NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Take One: Shough is the centerpiece
The Saints biggest offseason box has been checked. Tyler Shough emphatically answered the question of whether or not the Saints need to go searching for a quarterback this offseason.
That answer is no. Shough is the guy.
In a span of nine games, the Saints went from a 1-7 team to a 6-11 one. Shough was the catalyst for the turnaround.
He finished 5-4 and led the NFL in third down passer rating. He didn’t just game-mange his way to those wins, he elevated those around him and consistently made big plays when the situation called for it. There’s a legit conversation to be had about whether or not the Saints made the decision to turn to Shough too late.
Regardless, there are no more conversations on who the Saints starter should be in 2026.
Take Two: Dynamic weapons needed
In the fourth quarter of the season finale the Saints skilled position players available were: Juwan Johnson, Evan Hull, Audric Estime, Samari Toure, Ronnie Bell, Dante Pettis and Kevin Austin, Jr.
Read that list again.
Realistically, only one of those players is guaranteed to even be on an NFL active roster next year.
To say the Saints were thin at the skilled position would be an understatement.
But even at full strength, this team needs more dynamic playmakers. Chris Olave was fantastic and DeVaughn Vele showed growth but this team needs more at the receiver position.
At running back, Alvin Kamara is best suited as a two at this stage of his career. Kendre Miller can’t stay healthy, while Devin Neal was a nice addition but is not a lead back. There isn’t a position group in more need of an infusion of talent than at running back.
At tight end, Johnson had a career year but behind him is suspect with Foster Moreau entering free agency and Taysom Hill on the backside of his career.
Bottom line, with a young up-and-coming quarterback, this team needs more offensive firepower.
Take Three: Crossroad offseason for franchise mainstays
DeMario Davis turns 37 in a few days. Cam Jordan will be 37 in July. Taysom Hill turns 36 in August. Alvin Kamara will be 31 when next season starts.
The likelihood all four franchise cornerstones are back next season is unlikely.
On the defensive side both Davis and Jordan were magnificent. Neither missed a game, while Davis had a career in tackles and Jordan had 10.5 sacks.
Both want to return but it must be at the right price. Jordan has already said the Saints got him at half price this season. If Jordan believes his value is double what he made this year, then it would likely be around a $11-12 million price tag.
Offensively, Kamara is the only one of these four under contract next season. His base salary is on the books for $11.5 million. Realistically, that’s too high for what Kamara has provided this year. Hopefully, both sides can reach a deal similar to Jordan’s last year where the base salary drops but he can make it back in incentives. If not, a post 6/1 cut could be a possibility. Kamara has never hinted at retirement but that’s always an option when a player hits a certain age.
Speaking of retirement, Taysom seems like the most obvious candidate for hanging it up. He injured his shoulder in the Atlanta game and clearly was not his same explosive self for much of the season. Plus, he had that emotional press conference after the Jets win. If it is it, what a career it’s been.
Take Four: Extend Olave
The Olave negotiation will be the one of the biggest storylines of the Saints offseason. Olave is on the books for a $15 million base salary next year.
A long-term extension is in the best interest of both sides. For the Saints it lowers his 2026 cap hit, and for Olave it obviously gives him significant financial security.
Settling on a long-term number will of course be what the negotiations center around. Olave is coming off a career year but has also had significant injury concerns in his four seasons.
Looking at the market, $25-$30million/season seems like fair value for Olave which would make him as high as the 9th or as low as the 14th highest paid receiver in the NFL.
The contract to watch is Olave’s Ohio State teammate Garrett Wilson’s. Wilson has a nearly identical resume’ to Olave’s but is making $32.5 million/season. That’s fifth in the NFL.
Take Five: Other Observations
It was interesting to hear Olave say he hopes Spencer Rattler gets a chance to start next year somewhere. For that to happen, the Saints would have to release or try to trade Rattler. If they could get a decent day three pick in return, it may be a move worth making for the Saints.Alontae Taylor is an unrestricted free agent. The Saints would obviously want him back, but there’s a chance another team could covet him and outbid the Saints for his services. Taylor is the epitome of a GOOD player, to be GREAT though he’ll have to start making some of the big plays he’s consistently in position to make. The franchise tag is always a possibility as well. The Saints reputation for drafting offensive linemen in the first round is well-documented. It’s not an overall bad philosophy, but this may be a cycle where they attack the trenches in the middle rounds. They’ve found success there before. Depending on what the official salary cap number is, the Saints will be in good shape to go free agent spending. They aren’t as deep in the red to start an offseason as they’ve been in past. This year an Olave extension and a couple simple restructures should give them enough cap space. Year two should be a good one for head coach Kellen Moore. Moore was steadfast throughout his rookie year as head coach and finished on a high note. In the process, he instilled a positive culture. Despite their early hole, at no point did it ever feel like the locker room was falling apart. Everyone remained bought in. That’s important going forward.
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