Brett Davis-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
The 2025 season provided some long-awaited optimism around the New Orleans Saints. From finding the quarterback to lead the way to revamping a defense with fearsome leaders, the projections around the team are vastly different than and improved from what they once were.
With the leap in positivity around the team, there are a few of their most valuable players that could help to take the team to its next goal, back into playoff contention.
Here are three players that could end up being the team’s MVP for the 2026 season. To be completely clear, this is in reference to being the Saints’ most valuable player, not the league’s MVP award. The vibes are high, but not irresponsibly so.
QB Tyler Shough
Nothing says “MVP” like a quarterback position designation, but in this case it would be fully warranted. Shough is a large part of the reason that the outlook around New Orleans has changed so much. Having a signal caller in place that can win your games in the clutch, attack every area of the football field and create with his legs has already paid off dividends for the Saints.
In the form of late-game victories, attracting top free agents and growing team confidence, Shough has already shown some of the impact in 2025 that could make him the club MVP in 2026!
EDGE Chase Young
With a career-high 10 sacks last year, the revitalized edge rusher made a claim for team MVP in 2025, as well. Repeating his outstanding performance would lodge him directly back into the conversation this season.
Besides quarterback, there’s not a position in the game of football that can take over a game in the fourth quarter like an edge rusher. Towards the end of the season, Young showcased his ability to do that. A fully healthy and productive year would make it challenging not to look Young’s way.
RB Travis Etienne Jr.
The quickest path to the Saints changing their fortunes in 2026 will be by establishing a strong run game on offense. This would allow them to control games, wear down defenses and maintain a multi-dimensional attack. If they are successful in doing so, it will be because of the legs of Etienne.
The back has tallied over 1,000 rushing yards in three of his four career seasons, can catch out of the backfield and is a talented pass protector at the position. Etienne is a home run hitter with an impressive skill set that could make a world of difference for head coach Kellen Moore and his offense in 2026.
