Last season, the New Orleans Saints featured eight captains: three on offense, three on defense, and two on special teams. Of the eight captains from last year’s team, five of them will be returning, but that does not necessarily mean all five will be voted team captains again. The Saints saw a midseason departure from Brandin Cooks, a change at kicker with Blake Grupe, and Demario Davis opted to return to the Jets in the offseason. Since then, a lot has changed for this Saints roster. There has been
an influx of youth, but also an increase in talent. And with talent comes hope. But that talent still needs to be led.
Let’s begin with the obvious. Out of all the circumstances surrounding this offseason, it’s easy to believe that Cam Jordan will remain a team captain. He was first named a captain ahead of the 2015 season, and the “C” has not left his jersey since.
Staying on the defensive side of the ball, I can also see Justin Reid remaining a captain. Last season was the first time in his career Reid was named a captain, and you can hear from his teammates and coaches how much they value his intelligence, guidance, his drive to motivate the defense, and his ability to back it up with his play on the field.
With Demario Davis leaving for the Jets, I can see the Saints selecting Kaden Ellis to become the next long-standing captain at the linebacker position. Ellis returns to the Saints after spending multiple seasons in Atlanta. Having started his career with the Saints—even though it was under a different coaching staff at the time—Ellis is still thought of highly throughout the organization and by the players who were here when he began.
Flipping to the offensive side of the ball, I see the Saints sticking with center Erik McCoy as the captain along the offensive line. McCoy has been a captain for the past three seasons, and now that this group is beginning to take shape with the addition of David Edwards and the emergence of the two young tackles, it makes sense for him to remain a leader of the offensive unit.
Now, this is where things can get really fun.
With the return of Alvin Kamara, I believe the Saints will name Kamara a captain once again. Kamara was first named a captain in 2022 but was not selected in 2023. Heading into the 2024 season, he was selected again and remained a captain through this past season.
With the addition of Travis Etienne Jr., I could see the hometown hero emerging as a leader on the offense, as he was a two-time captain in Jacksonville over the past two seasons. However, I can also see the Saints shifting toward wide receiver Chris Olave, who has shown a lot of growth and maturity over the past few years.
If I had to make the pick, I believe the Saints will put the “C” on the jersey of their newest offensive acquisition, Travis Etienne Jr.
When it comes to the special teams unit, I believe the Saints may select punter Ryan Wright, whom they signed this offseason. This is an addition that I don’t think is being discussed enough, and I would not be surprised at all if Wright jogs onto the field for pregame warmups in September with a “C” on his jersey.
Zach Wood would be the other special teams selection. Wood has been a captain for the past three seasons, and it would make sense for him to remain one.
That gives us a total of seven captains, leaving one remaining spot on the offensive side of the ball. I think this should be the most obvious choice: Tyler Shough.
Shough has done everything you want to see, not just from a young quarterback entering his first full offseason as the guy, but also as the face of the franchise. He has not only set the tone for the team but for the community as a whole. He represents the city extremely well, and every time he steps in front of a camera or microphone, he has not missed.
Since offseason workouts began, he has been the one organizing the group, bringing teammates together to train and build chemistry. He even paid for their recent trip to California to work out with Saints legend Drew Brees. Keep in mind, Shough is still on his rookie contract.
The second-year quarterback has been a major reason why so much hope is flooding back into the fan base, and it’s time for Tyler Shough to step into the leadership role this organization has been missing since No. 9 walked off the field.
With Brees gone for the past several seasons, Demario Davis now in New York, and Cam Jordan entering what is essentially his farewell season, the succession of leadership should fall directly to Tyler Shough.
This will be a big year for the young quarterback, both on and off the field.
Just to recap:
Defense: Cam Jordan, Justin Reid, Kaden Ellis
Offense: Erik McCoy, Travis Etienne Jr., Tyler Shough
Special Teams: Zach Wood and Ryan Wright
Who do you think will be the Saints’ captains for the upcoming season?
