Feb. 13, 2026, 4:50 p.m. CT

Cornerback Isaac Yiadom parlayed a strong 2023 season with the New Orleans Saints into a one-year free agent contract with the San Francisco 49ers. After one season with the 49ers, the Saints brought Yiadom back on a three-year deal last offseason. It was quite a change for a player that had bounced around the NFL previously.

A third-round choice out of Boston College by the Denver Broncos in the 2018 NFL draft, Yiadom had been with four different teams before being signed by the Saints to close out the 2023 campaign. In 2024, injuries thrust him into a major role for New Orleans. He responded with an interception, 14 passes broken up, and a 48.9% completion percentage when targeted. A solid season with San Francisco was enough for the Saints to pursue him for a return. Here’s how the reunion turned out.

Isaac Yiadom Year in ReviewPosition: CornerbackAge: 29Height: 6-feet, 1 inchWeight: 188 poundsNFL experience: 8 years (3 with Saints)2025 season: 14 games (1 start)

As expected, Yiadom opened up the year as the starting cornerback alongside second-year Kool-Aid McKinstry. Growing pains were expected, with the Saints losing starters Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo from last year’s squad. Yiadom played starter snaps over the first four weeks, but was targeted often and with great success by the opposition.

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In the first four games, Yiadom allowed 13 catches on 14 targets in man coverage. He surrendered just one touchdown, but gave up an average of over 12 yards per reception and often gave up too much ground in off-ball coverage. After Week 4, Yiadom was essentially benched in favor of rookie fourth round choice Quincy Riley. Once that change was made, the Saints would become one of the top pass defenses in the NFL over the rest of the season.As for Yiadom, he played only seven defensive snaps over the year’s last 13 games. He remained active on special teams, logging a total of 167 snaps for those units. Yiadom had a total of 147 defensive snaps on the year, giving up 86.7% completion rate with no pass breakups and 26 total tackles. Signed to a three-year contract last offseason, Yiadom will count $3.5 million against the salary cap in 2026 and could be an offseason cap casualty.