The New Orleans Saints were the butt of a lot of jokes this time last year. Many thought the Saints would be one of the worst teams, if not THE worst team, in the league. Well, fast forward to the end of the season, the Saints were rolling and fans didn't want the 2025 campaign to end.
That's all a big thanks to then-rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, who the Saints were clowned on for drafting in the second round earlier in the year. Shough spent the beginning of the season on the sidelines while Spencer Rattler started games but eventually found his way onto the field and the Saints began to shine with him under center.
The Saints went 5-4 with Shough quarterbacking the offense and he finished with 2,384 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He also rushed for 186 yards and three scores with his legs, showing that he's not just a one-trick pony.
Saints pegged as most likely team to go from worst-to-first in 2026
Bradley Locker of PFF is buying into both the Shough and Saints' hype trains this offseason. In his ranking of teams capable of going from worst to first in their respective divisions, Locker had the Saints number one on the list.
"New Orleans has a sense of real optimism based on the development of second-year quarterback Tyler Shough, who produced the 10th-best overall PFF grade (77.1) at the position from Weeks 13-18. Moreover, the Saints should still field a strong defense under Brandon Staley, one which ranked ninth in EPA per play a season ago and fields Chase Young, Kaden Elliss, Kool-Aid McKinstry and Justin Reid.
Encouragingly, the Saints made several splashes this offseason to address weaknesses by acquiring running back Travis Etienne, receiver Jordyn Tyson and guard David Edwards. Now, Kellen Moore’s group could have enough to claim its first division title since 2020 — especially given that the rest of the NFC South yet again looks uncertain."
Saints fans are all for this prediction. Locker has a great point too with his argument, as the Saints showed real improvement under Shough and Kellen Moore AND the NFC South is the worst division in the entire league (and has been for years).
Considering the Panthers won the division a season ago with a paltry 8-9 record a season ago, yeah, it feels like the NFC South is anyone's division to win in 2026. Why not New Orleans? Shough showed potential as a franchise quarterback and the team looked motivated and hungry to win under Moore's tutelage.
Hopefully, the Saints rise to the occasion and can make this prediction come true. If so, 2026 could be a truly special season in the Big Easy.
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