The New Orleans Saints entered free agency when they signed linebacker Willie Gay. After adding veteran linebacker Khaleke Hudson on Thursday, the Saints were back in the same spot. Hudson is going to New Orleans on a one-year contract after playing for the Washington Commanders for the previous four years.
During his four seasons with Washington, Hudson—who was selected in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Michigan—was an important member of the special teams and a reliable depth linebacker.
On the other hand, he became a starter in eight of the 17 games he participated in the previous season. He had 74 total tackles at the end of the year, five for a loss, and a sack. In the final four weeks of the season, he also had the most tackles.
Saints acquire Khaleke Hudson, a linebacker.
Washington’s first-round selection in the 2020 Draft, Chase Young, will now be reunited with his draft partner Hudson. The Saints signed Young earlier in the summer in the hopes that he would strengthen their pass rush. The talented linebacker group that needs to get better against the run and the pass will have Hudson joining them.
The Saints gave up 119.9 rushing yards per game in 2023, which ranked 22nd in the NFL. With the arrival of Chase Young and the linebackers, perhaps that will change. Pro Bowler Demario Davis is almost guaranteed to start, therefore Pete Werner’s starting spot will be contested by Willie Gay and Khaleke Hudson. It’s reasonable to expect that each of the four linebackers will play.
This won’t be the first time Saints supporters meet Hudson as he gets to know New Orleans and the team. When Hudson tackled Alvin Kamara hard during a 2021 game against New Orleans, the star player was knocked back off his feet during a punt return. Now, Hudson will attempt to provide the Saints with those kinds of hits.