Payton Turner‘s career has not gone according to plan to date, but the 2024 season could serve as a key turning point. The fourth-year Saints defensive end is healthy entering training camp. 
“I felt really good going into last year,” Turner said (via KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson). “Unfortunately, the first game I had that toe injury. I did have an offseason back procedure. I’m feeling good. I’m feeling healthy right now and I’m ready to get after it this year.”
The 25-year-old has been limited to just 15 games across his first three seasons with New Orleans. A shoulder injury as a rookie in addition to last year’s turf toe stalled his ability to carve out a key role along the edge. Turner has seen his defensive snap share drop with each passing season, and Cameron Jordan and Chase Young are positioned to hold starting roles in 2024.
Still, a strong rotational workload could have a significant financial impact for Turner. To little surprise, the Saints declined his 2025 fifth-year option this spring. Picking it up would have represented a $13.39MM commitment – a far more lucrative one than his production to date would justify. Instead, 2024 is a contract year as he looks to put together a healthy campaign and boost his free agent stock in the process.
Turner has totaled three sacks and 13 pressures so far, and increasing those totals could help him earn an extended stay with the Saints. Jordan has two years remaining on his deal, while Carl Granderson is on the books through 2027. Young took a one-year flier from New Orleans, making him (along with Tanoh Kpassagnon) a pending free agent.
New Orleans continued to invest along the edge via the draft by selecting Isaiah Foskey in the second round last year. He figures to remain in the team’s plans for at least the next few seasons, but whether or not that will be the case for Turner will be determined over the course of the coming campaign. A positive health update is an encouraging starting point in the latter’s case.