Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
Although Sunday’s New Orleans Saints preseason debut was spoiled with a losing result, there were still some positives and standout performances throughout. Several defenders flashed, young players showed their potential impact and relocated veterans looked comfortable in their new positions.
Here are some of the standouts from Sunday’s 27-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers that prove the preseason isn’t all about the final score.
Quarterback Tyler Shough
The Saints’ rookie passer has been building momentum since the team’s 126-play scrimmage a little over a week ago. Despite the pick-six that could have sunk his day, he rebounded well with a 54-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Mason Tipton, one of the team’s just three passes of more than 15 air yards in the game. His quick, decisive play is a display of growth from the timid risk aversion seen early in training camp.
Shough it. Tipton down there somewhere.
TOUCHDOWN SAINTS! 🙌
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/Cbg4XqVQkr
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 10, 2025
Quarterback Spencer Rattler
While Rattler didn’t have the big touchdown pass, he also threw no turnover-worthy attempts. His best throw was a deep dig to tight end Jack Stoll. Rattler placed the pass on the tight end’s outside shoulder, steering him away from the defender over the top and showing strong awareness to protect his teammate. Stoll couldn’t come up with the pass, one of two drops on Rattler targets by pass-catchers. But a good display of placement and discipline, both areas of growth from his rookie season.
EDGE Rushers Chris Rumph II and Fadil Diggs
Both edge rushers had strong days against the Chargers. Rumph appeared for 62% of the defensive snaps, Diggs was on the field for 67%. Both were top-three in defensive snap percentage and made good on the extended opportunities. Each player notched a sack and combined for seven total pressures. Rumph was particularly impressive winning on 37.5% of his pass rush reps.
Offensive linemen Kelvin Banks Jr. and Trevor Penning
Neither player allowed pressure in their extended reps, 20 each with 12 passing plays. A strong showing for the new left side of the offensive line. Though, injury may have set in when it comes to Penning who was carted off with both shoes removed. Saints fans will hope that was precautionary cart use, however.
Center Torricelli Simpkins III
After the game’s starting center Will Clapp was carted off on just the second offensive play of the game, Simpkins stepped in at center and took 97% of the offensive snaps the rest of the way. He impressed in the meanwhile, allowing just one pressure up the middle on a third and 19 that resulted in a 10-yard pass from Rattler to wideout Brandin Cooks. For a player that hadn’t played center since his NC Central days in 2023, he performed impressively well despite being thrown to the wolves a bit.
Linebacker Isaiah Stalbird
The linebacker depth in New Orleans has been impressive as of late. Now, Stalbird has made his contributions to that fact. He covered well, had a booming tackle for a loss and added a couple of hurries. The hybrid safety/linebacker looks to have found a home in linebackers coach Peter Sirmon’s group.
SHEESH STALBIRD 😤
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/0RjW2XsYq2
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 10, 2025
Cornerback Quincy Riley
Riley covered well throughout the game. He allowed just one catch for a pair of yards despite being on the field for 59% of the team’s defensive snaps. He also added two tackles and held the Chargers to just 2.5 yards per target when looking his way.
Running Backs Velus Jones Jr. and Kendre Miller
It wasn’t a stellar display for the run game on Sunday afternoon, but there were still some highlights. Miller, who led Saints running backs with 15 rushing yards, picked up the majority of his yards after contact. Because he was often contacted behind the line of scrimmage, he actually finished the game with more yards after contact (20) than charting rushing yards. His physical nature will be of value to head coach Kellen Moore when he deploys his full run scheme.
Jones might not have impressed as a rusher, but as a receiver and returnman, he flashed. He piled on 26 yards after the catch with nifty moves and the ability to shake free of one-on-one defenders. He also added 73 kick return yards in the process.
