The air in the French Quarter usually smells like powdered sugar and jasmine, but right now? It smells like a crossroads. If you’ve spent any time at Finn McCool’s or followed the local beat writers lately, you know the vibe around the New Orleans Saints is... complicated. We’re officially in the Kellen Moore era. The first year of his tenure wrapped with a 6-11 record, which, honestly, sounds worse than it felt if you watched the growth of Spencer Rattler toward the end of the 2025 season.
Being a Saints fan is a bit like being in a long-term relationship with a high-stakes gambler. You know the "Loomis Special" is coming—that annual dance where the front office stares down a massive salary cap deficit and somehow emerges with enough cash to sign a veteran pass rusher. This year is no different. We’re looking at a No. 8 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and a roster that feels one part "legendary retirement home" and one part "unproven track stars."
The Kellen Moore Experiment: Year One in the Rearview
When Gayle Benson and Mickey Loomis handed the keys to Kellen Moore, the goal was simple: stop being boring. The post-Sean Payton years felt like a slow-motion car crash of "run-run-pass-punt."
Moore brought in Doug Nussmeier to handle the offense, and while a 1-7 start made everyone want to throw their gumbo into the Mississippi, things stabilized. Spencer Rattler actually looked like a professional quarterback by December. He set a career-high with a 73.5% completion rate against the 49ers and finally broke that weird "drafted-by-the-Saints" winning drought that had haunted the franchise since Danny Wuerffel in the late 90s.
But let’s be real. A 6-11 record means you’re picking in the top ten for a reason. The defense, under Brandon Staley, showed flashes—sitting 9th in total yards allowed—but they couldn't stop the run when it mattered. It’s a weird paradox. You have the New Orleans Saints defense playing elite pass coverage while getting gashed for 150 yards on the ground by mediocre backfields.
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The Salary Cap Magic Trick (2026 Edition)
Every January, national media outlets scream that the Saints are "salary cap hell." And every February, Mickey Loomis and Khai Harley basically say, "Hold my Abita."
Going into the 2026 offseason, the team is roughly $24 million over the cap. To a normal person, that’s a disaster. To the Saints? That’s Tuesday.
- The Chris Olave Extension: This is the big one. Extending Olave isn't just about keeping our best weapon; it’s a strategic move to shave about $8 million off the 2026 cap.
- Restructuring the Veterans: Expect the usual suspects—Chase Young, Juwan Johnson, and maybe even Carl Granderson—to see their base salaries converted into signing bonuses.
- The Hard Truths: We have to talk about the legends. Cameron Jordan and Demario Davis are 36. Taysom Hill is 35. These guys are the culture of the New Orleans Saints, but they are also Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA) or facing massive cap hits.
It's a delicate balance. If you cut the veterans, you lose the locker room's soul. If you keep them, you’re paying for past performance rather than future production. Honestly, I expect at least one "shocker" departure this spring. The roster needs to get younger, faster, and—frankly—cheaper.
Drafting at No. 8: What the Saints Actually Need
The New Orleans Saints haven't had a pick this high since they took Sheldon Rankins back in 2016. Usually, we’re picking in the 20s or trading away next year’s first to move up for a project defensive end from a small school.
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This year, the board is wide open. There’s a lot of chatter about Tyler Shough needing more weapons. If a guy like Carnell Tate (Ohio State) or Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State) is there at eight, do you take the "luxury" pick? Or do you go back to the trenches?
Texas Tech's David Bailey is the name that keeps popping up. He’s an edge rusher who led college football in sacks last year. Pairing him with a healthy Chase Young and Carl Granderson would finally give the Saints a pass rush that doesn't rely on Demario Davis blitzing through a gap he shouldn't have to cover.
Then there’s the secondary. Alontae Taylor is a free agent and likely looking for a payday the Saints can’t afford. If he walks, do they look at LSU’s Mansoor Delane? Keeping the local talent in Louisiana is always a popular move with the fans, and Delane has the versatility Brandon Staley loves.
The Superdome’s New Look and the 2031 Vision
If you haven't been to a game recently, the Caesars Superdome looks... different. The $560 million renovation is finally done. Those new 40-yard bars are cool, but the real story is Gayle Benson signing that lease extension through 2035.
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The Saints aren't going anywhere. Mrs. Benson has been vocal about bringing the Super Bowl back to New Orleans in 2031. That’s the "north star" for this organization. They want to be a contender by the time the world descends on the Crescent City again.
What’s Next for the Who Dat Nation?
The 2026 offseason isn't about "retooling" anymore. It’s a full-on identity shift. We’re moving away from the "Drew Brees leftovers" era and into something entirely new.
Here is what you should be watching over the next 60 days:
- Monitor the "Reserve/Future" signings: The recent addition of Myles Cole is a hint. The team is desperate for developmental depth at defensive end.
- The Senior Bowl (Jan 31): Our own Joel Thomas is coaching the American Team. Watch who he spends the most time with on the sidelines—that’s your inside track to the Saints' draft board.
- The Alontae Taylor decision: If the Saints don't tag or re-sign him by early March, expect a defensive back to be the priority at pick No. 8.
- Quarterback Clarity: Kellen Moore seems to believe in Spencer Rattler, but keep an eye on the veteran backup market. They need a "glass break" option if Rattler regresses.
The New Orleans Saints are rarely boring, and they’re definitely never quiet. Whether they're manipulating the cap or drafting a local hero, the next few months will decide if the "Moore Era" is a genuine rebuild or just another year of treading water in the NFC South.
Check the cap trackers in late February—that's when the real fireworks start.