Saints’ Blueprint For 2026 Nfc South Contention

The vibe has wholly shifted astir nan New Orleans Saints.

Halfway done nan 2025 season, a cleanable offseason for nan Saints would've looked for illustration a complete teardown. At nan time, nan Saints were successful nan moving for nan No. 1 prime successful nan 2026 National Football League Draft. Before Tyler Shough took over, location was speculation astir nan anticipation of earning nan No. 1 prime and trying to usage it connected personification for illustration Fernando Mendoza. With nary signs of hope, a cleanable offseason astatine nan clip looked for illustration a complete rebuild and overhaul.

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Now, that's not nan case.

Shough took complete and nan Saints went 5-4 successful 9 starts pinch him successful 2025. Now, he's firmly planted arsenic nan team's starting backmost moving forward. The Carolina Panthers — who nan Saints hit doubly pinch Shough nether halfway — won nan NFC South pinch an 8-9 record. With nan measurement nan Saints played successful nan 9 starts pinch Shough, they could compete for nan section arsenic soon arsenic adjacent twelvemonth if they conscionable ran it back. But that wouldn't beryllium a cleanable offseason. The Saints should beryllium aiming higher.

What cleanable Saints offseason would look like

Pending Free Agents
Of nan Saints' group of pending free agents, uncovering a measurement to support astatine slightest Cameron Jordan, Demario Davis, and Alontae Taylor successful municipality would beryllium a bully start. If Taysom Hill wants to play different twelvemonth for cheap, nan Saints should find a measurement to support him arsenic well. If nan Saints could support astatine slightest 3 of 4 here, that's a measurement successful nan correct guidance and would thief support activity successful spot for a squad pinch plentifulness of young guys.

Wide Receiver
The Saints request different playmaker. Chris Olave is simply a superstar and Devaughn Vele looked for illustration a stud aft Rashid Shaheed was traded. But nan Saints request more. They could spell nan draught way and return personification for illustration Jordyn Tyson retired of Arizona State pinch nan No. 8 prime successful nan 2026 National Football League Draft. If nan Saints don't draught personification highly, they request to look to free agency aliases nan waste and acquisition marketplace for a clear No. 2. One action successful free agency to see is Deebo Samuel. Brandon Aiyuk is personification to see connected nan waste and acquisition artifact — aliases free agency if he's released.

2026 NFL Draft
Again, taking a receiver should beryllium an action pinch nan No. 8 prime successful nan 2026 NFL Draft. If nan Saints don't for illustration nan receivers disposable and Notre Dame moving backmost Jeremiyah Love someway drops, he should beryllium nan pick. Getting a cost-controlled violative limb would beryllium a bully commencement successful nan first round. If not an violative weapon, a walk rusher would beryllium ideal.

Summary
The Saints don't person a cleanable roster, by immoderate means, but they tin compete successful nan NFC South. Keeping their seasoned pending free agents, adding a big-name No. 2 receiver, adding astatine slightest 1 walk rusher, and perchance a cornerback would beryllium capable for nan offseason to beryllium perfect.

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