90 Days to Kickoff: The One Player Carrying a Wild Legacy into the Saints Season

Alright Seattle, buckle up! We’re officially 90 days out from the New Orleans Saints kicking off their 2026 season, and trust me, you gotta know who's got the spotlight. They’re hitting the road to face the Detroit Lions on Sunday, September 13th, and fourth-year defensive tackle Bryan Bresee is rocking the number 90. This dude, a former first-round pick, is set to be a massive part of their defensive scheme. But here’s the kicker: he’s not just wearing any number. That #90 jersey? It’s got some serious history in the Big Easy. Bresee is just one of 15 players to ever put it on, and it's a wild ride through history.

The OGs and the Long Haulers of Number 90

So, who started it all? That would be linebacker Walter Johnson back in 1989. He was the very first Saint to rock the #90, though he only played one season, mostly on special teams for 15 games. Then came James Williams, a sixth-round draft pick in 1990, who really set the bar. Williams was with the Saints for five whole seasons and played 78 games, making him the longest-tenured player to wear #90. He mostly backed up some legends but still snagged 2 interceptions, 3 sacks, and forced 3 fumbles. Talk about making the most of your chances! Following Williams, we saw Israel Stanley in 1995, who packed 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles into his single season. But the next big name for #90 was Jared Tomich, a second-round pick in 1997. Tomich spent 55 games with the team, the second-longest tenure for the jersey, and he made a real impact with 10 sacks and 5 forced fumbles. And Kenny Smith, a third-round choice in 2001, put up 4.5 sacks and 6 tackles for loss in his 30 games over three seasons. It’s clear this number has seen some serious talent!

The Impact Players and the One-Year Wonders

Here’s where it gets interesting, because after Kenny Smith, the #90 jersey became a bit of a revolving door. Over the next two decades, nine different players wore it. Only three of those guys stuck around for more than a year, and *none* for more than two seasons! Four of them didn't even play 10 games. That’s a lot of quick exits for one number! But then you get a guy like Nick Fairley in 2016. He was one of those "one-year players" for the Saints, but man, did he make an impact! A former 13th overall draft choice with the Detroit Lions, Fairley absolutely balled out, racking up 6.5 sacks and 9 tackles for loss. Seriously, he played the best football of his career in that #90 Saints jersey. It’s a bummer his time was cut short due to a heart condition found during the 2017 offseason. His story just shows how much you can do in a short amount of time with that number. Now, as we count down those 90 days, Bryan Bresee is stepping into that legacy. He’s a fourth-year guy, a former first-rounder, and he’s clearly a key piece for the Saints defense. With all that history, from long-tenured backups to one-year impact players, you gotta wonder what kind of mark Bresee is going to leave on the #90. We’ll find out when the Saints hit the field against the Lions this September. Get ready for some football, folks!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.