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 rely on Tyler Shough at quarterback. The Saints made a key offseason move by acquiring Travis Etienne from the Jaguars, which mattered even more with Alvin Kamara starting the season on the PUP list. Kamara has since returned to the lineup. Etienne suffered a hamstring injury in Week 3 and was placed on injured reserve. The Saints return Chris Olave, Devaughn Vele, and tight end Juwan Johnson. The offensive line returns Kelvin Banks, Erik McCoy, Cesar Ruiz, and Taliese Fuaga, and adds David Edwards from the Bills. Banks suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 2 that required surgery and was placed on injured reserve, with Asim Richards taking over at left tackle.

Brandon Staley returns as defensive coordinator, and nine of the top eleven tacklers return as the Saints push for a playoff spot. Still, the Saints must replace Demario Davis and Alontae Taylor, their top two tacklers from last season. The front seven returns Davon Godchaux, Nathan Shepherd, Carl Granderson, Pete Werner, Chase Young, Cameron Jordan, and Kaden Elliss, who comes over from the Falcons. Elliss missed Week 4 with a calf injury, while Werner has also been dealing with a shoulder injury. The secondary returns Kool-Aid McKinstry, Justin Reid, and Jonas Sanker, and the Saints are happy to have Julian Blackmon back after he played just one game last year and to add Martin Emerson 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, who averaged 49 yards a year ago for the Vikings with a 77-yard long, will handle punting duties. LSU rookie Barion Brown will handle returns. The Saints were hit hard by injuries last season and entered 2026 hoping to stay healthy. New Orleans has opened the season 1-3. Tyler Shough and the Saints will look to turn things around as they try to push toward the playoffs under Moore’s second-year staff.