By Ross Jackson
The New Orleans Saints are back on the field in front of the media on Thursday. This will provide a second look during the OTA process to see how foundational things are progressing at the facility.
From the quarterback battle to the new defensive front looks, several players will be in focus. Here are five that we will be watching closely.
It’s built right now.#Saints | @PeoplesHealth pic.twitter.com/NOJcgsSGef
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 28, 2025
QBs Spencer Rattler/Tyler Shough
We’ll pair the two top passer options together as one. The biggest story each and every week will be the quarterback battle. Last week, Rattler completed all eight of his passing attempts in 7-on-7s while Shough completed six or seven of his eight passes depending on how one questionable catch was charted.
But those numbers don’t tell the entire story. Both passers had big moments and ran the offense well, but it was Rattler that looked more comfortable in the pairing’s first on-field exposure while in competition.
Rattler maintaining his distance will be key in order to get his best chance at a job that already feels like Shough’s to lose.
OL Trevor Penning
After moving to left guard last week, if Penning remains on the interior in the roster’s first team, it would indicate that things are going well in the transition.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see further rotation at the position with free agent acquisition Dillon Radunz, for instance. But if Penning remains in that first-team left guard spot, that would be a promising sign.
EDGE Chase Young
Young wasn’t present for the first portion of OTA practices that was open to the media, but looked to be participating in Tuesday this week.
If he is on the field again Thursday, it would give a first glimpse of Young in the team’s new defensive scheme. Defensive coordinator Brandon Staley has brought some promising changes to his side of the ball, including asking edge rushers to stand up and win with speed and athleticism. That should play right into the best parts of Young’s game.
We consider him one of the most important players to the team’s success in 2025 because he represents a large part of the Saints’ new defensive identity.
WR Chris Olave
After returning from multiple head injuries that ended his season early in 2024, Olave looked great on the field last week. He moved as smoothly and quickly as usual, making catches on each of his targets by the two passers.
Olave will be the feature of the Saints’ passing game in 2025. Building this early chemistry with both quarterbacks now is going to have a very positive impact later.
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
There has been a lot of attention already on fellow cornerback Alontae Taylor, who continues to impress. But McKinstry largely gets most in the fold, which is surprising.
The second-year cornerback turned into a rookie starter halfway through the 2024 season. Over his eight starts to close out the season, the second-round pick got better and better each week.
Kool-Aid McKinstry had Mike Evans clamped up pic.twitter.com/IGFCS5NZUq
— Saints Film Room (@SaintsFilmRoom) January 5, 2025
That includes a season-closing three-game stretch during which he was targeted 17 times while allowing just five receptions. McKinstry finished the season on a high note and now has every chance to keep building on that success.
