The 2025 season in New Orleans felt like a fever dream that started in a nightmare and ended with a weird, cautious glimmer of hope. Honestly, if you’d told a Saints fan back in October—when the team was sitting at a miserable 1-7—that we’d actually be talking about "optimism" in January 2026, they probably would’ve laughed you out of the French Quarter. But here we are. The NFL news New Orleans Saints cycle has shifted from "who are we firing first?" to "how high is the ceiling for Tyler Shough?"
It was a 6-11 finish. That’s the cold reality. Fourth place in the NFC South. Yet, anyone who actually watched the back half of the season knows that record doesn't tell the whole story. Kellen Moore’s first year as head coach was essentially two different seasons smashed into one.
The Quarterback Pivot That Changed Everything
We have to talk about the Spencer Rattler era, which feels like a decade ago but was actually just four months back. It didn't work. The 1-7 start was brutal, marred by penalties and an offense that looked like it was stuck in second gear. Moore eventually pulled the trigger and handed the keys to rookie Tyler Shough, the second-round pick out of Louisville.
The kid went 5-4 down the stretch. That’s the stat everyone is clinging to right now. He wasn't perfect, but he was dynamic.
Shough recently hopped on Terron Armstead’s podcast and dropped a bit of a bombshell: he’s spending his offseason working directly with Drew Brees. Imagine being a young QB in this city and having #9 on speed dial. Brees is reportedly mentoring him on the "mental geometry" of the game. If Shough can absorb even 10% of Brees’s processing speed, the Saints might have finally solved the post-Brees vacuum that has sucked the life out of the Superdome for years.
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Roster Shuffles and the 2026 Draft Outlook
The Saints are currently sitting with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Last year, Mickey Loomis went heavy on the trenches and hit a home run with Kelvin Banks Jr. at tackle. This year? The vibe is different.
The secondary is a major question mark. While Jonas Sanker was a draft-day steal last year and looked like a future Pro Bowler at safety, there's a lot of noise about taking Caleb Downs out of Ohio State if he's there at eight. He’s the kind of "do-everything" defender that Brandon Staley’s 3-4 scheme desperately needs.
- Current Draft Priority: Wide Receiver or Secondary
- Key Name to Watch: Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State)
- The Wildcard: Pursuit of a veteran star like A.J. Brown if Philly actually puts him on the block.
Speaking of wideouts, the news regarding Chris Olave at the end of the season was terrifying. Detecting a blood clot in his lung kept him out of the finale against Atlanta. Thankfully, the latest updates suggest he’s recovering well, but it highlights just how thin the receiving corps is behind him and Rashid Shaheed. Shaheed’s 87-yard bomb from Rattler earlier in the year proved he’s one of the best deep threats in the league, but you can't live on deep shots alone.
The Looming Veteran Exodus
This is the part that hurts. We are looking at the potential end of an era for some franchise icons.
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Cameron Jordan just passed Drew Brees for the most games played in Saints history (246 games). That’s legendary. But he’s 36. So is Demario Davis. Taysom Hill is 35. These aren't just players; they are the literal heartbeat of the locker room.
The salary cap, usually a terrifying monster in New Orleans, is actually in a "manageable" spot for 2026. Mickey Loomis has room to breathe, but he has to decide if he wants to pay for the past or invest in the future. Alontae Taylor is a free agent. Do you pay a 27-year-old corner who has shown flashes of brilliance, or do you let him walk and use that No. 8 pick to replace him? It’s a coin flip right now.
Coaching Stability and the Senior Bowl
Kellen Moore is staying put, obviously. Despite the 6-11 record, the 5-4 finish bought him a massive amount of equity with Gayle Benson. Interestingly, his staff is getting a lot of national love. Associate head coach Joel Thomas was just named the head coach for the American Team at the 2026 Senior Bowl.
This is huge for the Saints. Thomas will be on the ground in Mobile, getting an up-close look at the top prospects for a full week. Having your guy calling the plays for the draft’s biggest stars is a massive advantage when you’re picking in the top ten.
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Actionable Next Steps for Saints Fans
If you're looking to keep up with the NFL news New Orleans Saints fans need to know this spring, focus on these three things.
First, keep an eye on the Senior Bowl (January 31). Watch how Joel Thomas interacts with the quarterbacks and receivers; it’ll give you a massive hint about their draft board.
Second, watch the "Reserve/Future" signings. The Saints just added guys like Beanie Bishop Jr. and Elijah Cooks. These aren't just camp bodies; with the roster turnover coming, one of these practice squad guys will likely be a starter by September.
Finally, track the medical updates on Chris Olave. His health is the single most important factor for this offense heading into the summer. If he's 100%, and Shough continues his "Brees University" training, the NFC South is wide open. The Saints aren't "rebuilding" anymore—they’re retooling, and for the first time in a long time, the plan actually makes sense.