{
  "id": 5163204,
  "title": "Saints see themselves as contenders in the tepid NFC South thanks to stability at QB and on defense",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/saints-see-themselves-as-contenders-in-the-tepid-nfc-south-thanks-to",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-02T20:09:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/saints-see-themselves-contenders-tepid-200957261.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The New Orleans Saints, currently standing at 6-11, find themselves cautiously optimistic as they enter the offseason following a season marked by significant improvement. After a dismal 1-8 beginning under recent coach Kellen Moore, the Saints managed to secure five victories in their final eight games, primarily due to a promising performance from rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. While the team is not considered a Super Bowl contender, they have the potential to contend for a playoff spot, thanks to their improved position within the NFC South. Last season's Carolina Panthers secured the division with an 8-9 record, just two games ahead of New Orleans.\n\nThe Saints' roster alterations aim to bolster their offensive line and running back position. Veteran additions like David Edwards on the offensive line and Travis Etienne as running back are expected to contribute positively. On defense, the team maintains a stable unit under second-year coordinator Brandon Staley. For the Saints to rise in relevance, they must enhance their performance beyond last season's level, which saw them miss the playoffs for five consecutive years.\n\nKey additions to the roster include defensive lineman David Edwards, running back Travis Etienne, defensive tackle Christen Miller, wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, linebacker Kaden Ellis, tight ends Noah Fant and Oscar Delp, running back Zamir White, punter Ryan Wright, quarterback Zach Wilson, and guard Jeremiah Wright. Some notable departures include linebacker Demario Davis, cornerback Alontae Taylor, and quarterback Taysom Hill. Strengths of the Saints include a potentially formidable pass rush, with depth at the edge rusher position underpinned by returning starters Chase Young and Carl Granderson, as well as veteran franchise sack leader Cameron Jordan. The offensive line holds promise with guard Cesar Ruiz and center Erik McCoy, who are expected to stay healthy, and recent first-round draft picks Taliese Fuaga and Kelvin Banks Jr. Weaknesses may lie in the receiver and cornerback departments, as the team's injury history with these positions, including Jordyn Tyson's hamstring injury and the absence of former starters Pauslon Adebo and Alontae Taylor, could pose challenges. The Saints will rely on newcomers Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley to fill these roles, alongside veteran players Isaac Yiadom and Martin Emmerson Jr. Injuries have plagued the team, with defensive tackle Bryan Bresee sidelined for the season due to a knee ligament tear, and other players like Tyson and Alvin Kamara potentially missing early-season games. Several promising young players have also been placed on injured reserve. Quarterback Zach Wilson is competing with Spencer Rattler for the backup role. Fantasy draft-watchers should keep an eye on Chris Olave, the Saints' best receiver, who has a strong connection with Shough and has consistently surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in his first four NFL seasons.",
  "summary": "After a dismal 1-8 start under new coach Kellen Moore, the Saints won five of their final eight games, with then-rookie quarterback Tyler Shough under center, to provide a measure of hope and encouragement heading into the offseason. While the Saints are not expected to be Super Bowl contenders, they could very well contend for a playoff spot because of how they stack up against the rest of the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Saints see themselves as contenders in the tepid NFC South thanks to stability at QB and on defense",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/saints-see-themselves-as-contenders-in-the-tepid-nfc-south-thanks-to-5166694",
        "published": "2026-09-02T20:13:43.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}