With persistent rumors swirling that the New Orleans Saints could trade Marshon Lattimore, head coach Dennis Allen figured he should talk to the star cornerback.
Allen told reporters on Tuesday that he had a conversation “two or three weeks ago” with Lattimore to discuss the trade rumors.
“I just thought it was something we needed to communicate,” Allen said, via ESPN’s Katherine Terrell. “There’s been a lot of talk outside our building about trades and things of that nature. And so I just felt like it was probably time that he and I had a conversation. … It was a positive conversation and we’re looking forward to getting him out when he’s here and working with him.”
When asked point-blank on Tuesday if Lattimore would be on the roster in 2024, Allen responded, “Yeah.”
Rumors of a potential trade surfaced when the Saints reworked Lattimore’s contract — converting the base salary into an option bonus, which makes a trade easier. Since then, New Orleans has rebuffed the trade notion, but chatter started once again after the second-round trade-up during the draft to select DB Kool-Aid McKinstry last month.
Lattimore is not at OTAs, which isn’t unusual for the veteran. He attended mandatory minicamp last year.
“I wouldn’t say that’s been uncommon since probably about 2020,” Allen said of Lattimore not participating in OTAs. “I know he’s working hard. I know he’s getting himself in the best shape he can get into.”
Lattimore currently sits as the sixth-highest-paid corner in the NFL on a contract signed in 2021. He’s missed 17 games the past two seasons after earning three consecutive Pro Bowls. Given the salary cap implications, if the Saints were to trade the veteran, a deal likely wouldn’t happen until after June 1. If Allen and the Saints brass are to be believed, such a deal won’t happen.
