Every offseason there’s a team that surprises people.
Maybe this year it’s the Saints.
Now before anyone starts planning a parade down Poydras, let’s be realistic. This team won six games last year and hasn’t made the playoffs in five seasons. Nobody is handing New Orleans anything.
But when you look at the roster today versus where it was a year ago, it’s hard not to see reasons for optimism.
First, there’s Tyler Shough.
The Saints spent the second half of last season finding out whether they had a quarterback. By the end of the year, Shough gave fans something they haven’t had in a while — hope. He still has plenty to prove, but he’s entering this season with more experience, more confidence, and a lot more help around him.
And that help matters.
The Saints completely rebuilt the offensive weapons around him:
- Travis Etienne in the backfield
- Jordyn Tyson at receiver
- Oscar Delp at tight end
- More speed, more depth, and more playmakers across the board.
The defense still has questions. Losing veteran leadership is never easy, and the secondary is going to have to prove it can handle some elite quarterbacks and receivers this season.
But here’s what people forget:
The Saints don’t need to become the Chiefs overnight.
They just need to be better.
A better offense.
A healthier roster.
A quarterback taking the next step.
That’s how teams make the jump.
The schedule isn’t impossible, the NFC South is still wide open, and for the first time in a few years, it feels like the Saints have a direction instead of a question mark.
Will they win the division?
Maybe.
Will they make the playoffs?
It’s certainly possible.
What I do know is this:
I think the rest of the league is expecting the same old Saints.
And that might be their mistake.
Who Dat.
— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank
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