The New Orleans Saints enter 2026 with a renewed sense of optimism. Tyler Shough — the 2025 second-round pick — has claimed the starting quarterback job over Spencer Rattler and appears to be the long-term answer the franchise has been seeking since Drew Brees retired. With a B offseason grade from ESPN, a reloaded defense, and some intriguing offensive additions, the Saints are quietly positioning themselves to compete in the NFC South. Here's your camp preview.
The Shough Era Begins
Tyler Shough won the starting quarterback job during OTAs and enters camp as the undisputed QB1. The 25-year-old has the arm talent, mobility, and processing ability that made him a second-round investment. The Saints felt confident enough in Shough to focus their offseason resources elsewhere — a vote of confidence that also signals Derek Carr's retirement is permanent (though Carr has hinted at a possible return with multiple teams reaching out). Behind Shough, Zach Wilson was signed to a one-year deal for veteran insurance. Spencer Rattler remains as the developmental third option.
The Saints gave Shough weapons. First-round pick Jordyn Tyson — the No. 8 overall selection — has the potential to be a big-time playmaker at wide receiver. Tyson joins Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and A.T. Perry to form one of the deeper receiver rooms in the NFC. Tight end Noah Fant was signed to a two-year deal, adding a proven pass-catching option at a position that's been a Saints weakness since Jimmy Graham's heyday. Running back Travis Etienne Jr. signed a four-year, $52 million deal to lead the backfield. Ty Chandler was added for depth. If Shough is the real deal, this offense has legitimate firepower.
Defensive Continuity
The Saints' defense, which sneaky finished top-10 in 2025, returns largely intact. Cameron Jordan signed a one-year deal to remain the defensive leader. The Saints traded a fifth-round pick to the Raiders for Tyree Wilson, adding a former top-10 pick to the edge rotation alongside Jordan and Anfernee Jennings, who was signed in free agency. Linebacker Kaden Elliss returned on a three-year, $33 million deal with $23 million guaranteed, solidifying the second level. Cornerback Martin Emerson was signed to add coverage depth to a secondary that already features Marshon Lattimore... wait, Lattimore was released by Washington. The Saints' secondary is underrated — Paulson Adebo, Alontae Taylor, and now Emerson form a competitive cornerback room. Safety Julian Blackmon re-signed on a one-year deal. Defensive tackle John Ridgeway was retained on a two-year, $6.2 million deal for interior depth.
Key Free Agent Additions
Beyond Etienne and Fant, the Saints made several value signings. Guard David Edwards arrived from Buffalo on a deal worth $15.25 million per year — a signing ESPN liked quite a bit for the cost. Dillon Radunz re-signed on a two-year deal for tackle depth. Chris Rumph II returns on the edge. Punter Ryan Wright signed a four-year, $14 million extension, locking down the special teams unit.
The Draft
Tyson was the headliner, but the Saints also added depth at offensive line and linebacker in the middle rounds. The focus was on adding playmakers for Shough and maintaining the defensive standard. New Orleans had a solid draft that addressed primary needs without reaching.
2026 Schedule
The Saints open at Detroit in Week 1 — a brutal test against an NFC power. Week 2 at Baltimore is equally daunting. The home opener comes in Week 3 against Las Vegas. A Monday night game against Atlanta (Week 4) starts the divisional slate. Week 7 features a trip to Paris to face the Steelers — the Saints' international game. The bye comes in Week 8, perfectly positioned. The Saints have a favorable late-season schedule: Carolina twice (Weeks 10 and 14), at Chicago, at Cincinnati, home for Green Bay, and then the division-deciding stretch: at Tampa Bay (Week 15), home for Arizona (Week 16), at Atlanta (Week 17), and home for Tampa Bay (Week 18). The NFC South is wide open, and the Saints' schedule sets up well for a late-season run.
Camp Storylines
Shough's development is the only thing that matters for the Saints' long-term future. Can he build on his OTAs performance and lock in as a franchise quarterback? Can Tyson make an immediate impact as a rookie? Will the defense — which returns almost everyone — maintain its top-10 form? The Saints aren't getting Super Bowl hype, but in a division where 9-7 could win it, New Orleans is a legitimate contender.
Nathan Caldwell
Nathan Caldwell edits and writes multi-sport coverage for True Grit Sports, turning game notes, market movement, and key trends into readable context.