The New Orleans Saints are heading into their 2026 preseason finale with a chance to clean things up, and the task in front of them is a tough one. After getting shut out 34-0 by the Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans now closes the exhibition slate on the road against a Dallas Cowboys team that rolled past the Arizona Cardinals 34-13.
One of the biggest things to watch is quarterback Tyler Shough. He sat out the Saints’ first two preseason games, but he is expected to get on the field with the starters for at least a couple of series against Dallas.
It won’t be his first time dealing with the Cowboys, though. The two teams already crossed paths in a joint practice that went viral for being less-than-peaceful.
The numbers tell the story of where both sides stand right now. Through two preseason games, the Saints’ offense sits 28th in the league at 10 points per game. Dallas’ defense is fourth in points against, also allowing 10 per game.
New Orleans has had a hard time getting the run game going, averaging just 80.5 rushing yards. The passing game has been more ordinary than explosive, with the Saints’ backup quarterbacks combining for 204.5 passing yards per game, which puts them 16th.
Dallas also brings a loaded defensive backfield, with Malik Hooker, DaRon Bland, and rookie Caleb Downs all in the mix. For the Saints, this is one of the last chances for offensive players to make their case before roster cuts hit in just a few days. A solid showing against the Cowboys could go a long way toward quieting some of the criticism that followed last weekend’s loss.
In Other News...
Saints Bubble Players Face One Last Shot To Make The 53
The Saints have spent the preseason doing two things at once: tightening up the details and sorting through some of the last real roster questions before cutdown day. A few jobs are still open, and the competition has been especially lively on offense, where the wide receiver group has Trey Palmer, Kevin Austin Jr. and Bub Means all pushing for one of those final spots. Running back has its own urgency, too, with Alvin Kamaras injury opening the door for Audric Estime to make a stronger case for himself.
Zamir White is another name worth watching after arriving in a trade and getting thrown into the mix with limited time to settle in. For players on the bubble, this final preseason stretch is about more than just making a few catches or a couple of clean runs. It is about showing the Saints they can handle the discipline side of the roster-building process and still do enough on the field to survive the final trim to 53. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Camp Answered One Big Question Before Detroit
Training camp and the preseason gave the Saints a clearer picture of where they stand as they head toward Detroit, and one of the biggest early questions seems to have been answered. The offense showed real progress in the red zone, which has been a point of emphasis, and the addition of kicker Daniel Carlson adds another layer of stability as New Orleans moves into the games that matter.
There are still parts of the roster that need work, but there were also encouraging signs beyond the obvious camp buzz. Kendre Miller has looked promising since coming back from injury, and the safety group has emerged as a strength on defense, giving the Saints a solid backbone on that side of the ball. The larger test now is whether those gains hold up once the regular season starts exposing the roster in a much harsher setting. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Draft Picture Is Already Being Shaped By One Clear Weak Spot
The Saints are already staring at the 2026 draft with a pretty clear order of operations, and it starts on the edge. Behind Chase Young, the depth chart looks thin enough that edge rusher has become the obvious spot to keep an eye on, especially as the roster picture keeps evolving around injuries and the current makeup of the defense. It is the kind of need that can shape the board early, because New Orleans cannot afford to ignore a premium position if the group behind its top pass rusher remains unsettled.
Running back and defensive tackle have also moved higher on the list because of injuries to key players, while guard could enter the conversation depending on how the roster is handled over the next stretch. None of those spots carries quite the same urgency as edge, but they all point to the same reality for the Saints: the draft needs are starting to sort themselves out well before the spring, and the next few roster moves could decide how much flexibility they have when they get there. [Read more 🡒]