The New Orleans Saints are reportedly “working to sign” former Indianapolis Colts’ free agent safety Julian Blackmon, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Fowler adds that no deal is done between the two sides, but Blackmon and the Saints have been in talks.
This potential move by the Saints comes on the heels of Tyrann Mathieu announcing that he was retiring, and Blackmon being one of the top safety options still available.
Blackmon was a third-round pick by the Colts in the 2020 NFL draft and has spent his career with the team up to this point.
The #Saints are working to sign free agent safety Julian Blackmon as a Honey Badger replacement, per sources.
Nothing done but sides have been in talks. With Tyrann Mathieu retiring, Blackmon is one of the best safeties still available. pic.twitter.com/0ZmPl6l67g
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 23, 2025
In 2023, Blackmon put together a career year as the Colts’ strong safety. However, after testing the free agent market during the 2024 offseason, Blackmon ended up back with the Colts on a one-year deal.
Blackmon would play through a shoulder injury for much of last season, an injury that forced him to move from strong safety to free safety to reduce contact.
Production-wise, Blackmon would take a step back. In part, that can come with the territory when not being as close to the line of scrimmage, but one would also think the shoulder injury played some sort of role as well.
Back in March, the Colts signed Cam Bynum in free agency. He will start along with Nick Cross. Rodney Thomas, Hunter Wohler, and potentially others will be competing for the third safety role during training camp.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Former Indianapolis Colts’ S Julian Blackmon ‘in talks’ with Saints