Adam Schefter tabs Saints as sleeper team no one is talking about

The New Orleans Saints have spent much of the offseason outside of the national spotlight. For much of the recent months, AJ Brown and the New England Patriots have been the focus, the Los Angeles Rams quarterback situation took center stage, and plenty of other storylines have continued to unfold. The Saints have been overlooked.

Now, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter predicted, New Orleans is a team that could burst onto the scene and surprise anyone once the 2026 NFL season kicks off. He has a good record. Ahead of the 2024 NFL season, Schefter, in a radio appearance on 97.5 The Fanatic, selected the Washington Commanders as his sleeper team — and Washington made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game. Before last season, Schefter selected the Patriots, who made the Super Bowl, as his sleeper team. Now, it’s Tyler Shough and the Saints.

“The team that I’m putting into that category right now… I’m going to go right now with the New Orleans Saints,” Schefter said.

Schefter’s reasoning centered around one of the biggest factors in a potential worst-to-first ascension: young quarterback play — adding that you “always have to find the good young quarterback that shows signs.” With the Saints entering an important season with Tyler Shough expected to take another step, proficient young quarterback play is exactly what they could have.

The Saints are coming off a season where Shough gave the offense a late spark, and the front office has since added more talent around him. With Travis Etienne Jr. joining the backfield, Chris Olave still leading the receiver room, and Kellen Moore continuing to shape the offense, there is a path for New Orleans to be much more competitive than some expect.

Watch the full interview below, with the 5:30 mark around the start of Schefter talking about the Saints and his sleeper pick:

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LOOK: Photos from first practice of New Orleans Saints OTAs

METAIRIE, LOUISIANA – MAY 28: A detailed view of a New Orleans Saints helmet is seen on the field during a OTA Off season Workout at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on May 28, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)

(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)

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LOOK: Photos from first practice of New Orleans Saints OTAs

(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)

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LOOK: Photos from first practice of New Orleans Saints OTAs

METAIRIE, LOUISIANA – MAY 28: Head coach Kellen Moore of the New Orleans Saints speaks to media during a OTA Off season Workout at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on May 28, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)

(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)

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LOOK: Photos from first practice of New Orleans Saints OTAs

METAIRIE, LOUISIANA – MAY 28: Head coach Kellen Moore of the New Orleans Saints speaks to media during the OTA Off season Workout at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on May 28, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)

(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)

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LOOK: Photos from first practice of New Orleans Saints OTAs

METAIRIE, LOUISIANA – MAY 28: Travis Etienne Jr. #3 of the New Orleans Saints attends the OTA Offseason Workout at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on May 28, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)

(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)

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LOOK: Photos from first practice of New Orleans Saints OTAs

METAIRIE, LOUISIANA – MAY 28: Moliki Matavao #80 of the New Orleans Saints attends the OTA Offseason Workout at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on May 28, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)

(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)

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LOOK: Photos from first practice of New Orleans Saints OTAs

METAIRIE, LOUISIANA – MAY 28: Jordyn Tyson #0 of the New Orleans Saints attends the OTA Offseason Workout at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on May 28, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)

(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)

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LOOK: Photos from first practice of New Orleans Saints OTAs

METAIRIE, LOUISIANA – MAY 28: Oscar Delp #3 of the New Orleans Saints attends the OTA Offseason Workout at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on May 28, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)

(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)

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LOOK: Photos from first practice of New Orleans Saints OTAs

(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)

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LOOK: Photos from first practice of New Orleans Saints OTAs

METAIRIE, LOUISIANA – MAY 28: Travis Etienne Jr. #3 of the New Orleans Saintsduring a OTA Offseason Workout at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on May 28, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)

(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)

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LOOK: Photos from first practice of New Orleans Saints OTAs

METAIRIE, LOUISIANA – MAY 28: Spencer Rattler #2 of the New Orleans Saints attends the OTA Offseason Workout at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on May 28, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)

(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)

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LOOK: Photos from first practice of New Orleans Saints OTAs

METAIRIE, LOUISIANA – MAY 28: Tyler Shough #6 and CJ Donaldson #43 of the New Orleans Saints attend the OTA Offseason Workout at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on May 28, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)

(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)

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LOOK: Photos from first practice of New Orleans Saints OTAs

(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)

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LOOK: Photos from first practice of New Orleans Saints OTAs

METAIRIE, LOUISIANA – MAY 28: Tyler Shough #6 of the New Orleans Saintsduring a OTA Offseason Workout at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on May 28, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)

(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)

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Saints WR Chris Olave remains present at OTAs as he seeks extension

METAIRIE, LOUISIANA – MAY 28: Chris Olave #12 of the New Orleans Saintsduring a OTA Offseason Workout at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on May 28, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)

(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)

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LOOK: Photos from first practice of New Orleans Saints OTAs

METAIRIE, LOUISIANA – MAY 28: Barion Brown #19 of the New Orleans Saintsduring a OTA Offseason Workout at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on May 28, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)

(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)

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LOOK: Photos from first practice of New Orleans Saints OTAs

(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)

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LOOK: Photos from first practice of New Orleans Saints OTAs

(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)

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LOOK: Photos from first practice of New Orleans Saints OTAs

METAIRIE, LOUISIANA – MAY 28: CJ Donaldson #43 of the New Orleans Saintsduring a OTA Offseason Workout at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on May 28, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)

(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)

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LOOK: Photos from first practice of New Orleans Saints OTAs

METAIRIE, LOUISIANA – MAY 28: Jay’Viar Suggs #62 of the New Orleans Saintsduring a OTA Offseason Workout at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on May 28, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)

(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)

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LOOK: Photos from first practice of New Orleans Saints OTAs

METAIRIE, LOUISIANA – MAY 28: Justin Reid #21 of the New Orleans Saintsduring a OTA Offseason Workout at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on May 28, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)

(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)

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LOOK: Highlights from Saints’ second week of OTAs practices

METAIRIE, LOUISIANA – MAY 28: The New Orleans Saints defense stands in a huddle during a OTA Off season Workout at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on May 28, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)

(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 NFL Season: Saints picked as Adam Schefter’s sleeper team

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