The day before training camp kicks off on Wednesday, July 29, the New Orleans Saints will report to their team facility. Later that afternoon, head coach Kellen Moore will address the media, setting the table and tone of the weeks of camp practices ahead.
From the team’s identity to the progress of promising starting quarterback Tyler Shough, here are three of the biggest questions awaiting Moore ahead of camp.
What has the team learned about its identity going into the second year of its new era?
The Saints’ new regime is headed into its second year with many of the same starters in place. What the club learned about itself in 2025 should allow it to have a clear vision of identity going into this season. What Moore views as the identity of his team as well as the offense and defense individual, is valuable to see iterated.
For a number of years, identity appeared to be a struggle for New Orleans. Being able to clearly describe the team’s DNA, even if still evolving at this early point, would be a breath of fresh air for many looking for the team to improve its competitive standing in 2026.
How has the development of Tyler Shough presented itself and impacted the Saints’ confidence heading into 2026?
The leadership and connection Shough has exuded over the course of the offseason, both with his teammates and the community, has been remarkable. How that continuing evolution of his role as a leader has influenced the franchise is another interesting thought.
New Orleans went out and spent in free agency and brought in a number of weapons throughout the 2026 NFL Draft. Both signal a belief in their young quarterback and what he can achieve with the team. Anecdotes about how he’s progressed as a quarterback, leader and tone-setter will give a strong glimpse into how the club views its potential in 2026.
What can the team do now to better prepare itself to start fast and finish in the red zone more consistently when the regular season arrives?
Two of the Saints’ most-needed rebounds will be in red zone efficiency and first-half offense. New Orleans struggled to convert red zone possessions into touchdowns last year, finishing with the NFL’s lowest red zone to touchdown conversion percentage and starting games was a season-long challenge as well. The Saints also had the second-largest disparity of first-half scoring with a minus-121 point differential in 2025.
Starting games slow and missing out on prime scoring opportunities cost them games last year. Going into another year together, how the Saints plan to establish a plan fit to improve these pitfalls throughout camp will be an important step towards progress. Improving their standing in both metrics could be the difference between a fair share of wins and losses ahead.
