Latest news with #RyanRamczyk
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New Orleans Saints legend Jimmy Graham planning to make his retirement official
The New Orleans Saints have had two of their players retire already during the 2025 offseason, with quarterback Derek Carr and offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk both hanging up their cleats. This is something the Saints may come to expect over the next few seasons, as their roster is still working through a transition from one of the oldest across the NFL to an average age, or even below. They will have a third retirement to add to the books this offseason as well, as legendary tight end Jimmy Graham is set to retire as a Saint, as was reported by team senior writer John DeShazier. Advertisement His six years of playing time with the Saints were absolutely and truly astounding, posting 392 receptions for 4,791 receiving yards and 55 touchdowns in only 91 games and 52 starts. Over his entire career, he had 719 receptions for 8,545 receiving yards and 89 touchdowns through 197 games played. Graham came back for his last season in 2023 and, even at 37 years old, was producing in the Red Zone, with six receptions, four of which were for touchdowns. As someone who was lucky enough to witness his last career touchdown on that mid-December slog-fest against the New York Giants, it is rather bittersweet, as you never know which reception or touchdown could be the player's last. He has plenty to do outside of football, though, as many have already seen, including his recent completion of the Arctic Challenge, a love for flying, and so much more. Graham is a player who will no doubt be a Saints Hall of Famer and Ring of Honor member, as DeShazier mentioned. His case to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame is also a strong one, as he sits right around some other key inductees such as Charlie Sanders. It will be intriguing to see how that all plays out, but for now, it is time for him to just enjoy the good life. This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Jimmy Graham is the latest Saints star to plan retirement this summer
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 71
Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 71 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The New Orleans Saints sit 71 days before their opening game of the 2025 NFL season. New Orleans will take on the Arizona Cardinals at home to start this year, their 59th of NFL existence. Advertisement Wearing number 71 for the Saints is one of the team's major offseason acquisitions, rookie offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. A first round choice out of Texas, Banks is wearing a number worn to a tremendous standard in New Orleans for the last several years. Saints History of 71 Oct 15, 2017; New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk (71) blocks on a kick attempt against the Detroit Lions. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-Imagn Images • Dave McCormick, OT (1967) • Dick Anderson, OT (1967) • Willie Townes, DE (1970) • Faddie Tillman, DE (1972) • Paul Fersen, OT (1973-74) • Kurt Schumacher, OG (1975-77) • J.T. Taylor, OT (1978-81) • Petey Perot, OG (1985) • Casey Merrill, DE (1986) • Ken Kaplan, OT (1987) • Richard Cooper, OT (1990-95) • Fred Stokes, DE (1996) • Ricky Siglar, OT (1997-98) Advertisement • Spencer Folau, OT (2002-04) • Kendrick Clancy, DT (2007-09) • Charles Brown, OT (2010-13) • Kaleb Eulls, DT (2015) • Ryan Ramczyk, OT (2017-24) • Kelvin Banks Jr., OT (present) New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Richard Cooper (71) blocks against the Los Angeles Rams. Credit: Saints Wire/USA TODAY Offensive linemen McCormick and Anderson were the first to put on No. 71 for the Saints. Each played only two games during the inaugural New Orleans season of 1967. Townes was the first defensive player to suit up in 71, playing six games and contributing 1.5 sacks during his only year with the franchise in 1970. The first Saints draft choice to put on 71 was Paul Fersen. Selected in 14th round of the 1973 NFL Draft, Fersen was also the first to wear 71 for more than one season, albeit appearing in only four games over two years with the team. Advertisement Kurt Schumacher was selected in Round 1 of the 1975 NFL Draft by the Saints out of Ohio State. Schumacher played in 41 games with 16 starts over three years as a Saint, also becoming of six players to wear 71 for more than two years. Until the selection of Kelvin Banks 50 years later, Schumacher was also the highest drafted player by New Orleans to wear number 71. December 10, 2007; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle (71) Kendrick Clancy reaches to try to tackle Atlanta Falcons running back (28) Warrick Dunn. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine Imagn Images J.T. Taylor was a second round pick by New Orleans in the 1978 NFL Draft out of Missouri. Taylor stuck around longer than any other 71 for the Saints to date. In four years with New Orleans, he started all of his 57 game appearances. After Taylor came a string of three players to wear No. 71 through the 1980s. None of them lasted longer than a season with the team, combining to play only 11 games with 10 starts. Advertisement Undrafted Richard Cooper broke that string in 1990, then surprisingly winning a starting job the following season. Cooper was a fixture for three seasons at left tackle, then for two years at right tackle. He played 77 games as a Saint over six years with the team, starting 72 of those contests. Aug 25, 2013; New Orleans Saints tackle Charles Brown (71) lined up against the Houston Texans. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports Following Cooper there was another stretch of four New Orleans players to wear 71 over the next 15 years. Two of them, Folau and Clancy, played three years with the team. Clancy had 2.5 sacks and 6 tackles for loss in his 30 games while Folau started 20 of 46 games appearances. Charles Brown was a highly-touted second round draft choice out of USC in 2010. He was with the Saints for four years and played in 37 games with 22 starts, but never lived up to his collegiate hype or secured a starting role up front. Advertisement Ryan Ramczyk arrived to New Orleans as the last choice in Round 1 of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Wisconsin. The former Badgers standout started his rookie opener at left tackle, then was a fixture at right tackle for the remainder of his career. Sep 9, 2019; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) is blocked by New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk (71). Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-Imagn Images Ramczyk started 63 of 64 regular season games between 2017 and 2020, becoming one of the NFL's most dominant linemen. Knee issues started a decline in 2021, but Ramczyk still played at an elite level for 101 regular season outings in seven standout years with New Orleans. Ramczyk missed the 2024-25 before officially retiring this offseason. He may not find a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, despite his dominating performance. However, he has a sure place in the Saints Hall of Fame and is one of the best offensive linemen in franchise history. Advertisement Filling Ramczyk's formidable shoes in number 71 is now Banks. An All-American, three-time all-conference selection, and 2024 Outland Trophy Award winner at Texas, Banks is the projected starter at left tackle. Like Ramczyk in 2017, Banks will be expected to elevate the performance of the New Orleans offensive line and entire offense. Related: Star UFL Cornerback Added By Saints Among Friday Moves Related: Saints Make Roster Move At Running Back On Friday Related: Saints Sign Another Player To Their Tight End Position Related: Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 74 Related: Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 75 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 76 Related: Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 77 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 78 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
11-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Ranking the Saints' highest salary cap hits after Derek Carr, Ryan Ramczyk retirements
Ranking the Saints' highest salary cap hits after Derek Carr, Ryan Ramczyk retirements A couple of big retirements hit the New Orleans Saints' accounting books this month with both Derek Carr and Ryan Ramczyk stepping away from football. With those two contracts out of the way, which players now carry the highest salary cap hits on the team? It isn't as easy as saying "This guy has the biggest contract." The Saints always get creative in structuring deals and restructuring them in the years that follow so they can spread out the costs. It's a strategy that makes sense when the salary cap is going up and your team is competitive with a sure thing at quarterback. But the COVID years changed expectations for the cap, and the Saints never did find a worthy successor to Drew Brees. So now they're working to recover. And they're very close to cleaning up the books. The Saints have almost $30 million in salary cap space right now, despite accounting for nearly $77 million in dead money going to players no longer on the roster. The cap is rising again and they'll be on the other side of this thing sooner rather than later. With almost all of this year's salary cap gymnastics behind us, here's a look at their 15 highest cap hits in 2025: Taysom Hill: $17,986,500 Alvin Kamara: $10,061,471 Cameron Jordan: $9,775,000 Erik McCoy: $8,351,000 Demario Davis: $6,923,000 Chase Young: $6,842,000 Carl Granderson: $6,482,000 Chris Olave: $6,131,959 Tyrann Mathieu: $6,091,000 Cesar Ruiz: $5,866,000 Juwan Johnson: $5,245,000 Kelvin Banks Jr.: $5,042,045 Foster Moreau: $4,634,000 Trevor Penning: $4,500,146 Rashid Shaheed: $4,450,000 Something has to give with Hill's contract -- either another restructure, a pay cut, or some other arrangement. He's still recovering from a season-ending knee injury and the Saints aren't in a position to pay him that much money at this stage in his career. If he does plan on playing this season, they'll have to choose whether to take their lumps now or kick the can down the road a little further, knowing that Hill's contract ends after this season. It isn't an easy problem to solve.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New Orleans Saints Draft Picks Get Initial Jersey Numbers
The New Orleans Saints selected nine new players in the 2025 NFL Draft, concluded less than two weeks ago. On Wednesday, the Saints team website had all nine draft choices with a uniform number for the first time. Additionally, the uniform numbers of the team's offseason additions, along with a few veteran changes, were also included. 71 = Kelvin Banks Jr., OT (1st round) Texas Longhorns offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. (78) blocks Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer (33). Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Banks will wear the number last worn by recently retired OT Ryan Ramczyk, a first-round choice in the 2017 NFL Draft. Ramczyk had a decorated career of his own and will someday be inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame. Advertisement Banks, who wore number 71 with the Texas Longhorns, certainly has big shoes to fill. He's also a three-time All-Conference selection, two-time All-American, and the 2024 Outland Trophy Award winner. 6 = Tyler Shough, QB (2nd round) Louisville Cardinals quarterback Tyler Shough (9) throws a pass against the Pittsburgh Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images Former Saints punter Thomas Morstead, a fan favorite, openly gave permission for Shough to wear his number 6. The number was last worn by LB Willie Gay Jr. last season. If he wears number 6 into the regular season, Shough will become the first offensive player in Saints franchise history to don the jersey. Shough was the third quarterback selected in this year's draft. During his collegiate career, he wore number 12 at Oregon and Texas Tech and number 9 at Louisville. 91 = Vernon Broughton, DT (3rd round) Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Vernon Broughton (45) celebrates a quarterback sack against the Ohio State Buckeyes. © Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Defensive lineman Kendal Vickers last wore 91 for New Orleans last season. Most famously worn by Saints Hall of Fame DE Will Smith, 91 has been worn by five different New Orleans players since 2021. Advertisement Broughton wore number 45 during his Texas Longhorns career. The last notable Saint to wear 91 was DE Trey Hendrickson, from 2017 to 2020. 33 = Jonas Sanker, S (3rd round) Virginia Cavaliers safety Jonas Sanker (20) returns an interception against the Pittsburgh Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Running back Jordan Mims was the last to wear 33 for the Saints, donning it last season. The most notable New Orleans player to sport 33 was Tyrone Hughes, a Saints Hall of Fame kick returner and defensive back. Through his collegiate career with the Virginia Cavaliers, Sanker wore number 20. The last defensive back to wear 33 for the Saints was Saquon Hampton in 2019. 47 = Danny Stutsman, LB (4th round) Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Danny Stutsman (28) celebrates a play against the Texas Longhorn. © SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Linebacker Alex Anzalone was the last New Orleans player to wear 47 during a regular season game. Anzalone played for the Saints from 2017 to 2020. Advertisement Stutsman wore number 28 for all four years with the Oklahoma Sooners. If he wears 47 into the regular season, Stutsman would become just the third defensive player to wear that number for the Saints since 1993. 29 = Quincy Riley, CB (4th round) Louisville Cardinals defensive back Quincy Riley (3). Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images New Orleans wasted no time in handing over 29 to another player. Cornerback Paulson Adebo wore the number during his Saints career from 2021 to 2024. After departing as a free agent this offseason, 29 now gets passed to Riley. Outside of Adebo, the only other notable New Orleans players to wear 29 were running backs Chris Ivory and Khiry Robinson. Riley wore number 3 for three years with the Louisville Cardinals. Prior to that, he sported number 4 with the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders. 30 = Devin Neal, RB (6th round) Kansas Jayhawks running back Devin Neal (4) runs against the Baylor Bears. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images Safety Roderic Teamer last wore 30 for the Saints last season. Running backs Fred McAfee (2006) and Wayne Wilson (1979-1986) were the two most notable players to wear 30 for the Saints. Advertisement Neal wore number 4 during his four-year career with the Kansas Jayhawks. There hasn't been a New Orleans player to wear 30 for more than one year since running back Lynell Hamilton in 2008 and 2009. 80 = Moliki Matavao, TE (7th round) UCLA Bruins tight end Moliki Matavao (88) catches a pass against the Oregon Ducks. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images The most famous 80 in New Orleans history was TE Jimmy Graham, who wore it from 2010 to 2014 then got it back when he returned in 2023. Wideouts Jerome Pathon, Wesley Carroll, and Brett Perryman also made contributions under number 80 in team history. Matavao started his collegiate career wearing number 8 at Oregon. After transferring to UCLA, he's sported 88 for two years. Saints fans can only hope that the athletic Matavao has even close to the same success Graham's 80 had for the offense. 40 = Fadil Diggs, Edge (7th round) Texas A&M defensive lineman Fadil Diggs (10) during a against Tennessee on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. © Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK One of the most famous plays in Saints franchise history was made by a 40, when FB Brian Milne recovered a fumble against the Rams to preserve the team's first ever playoff win. Cornerback Delvin Breaux, wearing number 40, also had a standout two seasons for the Saints in 2014 and 2015. Advertisement Diggs wore number 10 throughout his college career at both Texas A&M and Syracuse. He'll be the first to wear 40 since LB Chase Hansen did it in 2022. Uniform Numbers for Saints Offseason Additions Dec 18, 2016; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) scores a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images 10 = Brandin Cooks, WR 13 = Velus Jones, RB/WR 21 = Justin Reid, S 54 = Jonah Williams, DE 74 = Dillon Radunz, G 88 = Jack Stoll, TE 91 = Davon Godchaux, DT 98 = Chris Rumph II, DE It's also worth noting that second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler is currently listed as number 2 on the Saints website. Rattler wore number 18 as a rookie last season. Cooks gets the number 10 back that he wore when starting his career with New Orleans from 2014 to 2016. Advertisement Related: Saints Draft Pick Tyler Shough Among Favorites For 2025 NFL Rookie Of The Year Related: Why Saints Drafting Of Kelvin Banks Jr. Made Sense Related: Third-Round Choice Vernon Broughton May Be Just What The Saints Needed For Their Defense Related: Syracuse Draft Choice Fadil Diggs May Fill A Critical Role For The Saints Related: What Kansas Draft Choice Devin Neal Adds To Saints Offense Related: How Louisville Draft Pick Quincy Riley Fills A Saints Need
USA Today
19-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Wisconsin Badger, NFL All-Pro offensive tackle announces retirement
Former Wisconsin Badger, NFL All-Pro offensive tackle announces retirement Saints right tackle Ryan Ramczyk announced his retirement from the NFL. Ramczyk has been battling knee problems and hasn't played since 2023. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 18, 2025 Former Wisconsin and current New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk announced his retirement from the NFL on Thursday. The former First-Team All-Pro (2019) offensive tackle retires after eight NFL seasons, all with the Saints. He was the team's first-round pick (32 overall) in the 2017 NFL draft -- the last former Badger to go in the first round. He started 101 games and played 6,506 snaps over that time, plus earned two Second-Team All-Pro nods (2018, 2020) in addition to the mentioned first-team distinction in 2019. Ramczyk has been dealing with a significant knee injury over the last year, an injury that held him out of the entire 2024 season. The standout offensive tackle transferred to Wisconsin before the 2015 campaign after two years at UW-Stevens Point. His college resume is highlighted by a breakout 2016 campaign as Wisconsin's left tackle. He started all 14 games for the Badgers that season, helping to lead an offense that averaged 28.4 points and 203.1 rushing yards per game. He concluded that season with a First-Team All-America selection. Ramczyk's retirement means another former Badger standout is now gone from the NFL level. Notables still in the league include Andrew Van Ginkel, T.J. Watt, T.J. Edwards, Zack Baun, Jonathan Taylor, Russell Wilson, Jake Ferguson, Tyler Biadasz, Leo Chenal and Keeanu Benton. Several Badgers hope to join that list next week when the 2025 NFL draft takes place in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Three currently project to be selected during the three-day event, with many others likely in the mix as undrafted free agents. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
