Homegrown Player Inks Deal with Saints

Jason Watson Jr • July 25, 2023

New Orleans, LA- Veteran offensive guard Trai Turner has signed a new one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints.


One day after visiting with the organization, the New Orleans native made his homecoming to the Crescent City official. Turner grew up in New Orleans and is a former star of St. Augustine. After high school, the star player followed fellow Purple Knight Tyrann Mathieu to LSU, where they played collegiately.


Turner got drafted by Carolina in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He was a consistent and impactful piece to the Panther offense; it showed with making every pro bowl from 2015-2019. Since then, Trai has bounced around the league playing stints with the Chargers, Steelers, and Commanders in successional years.

The addition of Turner adds depth to the Saints’ rotation in the trenches up front. His signing marks back-to-back seasons in which New Orleans acquires a player with roots in the city and playing time as a Tiger after bringing in Mathieu last offseason.


Turner and Mathieu have now been teammates at every level of football since playing on Friday night lights. A homecoming in its purest form will look to bolster the positional group as Turner sets his sights on protecting his new quarterback.


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By Chrissy Smith • December 3, 2025
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