The New Orleans Saints are going all-in on the 2026 Senior Bowl, and if recent history is any indication, fans should be watching closely. The annual showcase in Mobile, Alabama has long been a proving ground for NFL hopefuls, but for the Saints, it’s become something more: a key pipeline for talent acquisition. This year, they’re doubling down.
New Orleans is sending a whopping seven staff members to the Senior Bowl - more than any other NFL team. For context, the next closest team, the Philadelphia Eagles, is sending four.
That kind of presence isn’t just symbolic. It’s strategic.
The Saints are embedding themselves deep into the process, giving their coaches and personnel staff a front-row seat - and in some cases, a hands-on role - in evaluating some of the top senior prospects in the 2026 draft class.
The Saints’ coaching staff won’t just be on the sidelines watching. They’ll be coaching.
Joel Thomas, the team’s Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach, will serve as the head coach of the American Team. He’s joined by a full slate of Saints staffers in key roles:
- Peter Sirmon, Linebackers Coach, will act as Defensive Coordinator
- Scott Tolzien, Quarterbacks Coach, will serve as Offensive Coordinator
- Kyle Wilber, Assistant Special Teams Coach, will handle Special Teams Coordinator duties
- Robert Blanton, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach, will lead the DBs
- Ziad Qubti, College Scouting Coordinator, and Mike Martinez, Assistant to the Head Coach, will round out the football operations presence
That’s coverage at every level - offense, defense, special teams, and scouting. The Saints aren’t just evaluating from afar; they’re getting in the trenches with these players, seeing how they respond to coaching, how they handle pressure, and how quickly they adapt to NFL-level schemes and terminology. That kind of access is rare and incredibly valuable.
And it’s not just about the coaching reps. The Saints have made a habit of mining the Senior Bowl for talent.
Since 2020, they’ve selected at least two players from the event each year, including four in last year’s draft class alone. That haul featured quarterback Tyler Shough, cornerback Quincy Riley, safety Jonas Sanker, and running back Devin Neal - all of whom first caught New Orleans’ eye in Mobile.
This isn’t a new trend, either. The Saints have a long history of hitting on Senior Bowl standouts.
Cam Jordan, Terron Armstead, and Jimmy Graham all came through the event before becoming key contributors in New Orleans. More recently, the team has drafted two of the last three Senior Bowl MVPs.
That’s not a coincidence. It’s a reflection of how much weight the Saints place on this week of practices and the game itself.
For a team in the midst of a rebuild, this kind of deep involvement could be a game-changer. The Saints are looking for culture fits, high-character players, and immediate contributors - and the Senior Bowl offers a unique window into all three. Film can tell you a lot, but there’s no substitute for seeing how a guy responds when your coach is in his ear, your coordinator is calling the plays, and your staff is running the room.
With seven coaches on-site, the Saints will have more eyes - and more influence - than any team in Mobile. That kind of presence gives them a real edge as they evaluate prospects, not just for talent, but for fit. If they can come away with another strong group of Senior Bowl alumni, it could go a long way in accelerating their path back to playoff contention.
Bottom line: If you’re a Saints fan, the Senior Bowl isn’t just another offseason event - it’s a sneak peek at the future of your franchise.