Dennis Allen, head coach of the New Orleans Saints, said on Monday that he and Marshon Lattimore had recently communicated and that things were “moving forward” with the cornerback’s prospective return to the team.
An indication #Saints star CB Marshon Lattimore with move forward with New Orleans after an offseason of trade speculation… https://t.co/5WXDW9i60t
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 20, 2024
The Saints selected the 28-year-old defensive back with the 11th overall choice in the 2017 NFL Draft, and he made his first Pro Bowl that season, finishing with a career-high five interceptions and collecting AP Defensive Rookie of the Year accolades as well. Lattimore received three additional Pro Bowl invitations in 2019, 2020, and 2021 before signing a five-year, $97.6 million contract deal with New Orleans in September 2021.
He suffered a lacerated kidney in Week 5 of the 2022 season and did not return until Week 17, concluding the year with a career-low seven games played. Lattimore was placed on injured reserve in November due to an ankle ailment and featured in only ten games, recording eight passes defended and one interception.
The Saints and the Ohio State product reworked his contract in January, converting $13.7 million of his 2024 salary into an option bonus, freeing up $11 million of cap space, according to Spotrac.
Lattimore is expected to earn a base salary of $1.2 million in 2024.
According to ESPN’s anticipated depth chart for New Orleans, Lattimore will play opposite 2021 third-round pick Paulson Adebo, alongside second-year safety Jordan Howden and three-time Pro Bowler Tyrann Mathieu.