The ascension of Drake Maye and success of the New England Patriots has New Orleans Saints fans hoping to see the same jump from Tyler Shough and the Saints in 2026
The Patriots are the absolute dream scenario for what the Saints should strive for 2026. Obviously, they're in the AFC Championship Game, and making the title game is the ultimate goal, but they were exactly where the Saints are now a year ago.
The similarities between these two teams starts and stops with Drake Maye and Tyler Shough. It's the most important position on the field, though, so it's a pretty valuable similarity. Shough will be a second year player, like Maye was this season. Also, their second season as a pro was/ will be the first campaign as a full time starter.
Tyler Shough needs a huge Sophomore Surge in 2026
Spencer Rattler made a jump from Year 1 to Year 2, and if Shough makes a similar jump, that will be a successful sophomore season. Shough's starting from a higher point, so the results of the leap should pay higher dividends. It could even push the Saints into playoffs. It's going to take a lot more than a Rattler-esque leap to match Maye's success.
Maye was second team All Pro and a MVP finalist in his second campaign. Placing those expectations on Shough would be unfair, but IF it happened, the Saints could certainly find themselves as legitimate NFC contenders.
Shough being an MVP would mean the Saints offense is on fire. The defense already showed improvements in 2025. The two sides of the ball would be recipe for success unseen in New Orleans for years.
There are some drastic differences between the Saints and Patriots too
There’s no bigger difference between these two teams than Mike Vrabel. Feel how you want to feel about Kellen Moore, but the Saints will not be getting a new coach to come in and spur change in 2026.
It doesn’t mean Moore can’t improve as a coach, but it does mean there’s a catalyst in Foxborough that can’t exist in New Orleans. It would be foolish to not factor in what kind of impact Vrabel had on this team. He's clearly galvanized the team, and they're benefitting from a change in leadership.
Secondly, the Patriots were very aggressive in free agency last year. That's still to be determined for the Saints. They'll quickly become compliant with the cap, but will they pursue players like Stefon Diggs, Milton Williams, Carlton Davis and Harold Landry? Those are three contracts worth at least $20 million annually.
The Saints will probably invest in free agency, but that is a bit more aggressive than Saints fans should expect their team to be. The Saints may make one move that aggressive.