The Saints have a chance to make Tyler Shough’s life a lot easier, and the answer is still sitting out there in Keenan Allen.
New Orleans came out of the 2025 season with more reason for optimism than plenty of people expected. Kellen Moore settled in well as head coach, and Shough’s rookie year gave the Saints enough to believe they may already have their franchise quarterback. If that’s the case, the next move is obvious: surround him with as many trustworthy targets as possible.
That’s where Allen comes in. The 34-year-old is still a free agent after spending the 2025 season with the Los Angeles Chargers, and he remains exactly the kind of steady pass-catcher a young quarterback can lean on. Moe Moton of Bleacher Report recently listed eight moves that should happen before Week 1, and one of them was New Orleans signing Allen.
“Clearly, Moore knows how to feature Allen in his aerial attack. In a reunion, he could utilize the savvy veteran as the second or third option behind Chris Olave and rookie first-rounder Jordyn Tyson.
Remember, Tyson has an extensive injury history. Allen can be veteran insurance, an upgrade over Devaughn Vele in the slot and a reliable safety blanket for quarterback Tyler Shough.”
That logic fits the Saints’ current setup. Their receiver room is thin, and both Chris Olave and Jordyn Tyson come with injury concerns. Allen would give them a proven option who can handle volume and keep the offense on schedule.
The connection with Moore matters, too. The two were together in Los Angeles in 2023, when Allen posted 108 catches for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns. That was also the last time he made the Pro Bowl, and it’s a strong reminder of how productive he can still be in the right system.
Allen’s résumé speaks for itself: six Pro Bowl selections, plus another solid season in 2025 with 81 receptions for 777 yards and four touchdowns. He has now finished with at least 66 catches and 744 receiving yards in nine straight seasons.
For a Saints team trying to give Shough every possible advantage, that kind of reliability would fit right in.
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Saints Fans Already Have Every Reason To Defend Tyler Shough
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Shough and Dart are also set to meet on the field this season, which only adds more fuel to a rivalry that media and fans are eager to make bigger than it is right now. The broader case for both quarterbacks is simple enough: each has reasons to improve in Year 2, with Dart getting help back around him and Shough working with new pieces in the offense, but the way they are being ranked and discussed has already given New Orleans supporters plenty to push back against. [Read more 🡒]