Why Saints could be in prime position to go from worst to first in 2026

The New Orleans Saints didn't have the best 2025 season. It was the first season with Kellen Moore as the head coach, so it wasn't surprising to struggle in the first year of a new regime. 

However, especially toward the end of the season, the team started to show some encouraging signs. Quarterback Tyler Shough began looking like a future star, and it's clear that Moore's offense can be electric. 

The team built off that strong finish by adding some nice playmakers this offseason. In free agency, the team signed running back Travis Etienne Jr., who can either form an elite duo with Alvin Kamara, or perhaps take over the room completely. Then, in the draft, the team added wideouts Jordyn Tyson, Bryce Lance, and Barion Brown. 

As a result, there are some who really think highly of the Saints ahead of the 2026 season. Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report recently identified which teams have the best chance to go from worst in their division to first, and the Saints are near the top of the list. 

Why the Saints can win the NFC South in 2026

Gagnon gives only the Detroit Lions a better chance than the Saints to go from worst to first. Of course, it helps that the NFC South is almost always mediocre, but still. 

"The wide-open NFC South hasn't had an 11-game winner since 2021," Gagnon explained. "The Saints look like they have their new franchise quarterback in Tyler Shough, and it's hard to fully get behind the defending champion Panthers (8-9 in 2025), the consistently mediocre Falcons (major questions at quarterback) and the fading Buccaneers (went 2-7 down the stretch last season)."

As Gagnon mentioned, it's been a while since any team ran away with the NFC South. On paper, there's not a big difference between the four squads, and a couple of bounces here and there could end up being the difference. 

What is Shough continues to get better and the young weapons immediately contribute? If that happens, the Saints will be scary in 2026. 

I haven't even mentioned the defense, either. Only four teams allowed fewer passing yards than the Saints in 2025, and while they did lose Alontae Taylor, there's hope that Martin Emerson Jr. and Quincy Riley can alleviate that loss. 

Cameron Jordan, Chase Young, and Carl Granderson are all back as well after combining for 26.5 sacks last season. It's clear the Saints are better on paper than they were a year ago, and you can't count out anybody in the NFC South ever.

Now for the pessimistic angle 

Gagnon also made sure to point out why each team WON'T go from worst to first. Obviously, these teams finished last in their divisions for a reason, and it's hard to fix everything in one offseason. 

"This is still a fairly weak offensive line last season and the jury remains out on Shough and his young supporting cast," Gagnon said of the Saints. "A lot has to come together for a team that won five games in 2024 and six in 2025."

It may be tough to win the division, but it's easy to be confident in the Saints going forward. 

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