Pete Werner Bio
Pete Werner is an American professional football linebacker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing around 245 pounds, Werner plays a physical brand of linebacker football built on instincts, tackling, and coverage discipline. Drafted in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft after a standout career at Ohio State, Werner has developed into a reliable defensive contributor for the Saints.
Early Life and Background
Pete Werner was born on June 5, 1999, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He grew up in the Indianapolis area and attended Cathedral High School, one of Indiana’s most prominent football programs. The son of Greg Werner, a former college and NFL player, Pete was raised in a household shaped by professional football experience and discipline.
At Cathedral, Werner developed into one of the top high school linebackers in the Midwest. During his senior season, he recorded 64 tackles, including 17 tackles for loss and eight sacks, earning Class 6A All-State honors. His performance drew scholarship offers from several major college programs, including Duke, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, and Wisconsin. Werner initially committed to Notre Dame at the end of his junior year before later reopening his recruitment and choosing Ohio State.
Path to American Football
Werner’s path to professional football began in Indianapolis, where his family’s football background gave him an early understanding of the demands of the sport. His father’s career in the NFL provided Pete with direct exposure to high-level training habits and the standards required to compete professionally. That foundation helped him transition smoothly from prep football to the Big Ten Conference.
After committing to Ohio State, Werner joined one of the most competitive linebacker rooms in college football. He quickly earned playing time as a true freshman, recording nine tackles in his first season. His continued development through his sophomore and junior years positioned him as a leader of the Buckeyes’ defense and an NFL prospect by the end of his college career.
Pete Werner Career
College Career (2017-2020)
Pete Werner played four seasons of college football at Ohio State, where he steadily grew into one of the most productive linebackers in the Big Ten Conference. As a true freshman, he recorded nine tackles while adjusting to the speed and complexity of the Buckeyes’ defensive scheme. His sophomore season showed further progress, as he posted 58 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles.
As a junior, Werner recorded 64 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, and three passes broken up, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition. His senior season brought first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2020, cementing his reputation as a complete linebacker capable of contributing against the run and in pass coverage.
New Orleans Saints (2021-Present)
Early Career with the Saints (2021-2023)
The New Orleans Saints selected Werner in the second round, 60th overall, of the 2021 NFL draft, making him the sixth linebacker taken that year. On June 8, 2021, the Saints signed him to a four-year, $5.64 million contract that included $2.41 million in guaranteed money and a signing bonus of $1.49 million. Werner competed throughout training camp against second-year veteran Zack Baun for the starting weakside linebacker role.
When the Saints signed Kwon Alexander to take over the starting weakside linebacker spot, head coach Sean Payton named Werner the primary backup at the position. Werner made his professional regular-season debut on September 9, 2021, appearing on special teams in 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 for a horse-collar tackle on Miami Dolphins running back Duke Johnson.
Current Contract and Role (2024-Present)
On August 8, 2024, the New Orleans Saints signed Werner to a three-year, $22.50 million contract extension that includes $17.43 million in guaranteed money, $11.18 million guaranteed at signing, and a signing bonus of $5.50 million. The new deal reflected his growing role within the Saints’ defense and his value as a versatile linebacker.
Under the extension, Werner continued to handle a significant role on defense and special teams. His ability to play multiple linebacker spots, contribute on coverage units, and provide reliable tackling has made him a steady presence in the Saints’ defensive game plans.
Notable Events and Milestones
Werner’s selection in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft marked him as one of the top defensive prospects from Ohio State in his class. His 2024 contract extension stood as a major career milestone, recognizing his development and importance to the Saints’ defense. Each milestone has reinforced his reputation as a dependable and disciplined professional linebacker.
Pete Werner Career Highlights
Across his time with the New Orleans Saints, Pete Werner has built his resume on consistency, special teams play, and steady defensive contributions. While detailed season-by-season win totals are not publicly tracked for individual defensive players, his honors and contract trajectory reflect a clear upward path. His second-round draft status and his 2024 contract extension both underscore the trust the Saints have placed in his development.
College Highlights
During his time at Ohio State, Werner earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2020, the highest individual recognition of his college career. He also earned honorable mention All-Big Ten as a junior. His career totals at Ohio State included 64 tackles in his junior season and 58 tackles in his sophomore year, along with significant work in tackles for loss and forced fumbles.
Professional Highlights
Werner’s professional highlights include his second-round selection in the 2021 NFL draft, his four-year rookie contract, and his three-year contract extension signed in August 2024. He made his regular-season debut in the Saints’ 38-3 win over the Green Bay Packers in September 2021.
Pete Werner Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Pete Werner comes from a football family with deep ties to the sport. His father, Greg Werner, played college football at DePauw University before spending two seasons in the NFL with the New York Jets and the Philadelphia Eagles. Pete’s older brother, Dan Werner, played college football at Harvard, extending the family’s football pedigree across multiple levels of the game.
Personal Life
Public information about Pete Werner’s personal life beyond his family and athletic career remains limited. He was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he built the foundation for his football career at Cathedral High School. His continued residence in the New Orleans area follows his commitment to the Saints organization.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NFL season, Pete Werner remains a key part of the New Orleans Saints’ linebacker corps under his contract extension signed in August 2024. His role within the Saints’ defense is expected to continue emphasizing run support, pass coverage, and special teams reliability. With continuity in his role, Werner is positioned to build on the experience he gained during his first four professional seasons.
The Saints’ defensive scheme going into 2025 continues to rely on versatile linebackers who can match up against both tight ends and running backs in space. Werner’s instincts, tackling, and experience make him a strong fit for those responsibilities. The stability of his contract, which runs through 2027, allows the Saints to plan around his long-term presence.
As the 2025 season progresses, Werner will look to expand his on-field impact and continue establishing himself as a dependable starter. With his combination of college pedigree, NFL experience, and family football background, he represents one of the steady young veterans shaping the next chapter of the Saints’ defense.