While there is a lot of excitement around the New Orleans Saints offense, which features a number of new, young and explosive contributors, there are still some important hurdles the team must clear in 2026 in order to maximize their potential and turn it into success.
From more production needed from the run game to health and offensive line consistency, the exciting new additions for New Orleans can only thrive if these potential complications are managed.
Consistent Offensive Line Play
The Saints fielded 29 different offensive line combinations throughout the season last year, tied for the second-most in the NFL. Getting somewhere nearer the middle of the pack would be a massive win for New Orleans, especially if that also means getting a near-full to full season out of center Erik McCoy, the team’s best offensive lineman.
McCoy has managed injuries over the last couple of seasons, getting him through a full year would be beneficial for New Orleans. The center is one of the position’s best players in the NFL and an integral part of the leadership group throughout the roster.
Meanwhile, continued impressive play by the young bookend tackles, Kelvin Banks Jr. at left tackle and Taliese Fuaga on the right will help to keep the floor of the line high. The addition of David Edwards at left guard is expected to buoy the unit quite a bit at a position that has rotated more than a few starters in recent years while right guard Cesar Ruiz looks forward to the challenge ahead as he looks to prove himself in 2026.
The better and more consistently this unit performs and is on the field together, the better off the team’s prospects are for the upcoming season.
Costly Sophomore Slumps
The second-year slumps many speak of across the league are a bit overstated. However, they are far from fictitious. Along with Banks, another second-year player, quarterback Tyler Shough, will have to avoid such a situation.
There’s a lot of warranted faith in what the quarterback can do going into his next year and many are expecting his second year to be more of a sophomore leap than anything else. But that would only be possible by clearing the hurdle of an otherwise second-year dropoff.
Run Game Efficacy
The Saints’ run game should be on a new level in 2026. After averaging just 3.7 yards per carry on the ground last year, the team invested heavily into securing better production moving ahead. Along with Edwards, the free agency signing of running back Travis Etienne Jr. should provide a jolt.
Etienne is an explosive runner with experience producing in a lot of the new elements the Saints are preparing to incorporate in their offense including under center runs and multiple-tight end sets.
He’s a perfect fit for what the Saints hope to build their identity off of this year, and if he and team are successful in executing the vision, New Orleans will benefit greatly.
