When looking for ways the New Orleans Saints can improve in 2026, the easiest to identify area offensively, aside from the team’s first half struggles, is their red zone offense.
The Saints finished dead last in the league last year in red zone scoring percentage, finding the endzone on just 44.4 percent of their opportunities inside the 20-yard line.
New Orleans finished just below the New York Jets (44.7%), claiming a No. 32 finisher they would like to forget about by delivering a much more fruitful performance in 2026.
Some red zone mistakes directly cost the Saints games, while others, like a failed trick play against the New England Patriots, stalled promising drives.
But regardless of the effects in 2025, there’s no doubt the Saints want to see improvement here. Missing out on four to seven points with more than half of the team’s red zone possessions is a quick path to a six-win season.
For a short while, things improved when quarterback Tyler Shough became the starter, but it’s clear that the team still has work to do in the area.
Over the last three games of the season, New Orleans finished with just 50 percent of their red zone possessions ending in a touchdown.
To help themselves in 2026, the team invested heavily in pass-catchers this offseason.
Returning players like wide receivers Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele, along with tight end Juwan Johnson will continue to be factors. However, the team also added wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, tight ends Noah Fant and Oscar Delp as well as running back Travis Etienne Jr. all of which will help provide the Saints more versatile and explosive playmaking near the goal line.
This will be a required improvement area for the Saints in 2026 if they want to build the postseason contender the franchise hopes.
A continued and focused dedication to the area during training camp and throughout in-seasons practices is reasonable to expect. But the influx of talent for the team may end up being the most likely approach to drive improvement.
