Jan. 12, 2026, 5:55 a.m. CT

After several seasons as one of the NFL’s best run defenses, the New Orleans Saints had a rapid decline for two years before plummeting to an abysmal 31st against the run in 2024. It was one of the many things that cost coach Dennis Allen his job. In his place on the defensive side stepped coordinator Brandon Staley, tasked with improving an aging and sloppy unit.

Both issues showed a ton of improvement, as the Saints ended 2025 ranked 9th in total defense. The most significant rise was against the pass, but New Orleans was also far better against the run. In our continuing recap of the 2025 season, we take a look at just how much they got better here.

2025 New Orleans Saints Run Defense120.6 yards per game (19th)4 yards per carry (6th)12 touchdowns (6th)90 tackles for loss (6th)

Leading tackler: Demario Davis (143)

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Solo tackles: Demario Davis (64)

Tackles for loss: Cameron Jordan (15)

New Orleans might not have had pretty numbers against the run, but certainly worlds better than the 141 rushing yards per game and 4.9 per carry they allowed last season. The Saints held seven opponents to under 100 yards on the ground, but did allow four 100-yard rushers. Most importantly, New Orleans stiffened the most in some key short yardage and goal line situations.

In the trenches were where we saw the biggest difference with the Saints. The team still needs a big-bodied interior run stopper, but they weren’t often bullied by opponents inside. Jonathan Bullard, John Ridgeway, Davon Godchaux, and Jonah Williams gave the defense an underrated rotation up front that was better than the last few years. Starters Bryan Bresee and Nathan Shepherd wound up being good fits for Staley’s system and were both physical and disruptive at the point of attack.

Edge defenders Cam Jordan, Chase Young, and Carl Granderson were all superb against the run at times. For Jordan, this was no surprise. He’s been a strong run defender throughout his outstanding career. Young played by far his best football, even against the run. These three were as responsible for several big run stops as the down linemen, as the Saints often controlled the trenches in short yardage situations.

An improved defensive line allowed Demario Davis to lead the team in tackles for an eighth consecutive year. Davis had more total tackles than at any point in his terrific 14-year career. His elite anticipation and instincts remain the key to the entire unit. Fellow linebacker Pete Werner is a liability in space, but physical against the run inside the tackle box. Rookie Danny Stutsman and second-year Isaiah Stalbird provided outstanding linebacker depth, with Stutsman showing a bone-jarring physicality against the run.

New Orleans has a big decision to make whether Davis and Jordan return in 2026. They also may should push to re-sign Alontae Taylor, the strongest run defender in a physical secondary that includes active safeties Jonas Sanker and Justin Reid. Another piece up front is also a necessity, but the physicality and improved discipline the Saints showed against the run was a refreshing change over what we saw from them the previous few years.