In the lead-up to the 2026 NFL combine in Indianapolis, New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore spent two weeks embedded with the team’s college scouting department to thoroughly evaluate draft prospects and the roster. This period provided an opportunity for Moore, the last head coach hired in the 2025 cycle, to catch up on scouting activities he couldn’t fully pursue last spring while assembling his staff and assessing the current roster.
During the NFL combine, the Saints also gathered their full scouting and coaching teams to assess draft hopefuls and meet with agents representing key upcoming free agents, including Demario Davis, Cameron Jordan, and Alontae Taylor. With the free agency negotiation window opening on March 9 and the official league year starting on March 11, several priorities and uncertainties have come into focus for the franchise.
Enhancing the Saints’ Ground Attack Remains a Central Goal
Among the improvements targeted for 2026, Moore highlighted the need to reduce penalties—last season the Saints ranked 10th most in the league with 118 penalties—and emphasized increasing explosive plays in the passing game while applying more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. However, a major area requiring urgent attention is the team’s struggling rushing offense, which ranked 28th league-wide last season.
Certainly we’ve got to run the football better. That certainly dictates games in so many ways,
Moore said.
Holding the No. 8 overall pick in the upcoming draft, the Saints may consider running back Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame, who impressed by running a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the combine. Love expressed enthusiasm about contributing as both a rusher and a receiver, similar to how Alvin Kamara has been utilized in New Orleans.
Saints Eye Offensive Line Upgrades to Solidify Protection
After addressing the running game as a long-term focus, the immediate task for the Saints is to resolve uncertainties along the offensive line, specifically the left guard position. Despite having chosen four offensive linemen in the first and second rounds of previous drafts, a stable option at guard remains elusive.
We’ve got to figure out that guard spot for sure,
Moore admitted, acknowledging the availability of multiple possibilities in free agency. Potential guard targets featured in ESPN’s Top 100 free agents include Isaac Seumalo from the Pittsburgh Steelers, Zion Johnson of the Los Angeles Chargers, and David Edwards from the Buffalo Bills. Both Moore and offensive line coach Brendan Nugent have prior experience working with Johnson.
Financially, the Saints appear well-positioned entering 2026, with the salary cap set at $301.2 million and the team’s current structure requiring minimal moves to reach compliance. Even in a worst-case scenario—where four free agents’ contracts void, resulting in $47.7 million of dead money—they would only need to clear around $22 million through restructures or cuts. This flexibility provides the team with room to either invest significant funds in a top free agent or distribute resources across several mid-tier acquisitions.
When it comes to wide receivers, the Saints are less inclined to pursue major additions and remain engaged in contract negotiations with key wideout Chris Olave.
Uncertainties Surround Derek Carr’s Return and Role
The future of former Saints quarterback Derek Carr remains unsettled. On his podcast Home Grown with David and Derek Carr, the 34-year-old discussed the possibility of returning to the league if he is healthy and the opportunity presents itself to join a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
Would I do it? Yes, Carr stated, but tempered that enthusiasm by adding,
Would I do it for anybody? Absolutely not.
Carr holds a no-trade clause in his contract, restricting the Saints’ options for trading him if he chooses to return. As of the combine week, the team has neither been contacted by Carr’s representatives nor interested franchises. Should Carr decide to resume his career elsewhere, the expected compensation might range from a third to a fifth-round draft pick. Despite not playing during the 2025 season, the Saints retain the rights to the remaining two years of his contract.
Veteran Player Futures Remain in Question
The Saints anticipate that cornerback Alontae Taylor will test free agency, an expectation supported by his recent social media activity hinting at a farewell. This departure would open up the nickel corner position for competition in the offseason.
Several other veteran players face uncertain summers as the team approaches free agency. Linebacker Demario Davis, 37, remains publicly neutral about his contract status as he weighs his options. Defensive end Cameron Jordan has expressed a desire to conclude his career with New Orleans but seeks a fair arrangement after taking a pay cut last season, while the team has yet to provide updates on negotiations for what could be his 16th season.
Tight end Taysom Hill’s future is also unclear after the emotionally charged conclusion to the Saints’ season and the voiding of his contract earlier this week. Whether Hill will continue to play or retire has not been confirmed.
Third-year quarterback Spencer Rattler’s standing remains uncertain, especially after being benched in favor of Tyler Shough. Nonetheless, no trade inquiries have been made regarding Rattler’s availability, and the Saints plan to add one or two quarterbacks for training camp, possibly including Hunter Dekkers—who spent time with the team last season and is currently developing in the United Football League.
Saints Prepare for Free Agency with Roster and Salary Cap in Mind
Although the Saints have positive views on Rattler, bringing in a veteran quarterback is not deemed mandatory behind Shough.
You could not ask for a better QB room to handle the dynamics of one guy starting another guy supporting him and then flipping roles,
Moore remarked.
Alvin Kamara, turning 31 in July, remains an important part of the team’s considerations despite recent injury troubles that affected the last two seasons. His $18.5 million salary cap hit ranks among the Saints’ highest, and Kamara has $3 million of his $11.5 million base salary guaranteed. While the franchise has previously sought pay cuts from veterans, it appears not to be an immediate priority regarding Kamara due to the team’s relatively healthy cap situation.
I love Alvin. We’ve got a bunch of veterans that we’d love to keep here … Alvin’s meant a lot to this place and I’ve had a great one year with him obviously,
Moore shared.
Unfortunately it got cut short with the injury and so we’re able to finish it where our team, I think, was finally starting to play a little bit better collectively. I think he would’ve been able to reap some benefits from that. So we’ll let it take its course.
Limited Changes to Coaching Staff Announced
After a challenging first season under Moore’s leadership, the Saints have made few coaching adjustments. Phil Galiano is expected to remain as special teams coordinator, despite ongoing questions about the unit’s overall performance and punting issues. On the offensive line coaching staff, Pittsburgh Steelers hired assistant coach Jahri Evans, prompting the Saints to bring in former team offensive lineman Will Clapp as a new assistant coach.
The Saints also retained wide receivers coach Keith Williams, one of the few holdovers from the Dennis Allen era, despite external interest including from former offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and the Las Vegas Raiders.
Looking Ahead: Free Agency and Draft Strategy Will Shape the Saints’ Future
The Saints enter a critical offseason balancing roster reinforcements, veteran departures, and financial constraints. With the draft approaching and free agency negotiations intensifying, decisions made by New Orleans will heavily influence the team’s competitiveness in 2026.
Improving the running game and addressing offensive line weaknesses stand out as clear priorities, while uncertainty surrounding key veteran players and Derek Carr’s potential return adds complexity to roster planning. The coaching staff’s relative stability contrasts with the roster’s open questions, underlining a period of transition for the franchise as it shapes its path forward.
