Terrell Burgess had been out of football for almost a year when he received a call from the New Orleans Saints this past offseason.

Having coached the safety when Burgess was a rookie, defensive coordinator Brandon Staley wasn’t concerned about the inactivity. He wasn’t bothered by how Burgess had gotten “lost,” bouncing from team to team since they last worked together on the Los Angeles Rams. Staley instead thought back to his initial impression of the former 2020 third-round pick.

Staley remembered a versatile rookie with great coverage skills who easily fit in on one of the best defenses in college at Utah and then again for the league’s top-rated defense in Los Angeles.

“Sometimes, you just need a second chance at it,” Staley said. “And going to the right fit. … He was hungry. He was humble.”

Burgess’ second chance with Staley has led him to Sunday, when he’s set to start in place of an injured Justin Reid (knee) on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It’ll be just the sixth start of his career in 54 games, a journey that has now spanned five teams.

His opportunity, too, marks another way the Saints have had to adapt at safety this season. Originally, the Saints signed Reid to a three-year, $31.5 million deal and expected to pair him with Tyrann Mathieu. But once Mathieu unexpectedly retired before training camp, the Saints brought in veteran Julian Blackmon — who lasted just one game before suffering a season-ending injury that paved the way for rookie Jonas Sanker.

Burgess has been ready through it all.

Despite not making the team’s initial 53-man roster, the safety had a strong training camp that was slowed by his own hamstring injury. After joining the practice squad following cuts, Burgess didn’t have to wait long before he was signed to the active roster two weeks into the season.

Until the Miami game, when he replaced Reid, Burgess had played sparingly but always seemed to make a positive impact.

At the lectern this week, coach Kellen Moore said that’s a reflection of the veteran’s preparation. He pointed to Burgess’ lone snap two weeks ago against the Atlanta Falcons, when he broke up a pass on third down to force a punt. And how Burgess came off the bench for a pivotal pass breakup on a flea flicker in New Orleans’ Week 5 win over the New York Giants.

“Yeah, it’s a 53-man roster — we really saw him, viewed him as (player) 54 then,” Moore said. “Because he was ready to go from the beginning. He’s just the ultimate pro, the ultimate vet.”

Told of Moore’s comments, Burgess’ eyes lit up at his locker. That’s how he felt throughout camp, the safety said. Even though he was initially part of cuts, Burgess was excited for any role with the Saints.

He admitted he didn’t know whether he’d receive another opportunity after the Buffalo Bills released him with an injury settlement just before the start of the 2024 season.

The Saints called in May to request a tryout.

Burgess would have worked out for any team, but there was something extra meaningful about reuniting with Staley. He credited the coordinator for helping him grow as a player, saying he learned to play quarters coverage in the NFL because of Staley. He hadn’t played the concept at all in Utah, he said. The Utes primarily ran a man-to-man defense.

“He’s definitely somebody that always had belief in me,” Burgess said. “As athletes, from when you’re a kid to when you’re up at the highest level now, I think (there’s) something about a coach believing in you that’s going to help you play better.”

Burgess was one of a handful of players with ties to Staley that the Saints brought in before the season, joining edge rusher Chris Rumph and defensive tackles Jonathan Bullard and Jonah Williams.

All of them have carved out roles throughout the year — with Burgess being the latest.

“He’s performed exactly like he did back then (with the Rams),” Staley said. “We’re glad we have him.”