Terrell Burgess

Career StatsD

Year	Team	GP	INT	PD	Tkl
Career		58	—	4	76
2025		16	0	3	22
2024		2	0	0	1
2023		12

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Performance versus salary tier earns Terrell Burgess a D+ Contract Value Index, with cap structure shaping the verdict. The 2025 season saw Burgess log 22 tackles across 16 games—minimal counting stats that align with his role as a backup safety and special teams anchor rather than a three-down contributor. At $1.17M AAV on a one-year deal, Burgess occupies the replacement-level safety market, a tier where teams expect depth insurance and situational value rather than defensive production. The Saints re-signing a 27-year-old sixth-year veteran to this salary reflects institutional continuity and proven special teams reliability, not a bet on defensive impact; his D performance grade confirms he's a role player, not an upgrade. Media and fan consensus frames this as straightforward housekeeping—smart roster management that preserves cap flexibility for more impactful defensive additions while maintaining proven depth at the position. Given New Orleans' recent activity adding linebackers and defensive linemen while managing roster churn, Burgess fills a clearly defined niche: a known commodity on a short-term, low-cost contract that carries minimal cap risk and allows the franchise to address bigger defensive needs elsewhere.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the D band — a quick read on where Terrell's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

The D performance grade on Terrell Burgess reflects how his statistical baseline holds against the S field. In the 2025 season, Burgess logged 22 tackles across 16 games—a modest counting stat that underscores his limited impact as a safety. His durability is a bright spot; he remained available for every game, a testament to health and consistency. However, the tackle total itself signals that Burgess operates as a depth piece rather than a snap-heavy contributor, lacking the high-volume production expected of even average starters at the position. The mediaFraming confirms this assessment: he's valued primarily as a reliable special teams contributor and backup safety who provides system familiarity and depth insurance, not as a defensive playmaker. At 27 years old and in his sixth season as a pro, Burgess has settled into his role as a veteran reserve—useful for continuity and stability in the secondary, but not a player tasked with driving defensive production. For a Saints team sitting at 6-11 and needing meaningful upgrades across the defense, Burgess represents exactly what the front office intends: a steady, unspectacular depth piece that lets New Orleans redirect resources toward more impactful additions elsewhere.

How Terrell Compares at the Position

Terrell Burgess ranks 160th of 196 graded safeties by performance. That slots Terrell between Dante Trader Jr. (D) just ahead and Mike Brown (D) just behind.

Fan Sentiment

The media and fanbase view Terrell Burgess's return to New Orleans as textbook roster management rather than a needle-moving acquisition. With a **B+** sentiment grade reflecting broad approval, the safety is universally praised as a reliable special teams contributor who brings valuable institutional knowledge to the Saints' defensive depth chart. Beat writers consistently frame this as smart housekeeping, emphasizing Burgess's proven special teams production and familiarity with the system over any expectation of defensive impact. The lack of controversy or excitement around the signing signals that fans appreciate the move's practicality while understanding it represents depth insurance rather than a significant upgrade. This steady, unspectacular signing allows New Orleans to check the safety backup box while preserving resources for more impactful defensive additions elsewhere on the roster.