One-hand snag by @God_Son80 🖐#Saints pic.twitter.com/S8YRcoXnfa
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) June 14, 2022
The Jarvis Landry signing was met with a lot of fanfare, but it’s important to set the homer goggles aside and appreciate the proud LSU Tigers alum for what he is: a reliable veteran with five Pro Bowl nods behind him. And while it’s too early to say anything too bold and outrageous, he’s looking like exactly what the New Orleans Saints were missing with Michael Thomas out of commission last year. Which makes the idea of them teaming up together even more appealing.
Landry has been a popular target for the Saints quarterbacks in minicamp practices, doing as much damage underneath coverage as further downfield. Sure-handed and physical at the catch point, he’s been a tough assignment for anyone to defend. Things will change once players put on their pads and start hitting in live contact, but this early success is encouraging to see. What’s also gratifying to see is Landry offering pointers to younger teammates like Deonte Harty. That’s something he’s done for years — NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill noted that Landry shared feedback with Thomas when the latter was a fiery high school recruit.
This is what he Saints have been missing while Thomas was on the mend: an experienced playmaker who can take charge of the receiving corps. Last year’s receiving leaders (Marquez Callaway, Harty, and Tre’Quan Smith) didn’t have the benefit of extensive starting reps, and the older players in the unit (Ty Montgomery, Kenny Stills, Chris Hogan, and Kevin White) didn’t do much to consistently threaten opposing defenses. Landry brings both traits as a leader and a trustworthy weapon to the table.
And it’s in his interest to make the most of this opportunity. Having signed a one-year deal with the Saints paying out just $3 million, Landry can double his money through incentives written into his contract. Catching 55 passes earns a $250,000 bonus, which can be outdone through a $500,000 incentive for 65 receptions, but a full $1 million gets uncorked should he total 75 catches. Another $500,000 can be earned with 5 touchdown receptions, as well as by playing 48.5% or more of the team’s snaps on offense.
Additionally, Landry can win $500,000 more should he snag 60 receptions (or more) while the Saints secure a playoff berth. A trip to the postseason while he reaches 607 receiving yards brings in $500,000 more. If Landry can meet all of those incentives, he’ll double his money and total $3 million through incentives.
In summary: to max out his incentives Landry would need to log 75 or more receptions for 607 or more receiving yards, scoring 5 or more touchdown catches, while playing 48.5% of snaps, should New Orleans get back into the postseason. That would make everyone happy, Landry especially given he’s playing on a one-year deal with greener pastures ahead in 2023 free agency.
Not to pour cold water over everything, but it’s going to take a lot more than some acrobatic — and unguarded — catches in June for Landry to go the distance. He’ll need to continue to develop chemistry with his teammates and find his niche in the passing game next to Thomas and first-round rookie Chris Olave. But it’s tough to not feel encouraged by how well things have started off. Let’s be mindful of how early it is, but so far Landry’s NFL homecoming has been as-advertised. A lot is riding on whether his next act can keep up the pace.
