Three rebuild pitfalls the Saints must avoid in 2026

By Ross Jackson

The New Orleans Saints are brimming with promise going into the 2026 season. This upcoming year represents another important step forward in the team’s rebuild. After flipping its coaching staff last year, finding its new quarterback and adding a plethora of offensive talent in the 2026 offseason, there are a lot of reasons for evaluators to see the Saints as a team headed in the right direction.

With so much positivity surrounding the organization and its trajectory, there are some pitfalls the team must be sure to avoid going into its next season. If they can do so, the momentum the Saints have built will only continue to pick up steam and the club’s goal of returning to contention inside its division, conference and the league will become much more attainable.

Here are three hurdles the Saints must overcome as they adjust to their new era.

1. Placing unrealistic expectations on Tyler Shough.

New Orleans should be very excited about quarterback Tyler Shough. It’s the first time since the team’s 2020 season that there appears to be a potential franchise quarterback on the roster, and while fans have every right to keep their expectations high, the team must remain patient. The Saints have already shown some steps toward not overwhelming Shough with expectations by adding a group of playmakers and weapons around him during the offseason. The active free agency and draft the Saints had on offense shows that they’re focused on building around him rather than tasking him with the responsibility of carrying a weaker roster.

The team invested not only in pass-catching options, but the protection unit and backfield to bolster areas that can actually take pressure off of Shough rather than asking him to manage the pressure on his own.

Additions like running back Travis Etienne Jr., offensive lineman David Edwards and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson all show that the Saints trust Shough and are excited about what he’ll bring to the team’s future, but the moves also show that they’re not going to ask him to shoulder the load on his own.

2. Taking a step back on defense.

The Saints didn’t have nearly as busy an offseason adding to the defense as they did adding to the offense. However, losses like linebacker Demario Davis, defensive end Cameron Jordan (currently) and cornerback Alontae Taylor create holes across the unit that the Saints are hoping to patch up to keep the defense’s ascension going.

Returns like safety Julian Blackmon and linebacker Kaden Elliss are expected to have positive returns for the team, and a new level for defensive end Chase Young could be game changing. However, it’s fair to say that from a personnel standpoint, the defense has lost more than it’s gained this offseason until certain situations get a chance to play themselves out.

New Orleans may have actually improved at the STAR/slot role with safety Jonas Sanker stepping in. The team may be in line to witness another career rejuvenation by landing edge rusher Tyree Wilson via trade.

Until those elements are seen, no one really knows yet. But as long as the changes don’t result in a net negative on defense, the Saints will avoid another potential pitfall with so much emphasis placed on the offense.

3. Missing their swing at rebuilding the run game and special teams.

Finally, the team’s efforts in producing in the run game and special teams must pan out. Both areas tie back to the first pitfall on this list. Without a steady run game and without better starting field position, the team is going to be putting a lot more on the plate of Shough than they may intend. 

The hidden yardage game may be hidden on stat sheets, but the impact of special teams is clear and tangible. Being able to walk away with three points when needed, driving 60 yards rather than 72, pinning opponents deep in their own territory, each has a major impact on the flow of a game.

If the Saints’ run game is more productive and the special teams unit is more efficient in 2026, it takes a lot of pressure off of individuals and lessens the need for hero-ball moments.

If the Saints can navigate all three of the hurdles and avoid them, the upcoming season should be a fun one and one that could lead the team back to being competitive faster than expected.