Expectations are high for Danny Stutsman. The New Orleans Saints linebacker is going to compete for a starting job with Pete Werner in his second year as a pro, with Kaden Elliss signed to replace Demario Davis in the middle of Brandon Staley’s defense. Stutsman split reps with Werner last season in different situations, and now he’s going to try and take over full-time.

Stutsman sat down with his Oklahoma teammate General Booty’s podcast to recap his rookie season and what it felt like to step into a pro locker room — and a new city after playing football in a big college town.

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“So, when I got drafted to New Orleans, I really had no idea, you know, what New Orleans was like,” Stutsman began. “You know, I kind of went into it with an idea that it was like Oklahoma or Texas, which obviously, it’s quite opposite from that. You know, I think I was a little shocked at first, but not in a bad way. I think New Orleans is a city that’s one of a kind, filled with culture and incredible people that, you know, breathe, live, and sleep, you know, New Orleans Saints football, which is awesome to be a part of. Incredible, man. I’ve had no complaints, you know, when it comes to that.”

But it wasn’t like Stutsman was unprepared for life in the pros. He spent part of his time before the 2026 NFL Draft training with former NFL coach Jon Gruden. He learned a lot about what’s expected from him in the NFL and how coaches run a room: “Being with Gruden was a, it was a cool experience, man. You know, he’s a great offensive mind, you know, and he was a great head coach and so being out there was a little surreal. He does this thing. It’s like ‘knock on wood if you’re with me,’ you just have to bang on the table. And in New Orleans, they got a lot of guys that were with him in the Raiders. And I get there and like in the meetings where everyone’s just knocking on wood.”

That experience with Gruden helped Stutsman connect with teammates like Foster Moreau, whose experience as an NFL veteran helped him acclimate to a new setting. Now that he’s got one year under his belt, it’ll be on Stutsman to set an example for the next rookie class.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Oklahoma, NFL LB Danny Stutsman talks Saints on General Booty podcast