The New Orleans Saints got their sharpest offensive day of camp so far once the pads came on Monday morning in Metairie.
After a few practices where the timing looked just a touch off, Tyler Shough put together his cleanest showing yet. He went 11-for-14 and spent much of the session operating behind a pocket that held up better than it had earlier in camp. When pressure did creep in, Shough used his legs to create space and keep plays alive.
That rhythm carried across the offense. Shough’s completions were spread around to seven different players - three receivers, two running backs and two tight ends - and the starting unit won the day in a way it hadn’t before this summer. Only three of his throws in team drills hit the turf, with two sailing just beyond his receivers on deep shots and another ending as a throwaway while he rolled left to escape pressure.
The rookie class had its moments, too. First-round pick Jordyn Tyson made one of the cleaner grabs of the day, sliding to the ground over the middle to haul in a low throw from Shough. Oscar Delp also got involved early, catching Shough’s first pass in the left flat and turning upfield.
The run game added some pop as well, even with full tackling off the table. Devin Neal found room off left guard and looked like he was on his way to a bigger gain before a defender got to him. Alvin Kamara also showed plenty of burst, slicing through the middle of the defense on a draw for a solid run.
Barion Brown, who made his name as a return specialist at LSU and Kentucky, kept pushing his case as a receiver. Coach Kellen Moore had said after the draft that Brown could help on offense, and Monday gave that idea some real backing.
Brown beat Rejzohn Wright deep in one-on-ones to start the day, then later shook loose on a scramble drill in team periods before failing to secure the ball. He finished strong, though, with a sharp over-the-shoulder catch from Spencer Rattler near the end of practice.
Travis Etienne also made his presence felt as a receiver out of the backfield. On one snap, he was headed to the flat before Shough escaped pressure and drifted left.
When Shough pointed downfield, Etienne adjusted, turned upfield and came down with an over-the-shoulder catch for a big gain. Later, with the first team back on the field, he set up a screen perfectly, caught the pass and followed his blocks for another sizable play.
He finished with three targets and caught all three.
The Saints also mixed in some different looks on defense. Isaac Yiadom and Danny Stutsman both worked with the first team during full periods, a move Moore brushed off as simply part of the rotation.
That briefly pushed Quincy Riley to the second unit. Moore called it “no big deal” and said “we’re just giving ourselves different rotations.”
There were no changes in attendance. Mason Tipton, Keeshawn Silver and Zxavian Harris remained out with injuries suffered before camp began, while Cesar Ruiz missed practice for an excused absence.
The club still has not made a roster move with Bryan Bresee, who is expected to miss the 2026 season with a torn ACL. New Orleans will also need to fill two roster spots soon after Ja’Lynn Polk’s sudden retirement.
Charlie Smyth had his first miss of camp, pushing a 44-yard attempt wide, but he bounced back to make his other five kicks, ending the day by drilling a 54-yarder with room to spare. He is now 15-for-16 this summer.
The defense did manage to create a few turnovers of its own. Dalys Beanum jumped a downfield throw from Zach Wilson intended for Bub Means and came away with an interception, while Jayden Price and Lorenzo Styles each picked off passes in one-on-ones.
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