Juwan Johnson hasn't always been a headliner in the New Orleans Saints offense. However, after a career year in 2025, things might start to change for the former UDFA.
The sixth time was the charm for Johnson, who had gathered a career best in receptions (77), targets (102), and receiving yards (889) in his sixth NFL season last year. After a year like that, there's going to be higher expectations on him from the Who Dat Nation. When asked how he'll build on it, the TE1 responded without a stutter that consistency is the key.
"It's really the biggest thing. Just getting out of your own way, and that's really between your ears, clearing your mind, taking deep breaths, and not worrying about external things. Just worry about what you can and be present. That's how I always want to do things this year, just kinda live in the moment. Regardless of what the pass play or future is, just be conscious and intentional about being in the present."
Saints TE Juwan Johnson could have back-to-back career years in 2026
Johnson's usage isn't getting reinvented in 2026. He has the same head coach, the same offensive coordinator, and even the same quarterback throwing him the ball, so the structural change has been nonexistent for him heading into his seventh season. The only thing that really shifted around him has been the personnel.
This past April, the Saints added to their offense, drafting three wide receivers and a tight end. Jordyn Tyson, Bryce Lance, Barion Brown, and Oscar Delp are all expected to get some action. Especially Lance and Brown, who are expected to have a bigger role while Tyson is on injured reserve.
Despite the competition, Johnson's role in the offense this year should likely still hold. For one, tight end usage doesn't directly compete with wide receivers for snaps the way two receivers would compete with each other. Furthermore, Delp is listed as the TE3 on the depth chart and shouldn't take any meaningful snaps away from Johnson.
If Johnson manages to get back-to-back career seasons, it should officially move him out of the breakout candidate category. He'd be a legit TE1 at that point, and if he can get another 800 or so receiving yards, then the layer of doubt surrounding his legitimacy would be gone. What's even better is that the Saints offense as a whole would see an improvement in this scenario, not just Johnson.
The first game against Detroit can't come soon enough now. It'll be there that Johnson gets his first chance to have another career year, and it should also be a chance to see exactly what his role is in his second year under Kellen Moore.
Add us as a preferred source on Google