The vibes in New Orleans are... weirdly good?
Usually, this time of year involves the collective "Who Dat" nation staring at a salary cap spreadsheet like it’s a horror movie. But as we crawl into late January 2026, the Saints rumors and news cycle feels different. It’s less about "how do we survive?" and more about "how do we actually win the NFC South?"
Honestly, the 6-11 finish last season sucked. There’s no way around that. But that 4-1 stretch to close the year, led by a rookie quarterback who actually looks the part, has changed the math for Mickey Loomis and Kellen Moore.
The Tyler Shough Era is Officially Here
Stop waiting for a veteran bridge quarterback to walk through that door. The biggest piece of Saints rumors and news to drop recently is the team’s firm commitment to Tyler Shough as QB1 for 2026.
Look, Shough went 5-4 in his final nine starts. He threw with a confidence we haven't seen in the Dome since #9 was under center. Because of that, the front office is reportedly letting former starters hit the open market. They aren't looking back. This is Shough’s team.
The ripple effect is huge. Instead of burning the #8 overall pick on another quarterback project, the Saints are suddenly in the business of "weapon collecting."
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Who is Taking the Hand-off from Alvin Kamara?
We have to talk about Alvin. He’s a legend, but he’s also entering that territory where the wheels usually start to wobble for NFL running backs.
The rumor mill is currently buzzing about a potential move for Seattle’s Kenneth Walker III. Walker is 25, coming off a career year where he was breaking tackles at a ridiculous rate, and he’s been linked to the Saints as the perfect "1A" to Kamara’s "1B."
- The Problem: Walker would cost a decent chunk of change (around $8 million per year).
- The Alternative: The draft. Names like Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame are being whispered for the middle rounds.
Basically, the Saints know they can't ride Kamara into the ground anymore. They need a hammer.
That "Impossible" Salary Cap Situation
Every year, national media says the Saints are broke. Every year, Khai Harley (the cap guru) proves they aren't.
Right now, the team is roughly $19 million to $27 million over the cap. To most teams, that’s a crisis. To Mickey Loomis, that’s a Tuesday.
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By just restructuring Chase Young—who was a monster with 5 sacks in December—and tight end Juwan Johnson, they can wipe out most of that. Toss in an extension for Chris Olave (which is basically mandatory at this point), and the Saints suddenly have $15 million to $20 million to play with in free agency.
They aren't just trying to get "under" the cap; they're trying to get aggressive.
The NFL Draft: Why #8 is the Magic Number
With the eighth pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Saints are in a "Best Player Available" paradise. Since they aren't desperate for a QB, they can fix the real issues.
- Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State): Imagine pairing him with Olave. Another Buckeye in New Orleans? It’s basically a tradition at this point. Shough needs a true X-receiver to take the lid off defenses.
- David Bailey (EDGE, Texas Tech): You can never have enough pass rushers. Bailey had 14.5 sacks last year. Putting him opposite Chase Young would be terrifying for the rest of the NFC South.
- Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU): If Alontae Taylor gets a massive bag elsewhere in free agency, keeping the local kid in Louisiana makes too much sense.
Coaching Stability (For Once)
Kellen Moore had some growing pains. We saw them. The slow starts and the weird play-calling in the red zone early on were frustrating.
But Mickey Loomis made it clear: Moore isn't going anywhere. The continuity is the point. Interestingly, the Saints will face nine teams with new head coaches in 2026. That is nearly half their schedule. While those teams are busy installing new playbooks and learning names, the Saints will already be in "Year 2" of the Moore/Shough connection.
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That’s a massive hidden advantage that nobody is talking about yet.
What You Should Actually Expect Next
Don't get distracted by "Blockbuster Trade" clickbait involving A.J. Brown. Is it possible? Maybe. Is it likely? Probably not given the draft capital it would require.
Instead, watch the "Reserve/Future" contracts. The Saints just signed guys like Beanie Bishop Jr. and Elijah Cooks. These aren't just camp bodies; these are the guys who will be playing special teams and filling out the rotation when the injuries inevitably hit in October.
Actionable Insights for the Offseason:
- Watch the Chris Olave extension: This is the first domino. Once his deal is inked, you’ll know exactly how much money the Saints have for a guy like Kenneth Walker.
- Circle the Senior Bowl (Jan 31): Saints associate head coach Joel Thomas is coaching the American Team. Pay very close attention to the running backs on his roster. He’s essentially getting a week-long job interview with his future draft picks.
- Focus on the trenches: Regardless of the flashy WR rumors, the Saints' success lives and dies with the interior offensive line. If they don't sign a veteran guard in March, expect them to hammer that position on Day 2 of the draft.
The "Saints are in cap hell" narrative is dead. The "Saints have a QB" narrative is just beginning. It’s going to be a loud spring in the 504.