The New Orleans Saints may have wrapped up the season at the bottom of the NFC South, but make no mistake-there’s a sense of optimism building in the Big Easy. That’s largely thanks to two key developments: the emergence of rookie quarterback Tyler Shough and the early promise shown by new head coach Kellen Moore. The record might not show it, but this team took a step forward in 2025.
Shough’s breakout campaign was one of the more compelling storylines of the season. Thrust into the spotlight after the Saints reshaped their receiving corps midyear-trading away Rashid Shaheed and releasing veteran Brandin Cooks-Shough didn’t just survive.
He thrived. With Chris Olave as his primary target, the rookie QB showed poise, arm talent, and a knack for making plays when it mattered.
That’s not easy to do, especially when you're working with a depleted receiver room.
And that brings us to the Saints’ biggest offseason priority: finding a legitimate No. 2 wide receiver to line up opposite Olave.
Let’s be clear-Olave is the real deal. He’s a dynamic route runner with the speed to stretch the field and the hands to make contested catches.
But after him, things got thin fast. Once Shaheed and Cooks were out of the picture, the Saints were forced to lean on a patchwork group of pass catchers.
Devaughn Vele flashed some potential late in the year, but a late-season injury slowed his momentum. He's an intriguing piece for 2026, but asking him to step into a full-time WR2 role might be a stretch at this stage.
The Saints need more firepower on the outside. Whether that comes through free agency, a trade, or the draft-where they hold the No. 8 overall pick-they’ve got to find another playmaker. This isn’t just about giving Shough more weapons; it’s about building an offense that can consistently move the chains and put points on the board in a division that’s still very much up for grabs.
And while wide receiver is the most glaring need, it’s not the only one. Running back is another area that could use a boost, and tight end might be a sneaky spot to watch depending on how the roster shakes out. But none of those positions will move the needle quite like adding another top-tier wideout.
Imagine a scenario where the Saints pair Olave with a big-bodied, reliable target who can win on the outside and take pressure off the young quarterback. That’s the kind of move that could accelerate this rebuild and give Shough the best chance to grow into the franchise cornerstone New Orleans is hoping he’ll become.
The bottom line? The Saints have found their quarterback. Now it’s time to build around him-starting with a true WR2 who can help take this offense to the next level.