Getty
The New Orleans Saints have laid the groundwork for a return to the playoffs, though major questions persist moving forward.
The New Orleans Saints ended a disappointing season at the bottom of the NFC South. Their 6-11 record seems discouraging on the surface. But considering the team won four of its last five games, there’s cause for optimism heading into next season.
First-year coach Kellen Moore laid the groundwork for what could be a return to the playoffs in 2026. Considering that the three teams ahead of the Saints all ended the season with an 8-9 mark, there’s a chance that the Saints could rebound next fall.
That possibility starts with Tyler Shough. The rookie QB did well enough in his first season. He started nine games, throwing for 2.384 yards and 10 TDs. While he added six interceptions, the 26-year-old actually got better as the season wore on.
After a rough game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 7, Shough rebounded for three-straight solid games. His best performance game was against the Tennessee Titans on December 28, when he threw for 333 yards and two TDs. That’s the sort of encouraging signs that the Saints will be looking to build on next season.
As Mike Jones pointed out in The Athletic, New Orleans has a potential solution in the former second-round pick. But as Jones pointed out, the challenge is to build a team around Shough.
“They appear to have an answer in quarterback Tyler Shough, but drafting and developing talent around him ranks high on their list of priorities.”
That’s why the 2026 NFL Draft will be a crucial one in helping the Saints rebound next season.
Saints Have a Chance in Relatively Weak NFC South
The NFC South hardly featured a runaway powerhouse club. The Carolina Panthers won the division with an 8-9 record. That pales in comparison to the Super Bowl champ Seattle Seahawks, who battled the LA Rams and San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West.
That’s a luxury the Saints can bank on next season. In fact, the Saints could have been right up there in the playoff chase had two or three games gone differently. Two extra wins would have flipped New Orleans’ record to 8-9.
That’s why it’s fair to assume the Saints could make a push for a playoff berth in 2026.
Offense Needs Major Boost Heading Forward
The Saints’ offense needs a major boost moving forward. The club finished 10th in the league with 4,027 passing yards. However, New Orleans finished in the bottom third of the league with just 19 passing TDs. That’s all right, but it’s the rushing that screams for help.
New Orleans also finished 29th in the league with 1,603 rushing yards. That’s no bueno for an offense that only produced nine TDs on the ground. With the Saints picking eighth this year, the focus could be on landing a solid running back.
Alvin Kamara ended the season with 471 rushing yards, with Devin Neal and Audric Estime combining for 404. That’s why another solid running option will be something the Saints likely have in mind.
Moving forward, the focus will be on building on the positives from this past season. There’s a definite opening for the Saints to turn things around and get back into the playoff race next season.
Nestor Quixtan Seasoned NHL analyst and baseball writer focused on covering clubs across each league with news, analysis, and insights. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Nestor’s singular experiences and background have enabled him to bring a different take on the sports world as a whole. Nestor’s fondness for baseball and hockey set the tone for his love and passion for writing about sports. More about Nestor Quixtan
More Heavy on Saints
Loading more stories