Jordyn Tyson wasted no time standing out on the second day of New Orleans Saints training camp. One of the cleanest moments of the day came when Tyler Shough found Tyson for a touchdown, and it fit neatly into a bigger picture that’s starting to take shape in camp.
Chris Olave’s hold-in, aimed at landing a new contract, has opened a window for Shough and Tyson to work together more often. That matters because the Saints are giving the rookie receiver a chance to become the clear top target on the field while Olave is away from team drills. It also gives Shough and Tyson extra time to build the kind of connection that could matter for the offense in 2026.
Tyson has already looked like a different kind of receiver in camp. Even in individual work, his twitchiness jumps off the field, and he brings an elusiveness that hasn’t been a major part of the Saints’ receiving group. Those traits are a big reason the Saints took Tyson in the top 10, and they’re the kind of tools that can really pop once the chemistry with Shough starts to click.
That chemistry didn’t get much of a chance to develop during OTAs and minicamp. The Saints took a cautious approach with Tyson’s health, which limited the amount of on-field work the two could get together this offseason. Olave being present wouldn’t shut that down, but his absence in team periods does create more room for Shough and Tyson to stack reps.
Thursday offered a good example. There were moments when it felt like the Saints were making a point of getting Tyson the ball, and that makes sense. If Olave is going to miss some time in team drills with Shough, the best way to use those reps is to lean into Tyson’s role.
The Saints already have a season of work with Olave and Shough, and that year produced positive results. So the missed reps in camp shouldn’t change much between those two.
The bigger opportunity is here, with Tyson, who looks set to be a major part of the offense from Day 1. Every extra snap helps build the familiarity that can turn a promising camp connection into something real once the games start counting.
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