Pete Werner

Pete Werner (born June 5, 1999) is an American professional football linebacker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes and was selected by the Saints in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft.

Pete Werner

Werner with the Saints in 2021
No. 20 – New Orleans Saints
Position:	Linebacker
Personal information
Born:	(1999-06-05) June 5, 1999 (age 25) Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	242 lb (110 kg)
Career information
High school:	Cathedral (Indianapolis)
College:	Ohio State (2017–2020)
NFL draft:	2021: 2nd round, 60th pick
Career history
New Orleans Saints (2021–present)
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
First-team All-Big Ten (2020)
Career NFL statistics as of 2024
Total tackles: 327 Sacks: 0.5 Forced fumbles: 2 Fumble recoveries: 2 Pass deflections: 5 Interceptions: 1 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

Werner grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana, and attended Cathedral High School. Werner initially committed to play college football at Notre Dame at the end of his junior year over offers from Duke, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt and Wisconsin.^[1] As a senior, he recorded 64 tackles, with 17 tackles for loss and eight sacks and was named Class 6A All-State.^[2] Werner de-committed from Notre Dame during the season and re-opened his recruitment before opting to attend Ohio State.^[3][4]

College career

Werner recorded nine tackles as a true freshman.^[5] He had 58 tackles including 7.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles in his sophomore season.^[6][7][8] As a junior, Werner recorded 64 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two fumbles recovered and three passes broken up and was named honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference.^[9][10][11]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	20-yard shuttle	Three-cone drill	Vertical jump	Broad jump	Bench press
6 ft 2+7⁄8 in (1.90 m)	238 lb (108 kg)	33+1⁄4 in (0.84 m)	9 in (0.23 m)	4.59 s	1.56 s	2.67 s	4.38 s	6.90 s	39.5 in (1.00 m)	10 ft 2 in (3.10 m)	20 reps
All values from Pro Day[12][13][14]

The New Orleans Saints selected Werner in the second round (60th overall) of the 2021 NFL draft. Werner was the sixth linebacker drafted in 2021.^[15]

On June 8, 2021, the New Orleans Saints signed Werner to a four-year, $5.64 million contract that includes $2.41 million guaranteed upon signing and a signing bonus of $1.49 million.^[16]

During the beginning of training camp, Werner competed against second-year veteran Zack Baun to be the starting weakside linebacker.^[17] Head coach Sean Payton named Werner the primary backup weakside linebacker, after the Saints signed Kwon Alexander to become the starter.^[18]

On September 9, 2021, Werner made his professional regular season debut, appearing on special teams before exiting the Saints' 38-3 home-opening victory over the Green Bay Packers.

On January 1, 2022, Werner received a fine of $5,472 from the NFL due to a Horse-collar tackle on Miami Dolphins' running back Duke Johnson.^[19]

On August 8, 2024, the New Orleans Saints signed Werner to a three–year, $22.50 million contract extension that includes $17.43 million guaranteed, $11.18 million guaranteed upon signing, and a signing bonus of $5.50 million.^[20]

Personal life

Werner's father, Greg Werner, played college football at DePauw University and in the NFL for two seasons with the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles. His older brother Dan played college football at Harvard. His younger cousin is a successful wholesaler for a large asset manager.^[21]