While their 2025 overall record may have looked underwhelming, the New Orleans Saints found a spark in a player named Tyler Shough towards the end of the year and finished last season with a burst of momentum. Although the Saints ultimately finished last season in last place in the NFC South, expectations for the upcoming season could not be higher following an active free-agent period and the NFL draft.
New Orleans improved in many areas of need this offseason. A few of their key signings include
RB Travis Etienne, OG David Edwards, and LB Kaden Elliss. Mickey Loomis and Kellen Moore then followed that up with a strong-on-paper draft class that featured eighth-overall pick, WR Jordyn Tyson. Although there are still some key departures and unanswered questions that the Saints will have to overcome, it appears that the team will be primed to contend for a playoff spot this season, but just how difficult will the path to winning be this season?
The Saints are facing a schedule this year with eight road trips and nine* home games. Fans have to keep an asterisk next to the home opponents this season because New Orleans was designated as the “home” team in the NFL’s first-ever game in Paris, France, as part of the league’s continued international series. Over the course of this season, the Saints head into the year with the second-easiest strength of schedule measure behind just the Cleveland Browns.
New Orleans will face the entirety of both the NFC and AFC North divisions this year. In addition, the Saints are also set to square off against the Las Vegas Raiders and 2026 first-overall pick QB Fernando Mendoza. New Orleans will play just four teams that made the 2025 postseason, including the Carolina Panthers, the reigning NFC South champion, twice.
Having seen the improvements that the team made this offseason and knowing the teams that stand in front of New Orleans, what are your realistic expectations for the Saints this season? What opponents are you most looking forward to facing? Are there any that you’re dreading? Let us know in the comments!
