Why the Saints Must Prioritize the Run Game This Offseason
The New Orleans Saints head into the offseason with a clearer picture of their roster than they had midway through the 2025 season-but that doesn’t mean they’re in the clear. While a late-season surge, powered by the emergence of quarterback Tyler Shough, helped stabilize the outlook, there’s one area where the team still fell short all year long: the running game. And if the Saints want to build on their momentum, fixing that has to be a top priority.
A Late-Season Surge, but a Lingering Problem
Let’s rewind to the midpoint of the 2025 season. The Saints were staring down what looked like another offseason full of question marks across the roster.
Then the wins started coming. Shough began to look like a guy you could build around.
Role players who had been quiet during the losses started making noise. The team didn’t suddenly become perfect, but the list of glaring needs got shorter.
One issue, though, never really went away: the run game. Even during the Saints' hot streak, the ground attack remained stuck in neutral. That created more pressure on Shough and head coach Kellen Moore to get creative through the air-something they managed, to their credit, but that kind of imbalance is tough to sustain over a full season.
Injuries and Inconsistencies in the Backfield
The Saints’ backfield was hit hard by injuries. Alvin Kamara dealt with nagging issues throughout the year.
Kendre Miller, who showed promise early, tore his ACL in Week 7. Devin Neal was placed on injured reserve after going down in Week 15.
That left rookie Audric Estime to shoulder the load down the stretch. Estime had flashes-there’s no question about that-but he was inconsistent, and the offensive line didn’t do him many favors in the run-blocking department.
Without a reliable run game, the Saints became one-dimensional. That’s a tough ask for any young quarterback, even one playing as well as Shough did.
When you’re asking your QB to be the hero every week, mistakes start creeping in. That’s not a knock on Shough-it’s just the reality of how NFL offenses work.
Why a Strong Run Game Changes Everything
If you want to see what a balanced offense can do for a quarterback, look no further than Buffalo. Josh Allen is one of the league’s elite talents, but what’s helped him reach another level is the presence of a consistent runner like James Cook.
When defenses have to respect the run, it opens up the entire playbook. When they key in on the pass, Cook can carve them up.
That balance is what the Saints need to replicate.
The Saints don’t just need a body in the backfield-they need a difference-maker. Someone who can control the tempo, keep defenses honest, and take pressure off the quarterback. That kind of player changes the complexion of the entire offense.
Potential Solutions: Free Agency and the Draft
So where do the Saints turn? They’ve got a few paths to explore.
In free agency, there’s a strong group of backs potentially hitting the market. Names like Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker, and Travis Etienne stand out.
If New Orleans wants a back who can step in and produce right away, Walker could be a particularly intriguing fit. He’s a tough, explosive runner with a proven track record, and he fits the kind of physical identity the Saints could use in the backfield.
But if the Saints want to build through the draft-and with the No. 8 pick, they’ve got a shot at a game-changer-Jeremiyah Love might be the guy. Love brings a rare blend of speed, agility, and vision.
He’s not just fast-he’s elusive, with the kind of burst that turns a routine carry into a highlight. He’s the kind of back who can take over games, and that’s exactly what the Saints have been missing.
Final Thoughts
The Saints made progress in 2025, and they may have found their quarterback of the future in Tyler Shough. But if they want that progress to stick-and if they want to give Shough the support he needs to thrive-the run game has to be addressed. Whether it’s through free agency or the draft, New Orleans needs to find a back who can carry the load and help bring balance to the offense.
Because if they get that piece right, this team has the potential to turn the corner in a big way.