The New Orleans Saints have the challenge of replacing starting center Erik McCoy, and the team could turn to some veteran free agents.
Injuries are inevitable in the NFL. Unfortunately for the New Orleans Saints, one of their most valuable players has suffered one of those inevitable injuries. Starting center Erik McCoy sustained a groin injury in Week 3, and the injury requires a surgery that’s expected to sideline him for six to eight weeks.
That's a long time to be without a Pro Bowl center, who’s responsible for organizing the most important group on the field. The Saints already experienced how hard life without McCoy is during their Week 3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
While this is a devastating blow, New Orleans must make the necessary adjustments so the season won't go down the drain during McCoy’s absence. That means bringing in a lineman or two to either start or serve as a depth piece.
At this point of the season, players are available for a reason. However, many of them can still offer some value to a team. Here are three guys New Orleans should have in mind.
3. Saints can sign Trai Turner
Trai Turner is a five-time Pro Bowl lineman that’s now 31 years old. This year would be his 11th season in the league, and he has played with five teams in his career. His most recent team was actually the Saints, signing with New Orleans during the 2023 offseason. Unfortunately, he tore his quad shortly after signing and never took a snap with the team.
The veteran could get a second chance in New Orleans since the team needs help. He hasn’t appeared in a game since 2022, when he started 12 games for Washington at right guard. He has been a right guard his entire career, but New Orleans could put him at right or left depending on how things shake up.
2. Saints can sign Mason Cole
Mason Cole is just 28 years old and has been in the league since 2018. The center has played for the Arizona Cardinals, the Minnesota Vikings, and most recently, the Pittsburgh Steelers. In six seasons, he has started 73 games, playing in 94 total games.
While he was released by the Steelers in February of this year, he has a ton of starting center experience, and New Orleans bringing him in could allow Lucas Patrick to go back to left guard.
1. Saints can sign Mark Glowinski
Veteran guard Mark Glowinski is another option, and he has been around since 2015. Starting his career in Seattle, he played three years with the Seahawks, four with the Indianapolis Colts, and most recently, two with the New York Giants.
Glowinski has started 96 of the 124 games he’s played in, playing a big role in some really good offenses. In 2021, his work as a right guard led to Jonathan Taylor rushing for 1,811 yards and 18 touchdowns. New Orleans needs that kind of lineman that can carve out running lanes to open up the offense.
