Feb. 12, 2026, 2:38 p.m. CT
You wouldn’t know New Orleans Saints fans are feeling more optimistic than ever if you just looked at the standings. Winning six games and finishing last in the NFL’s weakest division hasn’t lowered expectations for 2026. For one thing, they seem to have a quarterback after drafting Tyler Shough. Could their five-year playoff drought come to an end?
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler ranked all 18 teams that missed the playoffs, including the Saints, based off their future outlook. And the Saints have found themselves in a “sneaky good trajectory” after kickstarting an overhaul last season. Here’s why Fowler argues there’s hope for a quick turnaround in New Orleans:
Quarterback Tyler Shough showed promise as a starter, providing hope for the future. Wide receiver Chris Olave and left tackle Kelvin Banks are among the young pillars on offense. And the defense overachieved, ranking in the top 10 in several defensive categories. Young players in the secondary are trending well. And, look at that, the team’s cap deficit isn’t pushing $80 million. Progress!
Those are some solid reasons for optimism. At the same time, the Saints haven’t seen it through just yet. They’re still old and too expensive at some major position groups. A surging salary cap and the clearance of some dead money on their books helps, but there’s still work to be done. And as far as the rest of the NFC South is concerned, the Carolina Panthers are defending their title, while the Atlanta Falcons are right there with the Saints in Fowler’s “sneaky good trajectory” tier, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a few slots ahead of them as a team that’s “a few moves away” from returning to the playoffs.
It’s too soon for anyone in New Orleans to take a victory lap. Fowler highlighted some reasons the rebuild could take longer than hoped, too:
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The Saints’ roster has been among the league’s oldest for years. It’s time to get younger. That’s a lengthy process. Moving on from free agent veterans such as Cam Jordan and Demario Davis seems timely, even though they have held up well. The front seven needs at least one more quality player. On offense, the backfield needs fresh legs, as Alvin Kamara turns 31 this summer.
Even so, the Saints are definitely trending in the right direction. Having a quarterback the team believes they can win with every Sunday changes everything. If they can make some smart moves in free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft, New Orleans just might end that playoff drought and really give fans something to cheer about.