The Saints are heading into Week 1 with a real test right out of the gate, and there’s no soft landing in sight. New Orleans opens the season against the Detroit Lions, a matchup that asks plenty of a team that still has work to do but has also made some real offseason upgrades.
On paper, the Saints do have one of the easier schedules in the league based on last season’s standings. This one, though, is not easy at all.
Detroit didn’t reach the playoffs last year, but the Lions are still viewed as a playoff contender and are expected to get there in 2026. With Jared Goff, Aidan Hutchinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Amonra st brown leading the way, Detroit has enough firepower to make any defense uncomfortable.
New Orleans will have its hands full, but this game is hardly out of reach.
A big reason the Saints can make this interesting is the work they’ve done on offense. The line got a boost with the addition of David Edwards.
The run game should look different with Travis Etienne in the mix. And the rookie pairing of Bryce Lance and Barion Brown gives Tyler Shough more help as he tries to keep building momentum.
Shough still hasn’t proven he’s the clear long-term answer, but this offseason has gone well for him, and he’s taken on more of a leadership role.
That offensive growth matters most because of where Detroit is vulnerable. The Lions can still bring heat up front on defense, but the area New Orleans can target is the secondary.
Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph are both out for this game, and after the departure of Terrion Arnold, there are still questions in the cornerback room. That opens a door for the Saints if they can protect Shough and take advantage of the space.
Detroit’s offense creates its own set of problems, starting with the run game. Jahmyr Gibbs is the kind of back who can flip a game with one burst, and keeping him from breaking loose is a lot easier said than done. New Orleans may lean more on Christen Miller because of how effective he is against the run, and that could be a key part of the plan.
The other issue is what happens once the ground game starts rolling. If Gibbs gets going, it opens up the big-play threat of Jameson Williams, which is another danger for the Saints to manage. That puts even more pressure on the safeties, who will need to stay locked in from start to finish.
In Other News...
Saints Captain Picks Just Sparked An Immediate Locker Room Debate
The Saints have settled on their leadership group for the 2026 season, and it is a familiar mix of core veterans and newer voices. New quarterback Tyler Shough is among the nine players named captains, joined by center Erik McCoy, guard David Edwards, EDGE rushers Cameron Jordan and Chase Young, linebackers Chris Rumph II and Kaden Ellis, safety Justin Reid and long snapper Zach Wood.
The bigger surprise is who is not in the room this time around. Alvin Kamara, who had previously worn the captain label, was left off the list, a decision that instantly adds an extra layer to the way this locker room is being organized heading into the season. For a team trying to define its identity around a new quarterback and a still-recognizable veteran backbone, the captaincy vote says plenty about where the Saints think their leadership is headed. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Suddenly Face A Receiver Depth Problem Before Week 1
With injuries leaving the active receiver group thinner than expected, the Saints brought in a handful of pass-catching options for workouts as they continue getting ready for the season. Tru Edwards, Courtney Jackson, Cam Ross and Kyrese Rowan were among the wideouts evaluated, giving the coaching staff a chance to take a closer look at possible depth additions before the first game matters.
The workouts do not mean a move is imminent, but they do underline how quickly the receiver picture has changed. For New Orleans, the search right now is less about a splash and more about finding enough dependable bodies to survive the early stretch and give the offense some flexibility if the injury situation lingers. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Cornerback Need Could Put One Steelers Star In Play
The Saints cornerback depth chart has plenty of questions beyond its top names, and that alone keeps the position near the front of the teams needs list. With Christian Gonzalez and the Patriots finding common ground after earlier contract tension, the ripple effect across the league has also left Joey Porter Jr. in Pittsburgh still waiting for an extension, a situation that naturally draws attention from clubs looking for help on the back end.
New Orleans could be one of them if the Steelers talks with Porter continue to stall. Any pursuit would not be simple, and a trade would likely be complicated enough to linger well past the usual early chatter before the deadline, but the Saints have reason to keep an eye on the market and see whether a rare opportunity develops quietly behind the scenes. [Read more 🡒]