2012: It was just another sunny day in the quaint town of Plaquemine, Louisiana. With a population of just over 7,000, there was nothing extraordinary the town folks had noticed that morning. However, as the hours rolled by, the area suddenly reverberated with gunshots. When police arrived shortly after, the victim turned out to be a small residence that housed a single mother, a pair of twin brothers, and three more children.

Albertha, a single mom, was admitted in the hospital, battling an ulcer at the time of the incident. Her son, Devin Godchaux, 18, was inside the washroom taking a shower. His twin brother was away at a summer basketball practice, while the other siblings were at school. When the twin Davon returned home later that day, it was not a sight for the light-hearted. The house was in shambles—at least 10 bullets had shattered the front window, the living room, and the kitchen. The property was cordoned off with caution tape, and there was nowhere for the family to sleep that night. But thankfully, everyone was okay.

Investigation later revealed that the shoot-out was a retaliatory drive-by shooting aimed at Devin. However, there was also a threatening message that soon reached the Plaquemine Senior High School’s defensive lineman. “They told me they’d kill me. [Because I was] the only one that’s good for something,” Davon had said to his coach Warren Bates back then. “They knew he was going to go play big-time football. He broke down in tears when he told me that,” the coach had later revealed. But the deadly incident was exactly what Davon needed. He turned those sleepless nights fearing got his life into the necessary fuel needed to drive his life and career—making a name for himself in the NFL. And now that unwinding road has finally brought him back home, at the doorsteps of newly acquired New Orleans Saint head coach Kellen Moore…

On March 9, NFL insider Adam Schefter revealed a news that would surely turn heads. After Moore joined, you’d think his first order of business would be Derek Carr, the offense, and dialing up some fireworks. But, no. Enter Davon Godchaux, a defensive tackle who’s about to trade the New England Patriots‘ blue, white and red, for Saints‘ black and gold. “Trade: the New England Patriots have agreed to send DT Davon Godchaux to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round pick, sources tell ESPN. Godchaux attended high school in Plaquemine, La., before playing at LSU. He now returns to Louisiana once the trade can be processed this week,” a caption to the post read. What’s more?

Godchaux is coming home. From Plaquemine to Baton Rouge (where he played for three seasons) to the Saints, this is a full-circle moment for the big man. Notably, the 30-year-old was the Patriots’ top DT after replacing Christian Barmore, who missed the majority of the season, owing to a blood clot in his right calf. Godchaux, meanwhile, recorded 67 tackles, one QB hit, and one pass deflection over 17 games. In his four-season long career with the team, the veteran garnered 429 tackles and 5.5 sacks over 68 games.

Just last year, he had signed a two-year, $18 million contract extension with the team, but as a misfit in Mike Vrabel’s system, Godchaux was already looking for a trade. And, boy, was he happy when he found his perfect place! Taking to Instagram, an hour later, the player announced, “Home is where the heart is! Excited to be coming home and playing for the great state of Louisiana! A dream come true to play High school ball, College ball, and now NFL in the same state! So ready for this opportunity to play in front of WHODATNATION!! God makes no mistake 🙏🏾 LETS GOOOO⚜️⚜️⚜️”.

While his wife, Chanel Iman, commented, “I’m so excited 🙌🏾 We are ready for this new chapter in New Orleans 🙌🏾❤️,” Godchaux’s teammate and the Patriots wide-receiver lamented his departure. “Nooooooo u can’t leave!! lol happy for u bro! Go work!” Kendrick L. Bourne humorously wrote.

Having said that, at the end of the day, it wasn’t just a homecoming for the player. It was a promise he had once made to himself. There’s no doubt that Godchaux has battled through real adversity, and it shows in his game. A relentless motor. A toughness that doesn’t fade when things get ugly in the trenches. That’s exactly what the Saints need after a 5-12 season that exposed their lack of physicality up front. Godchaux won’t fix everything, but he’s a step in the right direction.

Durability, production, and a Louisiana homecoming… So, what’s not to like? The NFC South is wide open, and Moore knows the only way to compete is by controlling the line of scrimmage.

The rest of the pieces will fall. They should. But are they?

Kellen Moore wants Derek Carr, but not like this…

Kellen Moore walked into New Orleans with a clear vision for the team in general. But when it comes to Derek Carr, things aren’t that simple. The new head coach has been appreciative of his quarterback, but let’s be real—compliments don’t always mean commitment. When asked if Carr was in his plans, Moore gave a classic coach-speak answer: respectful, vague, and noncommittal.

“I’ve had so much respect for him, the journey that he’s been on,” Moore said back in February. “Really excited to team up with him and go through this process.” Sounds great, right? But also? That’s not exactly a ‘he’s our guy no matter what’ kind of endorsement.

The Saints, meanwhile, were busy doing what they do best in March: working financial magic. Without Carr’s approval—because they didn’t need it—the team restructured his contract, freeing up nearly $31 million in cap space. They didn’t ask. They just did it. That’s business in the NFL. But here’s the kicker: it balloons his cap hit down the road.

By spreading his money across future years, New Orleans essentially kicked a financial grenade into 2026 and beyond. His cap hit for that year? A ridiculous $69.2 million. And if (when) the Saints decide to move on from him? The dead money fallout will be staggering. We’re talking $65.4 million in dead cap after 2025.

So, what now? Cutting Carr this offseason wasn’t an option—his release would have hit the Saints with a brutal $50 million dead cap charge. And he wasn’t going to take a pay cut. Instead, he gets $38.7 million in his pocket now while the Saints figure out what to do later. A short-term fix, but a long-term mess.

Moore may want Carr, but not like this. Not with a contract that locks up future flexibility and forces tough decisions down the line. Right now, the Saints are buying time. But eventually? That bill stands due.