The Saints are looking to improve on a 6-11 2025 campaign behind Kellen Moore and his second-year staff. Doug Nussmeier is back as offensive coordinator and will depend on Tyler Shough as the starting quarterback. The Saints made a key offseason move by acquiring Travis Etienne from the Jaguars, which matters even more with Alvin Kamara on the PUP list to start the season. The Saints return receivers Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele, along with tight end Juwan Johnson. The Saints are high on Bryce Lance, a rookie out of North Dakota State, and he will push for an immediate starting role. The offensive line returns Kelvin Banks, Erik McCoy, Cesar Ruiz, and Taliese Fuaga and welcomes David Edwards from the Bills.

Brandon Staley returns as defensive coordinator, and nine of the top eleven tacklers return. Still, the Saints must replace Demario Davis and Alontae Taylor, their top two tacklers from a season ago. Davon Godchaux, Nathan Shepherd, Carl Granderson, Pete Werner, Chase Young, and Cameron Jordan are back in the front seven, along with Kaden Elliss, who comes over from the Falcons. The secondary returns Kool-Aid McKinstry, Justin Reid, and Jonas Sanker. The Saints are happy to have Julian Blackmon back after he played just one game last year, and to add Martin Emerson, who comes over from Cleveland.

Phil Galiano is back as special teams coordinator with a new-look unit. Daniel Carlson comes over from the Raiders to handle field goals. Ryan Wright averaged 49 yards a year ago for the Vikings, with a long of 77 yards, and will handle punting duties. LSU rookie Barion Brown will handle the returns until Mason Tipton gets back from the PUP list. The Saints were hit hard by the injury bug last season and will hope to stay healthy this year in a division that was won by a team with a losing record. Even a small jump can put the Saints in the playoff hunt conversation. It will be interesting to see how the entire staff handles the transition from their first season into the second.