In 31 days, the New Orleans Saints will host the Arizona Cardinals to begin their 2025 regular season. Safety Jordan Howden has worn No. 31 with New Orleans for the previous two seasons. In fact, Howden’s tenure is tied for the longest of any player to wear No. 31 in franchise history. Here is a look at the full list.
Saints’ History of No. 31
CB Richard Newsome (2001)
CB Pierson Prioleau (2009-10)
CB Desmond Trufant (2021)
S Jordan Howden (2023-current)
September 7, 2008; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints corner back Aaron Glenn (31) looks to stop Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Joey Galloway (84) during the third quarter at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. New Orleans defeated Tampa Bay 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
Jim Taylor was the first player to suit up in a No. 31 jersey for New Orleans and also the marquee name in the franchise’s inaugural season. Taylor is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but for his achievements with Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers for nine seasons before joining the Saints. In his only year as a Saint, his last in the NFL, Taylor rushed for a team-high 390 yards and 2 touchdowns.
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After Taylor, there wouldn’t be another player to wear No. 31 in New Orleans for 34 years until 2001 when Richard Newsome did it. In the 24 years since, 12 players have donned the No. 31 uniform. Only two of those 12 have worn it for more than two years, assuming that Howden makes this year’s squad, with eight being with the Saints one year or less. Aaron Glenn is the most recognizable name of that group. Glenn was a star defensive back for the Jets, Texans, and Cowboys before spending the last season (4 games) of a 15-year career with the Saints. Glenn actually spent more time with New Orleans, five years, as a defensive coach than he did as a player.
Sep 7, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) fumbles the ball after a hit by New Orleans Saints free safety Jairus Byrd (31) in the first half of their game at the Georgia Dome. The Saints recovered the ball in the end zone. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Jairus Byrd was one of the only two out of the 13 players to wear No. 31 that did it over two years. However, his three years as a Saint were three too long. Byrd was brought in as a high-priced free agent during the 2014 offseason. Injuries kept him out of 12 games that first year and he proved to be an overpriced liability when he was on the field. Byrd played 33 games with New Orleans, tied for the most of anyone to wear 31 for the franchise. One of the worst free agent signings in team history, Byrd had just 3 interceptions and 8 passes broken up while averaging 52 tackles per year while with New Orleans.
Defensive back Chris Banjo didn’t make much of a defensive impact in his two years with the Saints. Unlike a waste of a roster space like Byrd, Banjo was a good special teams contributor over his two years and games with the team. His 32 games wearing No. 31 is third in team history. In 2021 and 2022, four players combined for just 16 games in the 31 jersey. Desmond Trufant and David Johnson were washed-up veterans by the time they got to the Saints, while Bryce Thompson and Eno Benjamin were simply not able to jump-start their careers.
Jul 30, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints safety Jordan Howden (31) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Of the 13 Saints to wear 31, only Jordan Howden was drafted by New Orleans. A Round 5 choice in the 2023 NFL draft from the Minnesota Golden Gophers, Howden has been either erratic or a non-factor during his first two seasons. However, his 33 games has him tied with Byrd for the most in the 31 jersey and on the cusp of passing him in the season opener. Assuming he makes the team, Howden will need to improve his performance for a defense in need of playmakers. Over his first two seasons, Howden has 2 interceptions, a sack, a forced fumble, and has allowed a 67.4% completion percentage when targeted in man coverage.
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This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 31 days until Saints season opener: Every player to wear No. 31