The vibe around the Caesars Superdome right now is... weirdly good? Look, I know. A 6-11 record usually means everyone is looking for the nearest exit or calling for the GM's head. But something shifted in the final month of the season.
Honestly, the New Orleans Saints news cycle hasn't felt this optimistic since Drew Brees was still wearing the gold helmet. Even with a season-ending 19-17 loss to the Falcons on January 4, 2026, the mood in the locker room isn't one of defeat. It's one of relief. Why? Because for the first time in half a decade, the Saints actually have a quarterback they believe in.
The Shough Factor: From Second-Rounder to Savior
Tyler Shough isn't just a name on the depth chart anymore. He’s the guy. After taking over for Spencer Rattler in November, the Louisville product went 5-4 as a starter and basically lit the league on fire in December. He was just named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for December and January.
That’s huge.
Think about the numbers for a second. In his final stretch, he completed nearly 70% of his passes for over 1,300 yards. He’s not just a pocket passer either; the dude can run. He notched three rushing touchdowns during that late-season surge. Coach Kellen Moore was pretty blunt about it last week. He said they aren't looking back. Shough is the QB1 heading into 2026. Period.
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It’s kinda wild when you remember how this season started. Remember the 1-7 hole? The "fire everyone" tweets? It felt like a total disaster. But Shough stayed steady. Demario Davis, who has seen basically every quarterback transition in this building, recently said this is the most excited the organization has been about a signal-caller since No. 9 walked out the door. That’s not a quote you throw around lightly in New Orleans.
Kellen Moore and the Culture Shift
Kellen Moore’s first year as head coach was a rollercoaster. He walked into a mess. He was hired thinking he had Derek Carr, then Carr retired abruptly after the draft due to that shoulder injury. Moore had to pivot to two rookies—Rattler and Shough—and a roster that felt like it was aging in dog years.
The 2-10 start was brutal. There’s no sugarcoating that. But the fact that they won four of their last five says a lot about Moore’s leadership. He didn’t lose the room.
He’s bringing Brandon Staley into the fold for the defense, and while some fans are skeptical of Staley after his Chargers tenure, the pairing is intriguing. The real question is special teams. Phil Galiano took over for Darren Rizzi, and frankly, the unit struggled. There’s a lot of chatter about whether Moore makes a change there this week.
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The Aging Vets: Stay or Go?
This is where things get tricky. We’re talking about Cameron Jordan and Demario Davis.
Cam Jordan is a legend. He just passed Brees for the most games played in franchise history. He also put up 6.5 sacks this year, which is solid, but he’s in his late 30s. He’s a free agent now. He told reporters he had a quick chat with his wife, Nikki, and she gave him the green light to play in 2026. But will the Saints pay him?
The cap situation is... well, it’s the Saints. It’s always a puzzle. Mickey Loomis has to decide if he wants to keep the veteran "soul" of the team or finally commit to the youth movement.
Current Roster Highlights:
- Chris Olave: Just earned Second-Team All-Pro honors. He’s the undisputed WR1.
- Chase Young: Found his groove. He was the NFC Defensive Player of the Month for December/January. 10 sacks on the season.
- Kelvin Banks Jr.: The rookie tackle looks like a long-term fixture on the line.
- Alontae Taylor: Extension talks are looming. He’s played well, but what does that contract even look like in this market?
What Most People Get Wrong About the Draft
Everyone is eyeing the No. 8 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The "mock draft" crowd is already screaming for a wide receiver to help Shough. And yeah, they need playmakers. Alvin Kamara is still an icon, but he’s been battling injuries and the miles are starting to show.
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But don't be shocked if Loomis goes defense again. The secondary needs depth, and the pass rush, despite Chase Young’s resurgence, is thin if Cam Jordan doesn't return. The Saints love "trench" players. They’ve built their identity on them.
The Next Steps for 2026
The "optimism" in the New Orleans Saints news cycle isn't just PR fluff. It's based on a tangible change in how the offense operates. For the first time in years, the Saints have a quarterback who can extend plays and a coaching staff that actually seems to have a long-term plan.
If you're following the team this offseason, keep your eyes on the coaching staff moves first. Moore needs to solidify his assistants before free agency hits in March. Then, it's all about the cap gymnastics. Loomis will likely restructure half the roster just to get under the limit, but that's standard procedure in New Orleans.
The goal for 2026 isn't just "improving." With the NFC South being as wide open as it is—the Panthers just won the division at 8-9—the Saints are basically two or three good moves away from being back in the playoff hunt.
Watch the Tyler Shough "Rookie of the Year" voting. It’ll tell you a lot about how the rest of the league views what’s happening in New Orleans. Even if he doesn’t win, the fact that he’s a finalist tells you the Saints finally found their guy.
Actionable To-Do List for Who Dat Nation:
- Track the Coaching Staff: Watch for a potential new Special Teams Coordinator. That unit cost them at least two games this year.
- Monitor the Cap: Keep an eye on restructure news for Demario Davis and Alvin Kamara. Their contracts will dictate how much room there is for free agents.
- Draft Watch: Start looking at the top WR and DE prospects for that 8th overall pick.
- Follow the Health: Chris Olave’s recovery from that lung blood clot is paramount. He’s expected to be 100%, but it’s a situation that requires monitoring.