What we learned about the Saints from OTAs
06/06/2025
By Ross Jackson
The New Orleans Saints are turning to the next page of their offseason calendar after closing out OTAs on Thursday.
With mandatory minicamp on the way next week and training camp to follow in July, we’re set to learn a lot more about where this team is headed as it retools for its new future.
What we have already learned makes it clear that good things could be on the horizon for New Orleans despite the franchise’s recent struggles.
Coaching Staff Additions Have Been A Success
When the Saints chose to revamp their coaching staff this offseason, it took no one by surprise. With former head coach Dennis Allen fired midseason, it was expected that the team would restaff most of the coaching positions. Then, after not turning interim head coach Darren Rizzi into the full-time lead, it became even more apparent.
Talk to just about any player in the Saints’ locker room that was a part of last year’s team, and it doesn’t take long to see that the outlook has completely changed regarding the staff.
Head coach Kellen Moore has brought a culture and commitment to the team that the players look to love. Defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s new defensive scheme is opening up opportunities for several players. And the expanded roles along the coaching staff roster is making things easier for position groups to receive focused messaging from their position coaches.
The Quarterback Battle Is Exciting
It’s been a while since there has been a legitimate quarterback battle in New Orleans. Young passers Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough are both showing out and have specific advantages in each of their corners.
Rattler has a year of NFL experience under his belt while Shough was drafted highly by a franchise that hasn’t invested in a quarterback that way since 1971.
Both passers are impressive and are bringing a lot of excitement to the potential this team can possess in coming years.
Rattler ➡️ Olave 💣 pic.twitter.com/OkzKHIlc5I
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) June 4, 2025
Young Stars Are Taking Shape
Young players like wide receiver Rashid Shaheed and cornerback Alontae Taylor looked fantastic all throughout OTA practices. Their contributions in previous years were already among those that placed them in the upper-echelon of the team, but now their roles are growing, and each looks to make an even bigger impact in 2025.
Shough it. Shaheed down there somewhere 🎯 pic.twitter.com/QsNsqmUB92
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) June 4, 2025
The same goes for edge rusher Chase Young. The defensive end has slimmed down from last year and is being put in more stand-up pass rush opportunities that will feature chances to rush alongside three interior linemen and another edge rusher like Carl Granderson. This should put him in a featured role to help rebound the Saints defense under new leadership.
Trevor Penning Is Fitting In Well At Left Guard
After the selection of rookie left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., it was clear that the offensive line was preparing for a shake up. A big part of that shake up ended up being that Penning moved from right tackle to left guard, taking his first career snaps on the interior.
So far, so good for the 2022 first-rounder.
“The things I do well, I think fit better at guard,” said Penning after the team’s final OTA practice. “Not to say I can’t play tackle, but in the run game — especially at guard — the things I do well really shine.”
Expect A Heavy Dose Of The Run Game
With new, young quarterbacks set to take the helm for New Orleans and a changing defensive system, the Saints’ rushing attack is going to be an important focus.
Saints’ run game coordinator T.J. Paganetti laid out his plan for the Saints’ ground attack in 2025. This should be a very exciting portion of the Saints’ season which we’ll learn a lot more about once the pads go on in training camp.