New Orleans wasted no time addressing the sudden void left in the secondary.
Following the unexpected retirement of future Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Tyrann Mathieu, the New Orleans Saints are signing former Indianapolis Colts S Julian Blackmon, per Ian Rapoport.
The #Saints have found their replacement for the Honey Badger, as they are signing #Colts FA S Julian Blackmon, sources say.
Tyrann Mathieu’s retirement today led to a pre-camp roster move. pic.twitter.com/d24maKSHaJ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 23, 2025
Blackmon, just 26 years old, has been a cornerstone of the Colts’ secondary for the past five seasons. He’s recorded 10 interceptions, 9 pass breakups, 243 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble throughout his career—and perhaps most notably, 64 run stops. That’s significant for a Saints defense that allowed 4.9 yards per carry in 2024, the second-worst mark league-wide behind the Carolina Panthers’ 5.2.
At 6-foot, 202 pounds, Blackmon brings a noticeable difference in size compared to the 5-foot-9, 190-pound Mathieu. And while the Honey Badger’s impact is second to none from a leadership and teammate perspective, the Saints may have bolstered their defense with this signing—especially considering the inevitable decline of the 33-year-old.
Mathieu, an LSU legend and the Saints’ 2023 Man of the Year, didn’t miss a single game in his three seasons wearing the Black and Gold. His shoes will be nearly impossible to fill.
But Blackmon is an experienced veteran who can step in and immediately address one of the team’s biggest needs. I’m a big fan of the signing—are you?