50 millionQBTeddy BridgewaterCarolina PanthersMarch 17, 20203 years, $63 millionWRTed Ginn Jr.Chicago BearsApril 30, 20201 year, $1.1875 millionLBA. J. KleinBuffalo BillsMarch 16, 20203 years, $18 millionOLBJosh MartinGPatrick OmamehNew Orleans SaintsMay 14, 20201 year, $1.1875 millionGAndrus PeatNew Orleans SaintsMarch 20, 20205 years, $57.5 millionDENoah SpenceNew Orleans SaintsMarch 23, 20201 year, $910kSD. J. SwearingerNew Orleans SaintsMarch 22, 20201 year, $1.1 millionMLBManti Te'oChicago Bears (PS)October 20, 20201 year, $132kRBDwayne WashingtonNew Orleans SaintsApril 16, 20201 year, $1.0475 millionCBP. J. WilliamsNew Orleans SaintsApril 2, 20201 year, $2 million

Restricted PositionPlayer2020 teamDate signedContractWRAustin CarrNew Orleans SaintsMay 7, 20201 year, $825kCBJustin HardeeNew Orleans SaintsMarch 20, 20201 year, $1.5 millionQBTaysom HillNew Orleans SaintsMarch 16, 2020Assigned 1st Round Tender, 1 year, $4.641 millionCCameron TomNew Orleans SaintsApril 9, 20201 year, $887.5k

Exclusive Rights FA PositionPlayer2020 teamDate signedContractLBColton JumperWRKeith KirkwoodCarolina PanthersMarch 19, 20201 year, $800k

Signings PositionPlayer2019 teamDate signedContractSMalcolm JenkinsPhiladelphia EaglesMarch 18, 20204 years, $32 millionFBMichael BurtonWashington RedskinsMarch 18, 20201 year, $1.0475 millionWREmmanuel SandersSan Francisco 49ersMarch 20, 20202 years, $16 millionDBDeatrick NicholsHouston Roughnecks (XFL)March 23, 20201 year, $675kQBJameis WinstonTampa Bay BuccaneersApril 28, 20201 year, $1.1 millionDTMargus HuntIndianapolis ColtsApril 30, 20201 year, $1.05 millionRBTy MontgomeryNew York JetsMay 15, 20201 year, $1.0475 millionOLBAnthony ChickilloPittsburgh SteelersMay 21, 20201 year, $1.0475 millionTJames HurstBaltimore RavensMay 27, 20201 year, $1.0475 millionOLBNigel BradhamPhiladelphia EaglesJuly 30, 20201 year, TBCWRBennie FowlerNew York GiantsJuly 30, 20201 year, $910kTEEthan WolfLos Angeles RamsAugust 19, 20201 year, $610kCBKemon HallMinnesota VikingsAugust 25, 20201 year, $610kLBWynton McManisCalgary Stampeders (CFL)August 28, 20201 year, $610kDEAnthony LanierKansas City ChiefsAugust 29, 20201 year, $825kDET. J. CarterArizona CardinalsAugust 29, 20201 year, $610kCBKen CrawleyPractice SquadOctober 12, 20201 year, $910kWRTommylee LewisPractice SquadOctober 31, 20201 year, $910kQBTrevor SiemianTennessee TitansNovember 21, 20201 year, $910kGPatrick OmamehLas Vegas RaidersDecember 15, 20201 year, $1.05 millionWRJake KumerowBuffalo BillsDecember 25, 20201 year, $750k

Practice squad additions PositionPlayerLast teamDate signedContractDEAnthony ZettelMinnesota VikingsSeptember 19, 20201 year, $192kCBGrant HaleyNew York GiantsSeptember 20, 20201 year, $134.4kCBKen CrawleyArizona CardinalsSeptember 28, 20201 year, $168kWRMalik HenryIndianapolis ColtsSeptember 30, 20201 year, $117.6kWRTommylee LewisCarolina PanthersOctober 8, 20201 year, $156kDEWill ClarkeDetroit LionsOctober 22, 20201 year, $132kDTChristian RingoCincinnati BengalsNovember 11, 20201 year, $96kDTRyan GlasgowNew England PatriotsNovember 17, 20201 year, $84kWRJake LampmanTampa Bay Vipers (XFL)December 23, 20201 year, $16.8kLSJohn DenneyMiami DolphinsJanuary 11, 20211 year, TBCKBlair WalshAtlanta FalconsJanuary 11, 20211 year, TBC

Released/waived

Position Player 2020 team Date releasedGLarry WarfordN/A (Opt-out)May 8, 2020TEMitchell LoewenMay 15, 2020WRTim WhiteMay 28, 2020DEGus CumberlanderAugust 2, 2020WRMaurice HarrisAugust 2, 2020WRKrishawn HoganTennessee TitansAugust 2, 2020SChris JohnsonAugust 2, 2020WRTommylee LewisCarolina PanthersAugust 2, 2020GAdrian MageeAugust 2, 2020RBTaquan MizzellNew York Giants (PS)August 2, 2020CBDeatrick NicholsMiami DolphinsAugust 2, 2020FBRicky OrtizAugust 2, 2020DTTaylor StallworthIndianapolis ColtsAugust 3, 2020OLBNigel BradhamDenver Broncos (PS)August 24, 2020CBTino EllisMiami Dolphins (PS)August 26, 2020OLDarrin PauloDenver BroncosAugust 29, 2020LBJoe BachiePhiladelphia EaglesSeptember 5, 2020WREmmanuel ButlerSeptember 5, 2020WRAustin CarrResignedSeptember 5, 2020DET. J. CarterSeptember 5, 2020OLBAnthony ChickilloDenver BroncosSeptember 5, 2020OLBAndrew DowellPractice SquadSeptember 5, 2020DTMario Edwards Jr.Chicago BearsSeptember 5, 2020WRBennie FowlerResignedSeptember 5, 2020TEGarrett GriffinResignedSeptember 5, 2020CBKemon HallPractice SquadSeptember 5, 2020WRLil'Jordan HumphreyPractice SquadSeptember 5, 2020DTMargus HuntResignedSeptember 5, 2020WRJuwan JohnsonResignedSeptember 5, 2020RBTony JonesPractice SquadSeptember 5, 2020LBWynton McManisSeptember 5, 2020GPatrick OmamehLas Vegas RaidersSeptember 5, 2020OLJordan StecklerNew England Patriots (PS)September 5, 2020TETommy StevensPractice SquadSeptember 5, 2020OLCalvin ThrockmortonPractice SquadSeptember 5, 2020CCameron TomPractice SquadSeptember 5, 2020CBKeith WashingtonPractice SquadSeptember 5, 2020TEEthan WolfPractice SquadSeptember 5, 2020DEAnthony LanierSeptember 11, 2020FSSaquan HamptonNew York JetsSeptember 14, 2020CWill ClappResignedSeptember 26, 2020CWill ClappResignedOctober 8, 2020DTMargus HuntCincinnati BengalsOctober 12, 2020WRTommylee LewisResignedNovember 3, 2020OLBChase HansenPractice SquadNovember 24, 2020TEGarrett GriffinPractice SquadDecember 19, 2020QBTrevor SiemianPractice SquadDecember 19, 2020WRTommylee LewisPractice SquadDecember 24, 2020GPatrick OmamehKansas City Chiefs (PS)December 24, 2020WRJake KumerowPractice SquadJanuary 9, 2021WRAustin CarrPractice SquadJanuary 11, 2021

Practice squad releases

Position Player 2020 team Date releasedCBKemon HallDallas Cowboys (PS)September 19, 2020WRMalik HenryOctober 10, 2020TETommy StevensCarolina PanthersNovember 10, 2020DEWill ClarkeNovember 17, 2020DTChristian RingoJanuary 11, 2021DEAnthony ZettelPractice SquadJanuary 11, 2021LSJohn DenneyPractice SquadJanuary 13, 2021WRJake LampmanJanuary 13, 2021KBlair WalshPractice SquadJanuary 13, 2021WRTommylee LewisJanuary 16, 2021DEAnthony ZettelJanuary 16, 2021

Contract extensions PositionPlayerDate signedContractDTDavid OnyemataMarch 16, 20203 years, $27 millionLSZach WoodMarch 16, 20204 years, $4.78 millionCBJanoris JenkinsMarch 25, 20202 years, $16.75 millionQBTaysom HillApril 26, 20202 years, $20.941 million

Retirements PositionPlayerDate retiredFBZach LineJanuary 15, 2020

Player trades PositionPlayerFrom/toDate tradedForLBKwon AlexanderSan Francisco 49ersNovember 2, 2020Kiko Alonso, 2021 Conditional Fifth-round selection to 49ersLBKiko AlonsoSan Francisco 49ersNovember 2, 2020Kwon Alexander, 2021 Conditional Fifth-round selection to 49ers

Draft

2020 New Orleans Saints Draft Round Selection Player Position College 1 24 Cesar Ruiz C Michigan 3 74 Zack Baun LB Wisconsin 3 105 Adam Trautman TE Dayton 7 240 Tommy Stevens QB Mississippi State Notes The Saints traded their second-round selection (No. 56 overall) to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for the Dolphins' 2019 second-round selection. The Saints traded their seventh-round selection, along with their 2019 fourth-round selection to the New York Giants in exchange for cornerback Eli Apple. The Saints traded their third-round selection (No. 88 overall) and their 2021 third-round selection to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for the Browns' 2020 third-round selection (No. 74 overall) and the Browns' seventh-round selection (No. 244 overall). The Saints traded their fourth-round selection (No. 130 overall), fifth-round selection (No. 169 overall), sixth-round selection (No. 203 overall) and their seventh-round selection (No. 244 overall) to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for the Vikings' 2020 third-round selection (No. 105 overall). The Saints traded their 2021 sixth-round selection to the Houston Texans in exchange for the Texans' 2020 seventh-round selection (No. 240 overall).

Undrafted free agent signings

PositionPlayerCollegeDate signedContractLBJoe BachieMichigan StateApril 25, 20203 years, $2.285 millionWRMarquez CallawayTennesseeApril 25, 20203 years, $2.295 millionDEGus CumberlanderOregonApril 25, 20203 years, $2.2865 millionCBTino EllisMarylandApril 25, 20203 years, $2.285 millionPBlake GillikinPenn StateApril 25, 20203 years, $2.285 millionWRJuwan JohnsonOregonApril 25, 20203 years, $2.295 millionRBTony JonesNotre DameApril 25, 20203 years, $2.285 millionOLDarrin PauloUtahApril 25, 20203 years, $2.285 millionDTMalcolm RoachTexasApril 25, 20203 years, $2.295 millionOLJordan StecklerNorthern IllinoisApril 25, 20203 years, $2.3 millionOTCalvin ThrockmortonOregonApril 25, 20203 years, $2.2975 millionCBKeith WashingtonWest VirginiaApril 25, 20203 years, $2.285 millionGAdrian MageeLSUApril 26, 20203 years, $2.285 million

Staff

Final roster

Preseason The Saints' preseason schedule was announced on May 7, but was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Week Date Opponent Venue Result 1 August 14 at Los Angeles Rams SoFi Stadium Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic 2 August 23 at Pittsburgh Steelers Heinz Field 3 August 29 Houston Texans Mercedes-Benz Superdome 4 September 3 Miami Dolphins Mercedes-Benz Superdome

Regular season

Schedule The Saints' 2020 schedule was announced on May 7.