“He’s certainly on the roster and part of the running back room,” the head coach said to reporters from the league meeting in Arizona. “We feel like there’s ways to manipulate all of those guys and put them in plenty of situations.

“Plenty of running backs play. Obviously we feel fortunate that we were able to acquire Travis in free agency, but there’s still a lot of work there to be had out there.”

What is Kamara’s current situation in NOLA?

Financially, the Saints recently restructured Kamara’s contract using the “50 percent rule,” a move that cleared over $8 million in cap space for 2026 without adding future guaranteed debt. This flexibility allows the front office to keep the franchise icon for the upcoming season or move on after June 1 with minimal dead money—a decision that remains a “full offseason process” as the team balances veteran leadership with younger talent.

Teams eyeing the Saints’ gem

The Denver Broncos are widely considered the favorites due to Kamara‘s history with Sean Payton, while the Washington Commanders and Jacksonville Jaguars (who just lost Etienne) have been identified as suitors in need of a versatile, veteran pass-catcher. Other dark-horse candidates include the Baltimore Ravens, who could pair him with Derrick Henry, and the Seattle Seahawks, who are seeking backfield depth following Zach Charbonnet’s injury and Kenneth Walker’s departure.

New Orleans’ intriguing backfield

Kellen Moore will have the privilege of fielding a highly dangerous ground game to support Tyler Shough. Behind the aforementioned Kamara and Etienne, these are the RBs who will represent the Gold and Black in 2026.

• Kendre Miller
• Devin Neal
• Ty Chandler
• Audric Estime
• Evan Hull

While Kellen Moore didn’t speak on Alvin Kamara’s future, the message for the new faces coming in is clear now. According to Moore,“I think if there’s a theme, a bunch of high-character guys, guys that we love in this locker room, that are going to be great teammates, great people in this community, and obviously we certainly recognize the ability for them to perform on the field. It’ll be a lot of fun.”

And the Saints really need those kinds of guys. After a dreadful start to the 2025 NFL season, they started to show character and glimpses of a good future down the stretch. Hence, bringing more productive, high-character guys could boost this team to new heights.

Etienne is coming off a career-resurgence year

After having two 1,000-yard seasons, Etienne‘s third year in the NFL was very worrisome. He basically cut his production in half and had only two touchdowns. It was not a great look. However, with the arrival of Liam Coen as the Jaguars head coach, Etienne was once again a deadly threat.

He resurfaced as a top-tier back with 1,399 scrimmage yards and a career-high 13 total touchdowns. Now, the Saints get a young, dual-threat back to keep the production going. After Alvin Kamara, having Etienne means the playbook basically remains the same.

Etienne might be the best thing to happen to Tyler Shough

Tyler Shough overcame expectations last year. No one had really much to hope for with Shough. However, he started nine games and had a 5-4 record, completing 67.6% of his passes for 2,384 yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Still, Shough needs help. He doesn’t have the best arm and he wants to take care of the ball. Hence, having a weapon that can catch passes from the backfield is just a gift from heaven. Also, Kellen Moore is a highly effective playcaller, so he can easily draw some productive plays for the two.

“Uhhh, I’m not going to get into all of that stuff. I haven’t had those conversations, anyways,” Kellen Moore admitted during a press conference when asked about Alvin Kamara possibly eyeing retirement, via @UnderdogNFL on X.

Kamara is signed to a contract through the 2026 NFL season. If the running back and organization both want to make it happen, Kamara can stay with the Saints for another year, though sharing the backfield with Etienne.

However, the latest half-back addition may signal New Orleans is steering in a different direction. Moore’s offense may not be big enough to accommodate both stars. Perhaps, there’s a new sheriff in “The Big Easy”.

Etienne’s signing could spell trouble for Kamara

Signing Etienne to a four-year, $52 million contract allowed the Saints to breathe a sigh of relief. However—unless Kamara made it known he’s considered stepping away from the NFL—it also puts Kamara on notice.

Etienne may not be as threatening as Kamara is on a receiving back role, but he can still make magic happen. Moreover, Etienne is younger, faster, and—most importantly—less injury-prone than Kamara. So far in his four-season career, Etienne has only missed two games.

As for Kamara, injuries have caused him to miss 23 regular season games. Kamara only managed to stay healthy through his rookie season (2017). Since, he’s missed at least one game every year. It’s not like “AK41” has dealt with a recurring issue, either. Instead, he has come down with several, different injuries, such as concussions, knee and ankle sprains, and rib fractures, per Sportskeeda.

In those plans is the name of Chris Olave, one of the most sought-after players during the last trade deadline. Despite interest from several teams, the wide receiver wants to stay with the Saints for a long time.

During a recent chat with Kay Adams on the Up & Adams Show, the former Ohio State Buckeyes player revealed that negotiations for his contract extension are underway, and he dreams of staying with the franchise for good.

“It’s in the works…I want to be in New Orleans forever,” he said. The talented wideout is one of the key pieces in Moore’s offense, making his retention a significant boost for a franchise currently in the midst of a rebuild.

Olave’s numbers in New Orleans

Despite the New Orleans Saints‘ disappointing 2-8 start to the 2025 season, wide receiver Chris Olave continues to cement his status as a reliable top target. Through 10 games, Olave leads the team with 60 receptions for 664 receiving yards, averaging 11.1 yards per catch.

He has also found the end zone 4 times, including a highlight-reel 62-yard reception. Currently on pace to surpass 1,100 yards for the season, the young wideout remains the focal point of the Saints’ passing attack, providing a consistent threat even as the offense struggles for cohesion.

What’s next for the Saints?

The New Orleans Saints face a critical three-game sequence that will likely determine their fate in the NFC South. The stretch begins at home against a surging divisional rival, the Atlanta Falcons, a must-win game to keep pace in the division. Immediately following is a brutal road trip to Florida, where they will take on the high-powered Miami Dolphins.

The challenging run culminates with another crucial divisional road game against the reigning NFC South champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. For the 2-8 Saints, a series of upsets is required if they hope to salvage any playoff aspirations.

Having their top players available could be a key factor, and fortunately for Kellen Moore and the Saints, both Kamara and Shaheed are expected to play after being listed as questionable for this matchup.

The news was confirmed by NFL reporter Ian Rapoport, who shared the update on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, highlighting this important development for an offense that cannot afford any more setbacks for the remainder of the season.

“RB Alvin Kamara (ankle) and WR Rashid Shaheed (hip) are both listed as questionable and both are expected to play, sources say,” the insider reported via @RapSheet.

Two weapons for Shough

The Saints offense is at a critical juncture as rookie Tyler Shough prepares for his first NFL start. With him taking the New Orleans Saints’ QB1 role after Spencer Rattler’s benching, the pressure is squarely on proven playmakers like running back Alvin Kamara and explosive wide receiver Rashid Shaheed to become the rookie quarterback’s primary security blankets.

Kamara, despite dealing with a nagging ankle issue, needs to re-establish himself as a dynamic threat in both the run and short passing game to ease Shough‘s transition. Similarly, Shaheed, whose deep-play ability is a constant threat, must ensure consistency and reliability on intermediate routes.

Their ability to deliver high-volume, impactful performances will be paramount in giving the young signal-caller the support needed to stabilize a struggling Saints offense.

Thinking about what’s ahead

The New Orleans Saints are at a pivotal point in their 2025 campaign, and with the Week 11 bye looming, the immediate future is all about securing wins. The next two weeks are non-negotiable for an organization fighting to stay relevant, despite having turned to rookie quarterback Tyler Shough.

First up is a difficult road matchup against the surging Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood, followed by a crucial divisional battle against the Carolina Panthers. With the NFC South still mathematically in reach, these two contests before the Week 11 break are absolutely critical.

Head Coach Kellen Moore must galvanize his squad to maximize the win total from this two-game stretch—even one victory would provide much-needed momentum and stability for Shough as they head into their week off, proving the team is fully committed to a win-now approach.

One of the players making the biggest waves in trade rumors is talented wide receiver Chris Olave. Despite his team’s struggles, many rivals are eager to acquire his services through a potential trade.

Despite this situation, the Saints reportedly have no intention of parting ways with one of their top stars. In fact, they are seriously considering offering a lucrative contract extension to one of the best players at his position in the league.

“The Saints have been trying to work out a long-term contract for receiver Chris Olave despite his name being attached to teams looking for pass catchers,” the reporter Diana Russini said.

Alongside Olave, there’s been a lot of talk about Alvin Kamara’s future. However, it seems the Saints have no plans to part ways with either player—at least in the short term.

Olave’s numbers in New Orleans

Since joining the New Orleans Saints as the 11th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, wide receiver Chris Olave has consistently proven to be the focal point of the team’s passing attack, already racking up impressive career totals.

Through the 2024 season, Olave had surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving mark in both his 2022 rookie year (1,042 yards on 72 receptions with four TDs) and his sophomore campaign in 2023 (1,123 yards on 87 receptions with five TDs).

Despite an injury-shortened 2024, the former Ohio State standout has compiled a career total of 2,907 receiving yards on 230 receptions with 11 touchdowns across 45 games, firmly establishing himself as one of the league’s top young wideouts.

Turning the season around with Rattler at the helm

The New Orleans Saints’ 2025 season has quickly devolved into a must-win scenario, with the team limping into Week 7 at a dismal 1-5 record, placing them last in the NFC South.

With a challenging slate of games looming, including a pivotal divisional matchup against the first-place Buccaneers in Week 8, the pressure is mounting on Head Coach Kellen Moore‘s squad to secure wins immediately.

The Saints need to address their systemic issues—which have included a struggle for offensive consistency, untimely penalties, and a suspect run defense—if they hope to avoid a disastrous season and climb out of the NFC South basement. Their upcoming schedule, which also features matchups against the Rams and a road game against the Dolphins, offers no easy outs, making this next stretch absolutely crucial for the franchise’s trajectory.

Shortly after the announcement, Shough‘s agent went viral with a four-word message on social media. “I like the plan,” Erik Burkhardt wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

With only four words, Burkhardt showed optimism in his client’s future with the team. His comments suggest that, even though Rattler is getting the upper hand for now, he believes the Saints are just waiting for the right moment to promote Shough.

Moore explains why he chose Rattler over Shough

However, Moore appears to have no intention of changing his mind later in the year. Speaking to the press, the Saints head coach explained the reasons behind his decision to start Rattler over Shough.

“We’re not getting into this QB debate throughout the season. Spencer’s our starting quarterback. Tyler’s gonna continue to develop,” Moore said, explaining how much the coaching staff believes in Rattler. “We’re really excited about Spencer. We think he’s gonna do an awesome job for us.

“He’s just been consistent. He’s made some really good decisions throughout this whole entire process and his ability to make plays with his arm and his feet have certainly showed up.”

What’s the age difference between Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough?

Though Shough’s agent reacted with an optimistic tone, fans believe he’s just pretending. Many users point to the fact that his client is exactly one year older than Rattler, which is why he shouldn’t be so calm about this situation.

Even though Shough is entering his rookie year in the NFL as a second-round pick, he will turn 26 next month. Rattler’s birthday is also on September 28, but he will turn 25 instead.

Rattler joined the Saints as a fifth-round pick in 2024. Still, having one season under his belt may have proved the difference in the QB battle this offseason. Only time will tell whether he proves Moore right or if Shough gets a chance to overtake Rattler on the depth chart.

In what ended up being a 27-13 win for the Chargers in their first preseason game, Moore got a chance to see both the former Louisville standout and Spencer Rattler in action — arguably the two leading candidates to start in Week 1 — pushing Jake Haener down the depth chart.

After the game, the first-time NFL head coach spoke to the media and shared his thoughts on Shough’s performance, stating that the young quarterback will need to learn from his mistakes in order to keep growing.

“That’s what is going to happen in this league as you go through these seasons and so I thought he did a great job,” Moore said via the team’s website. “We’ll learn from the interception, we’ll learn from that one, we’ll grow, but his response was really valuable.”

During his time on the field, the rookie went 15-of-22 for 165 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in his debut as a Saint.

Rattler, the other main contender

Although Moore has not officially spoken about who will be his starting quarterback for the Saints’ season opener on September 7th against the Arizona Cardinals at home, the former Eagles OC knows he has enough talent to fill that role.

Spencer Rattler arrived in New Orleans in 2024, but having Derek Carr ahead of him kept him from seeing the action he hoped for, although he finally got his chance due to the injury of the now-retired QB. Moore, on his part, saw promising signs from the former South Carolina quarterback in his performance against the Chargers last weekend.

“I thought Spencer (Rattler) did some good stuff coming out of there, using his feet in some situations where he had some avoided zone areas,” he said. “He was able to make some plays out of. Probably for us just playing some situational football, we were close on getting in the range for some points and we just weren’t able to get those things done.”

The race for QB1

The competition for the QB1 spot in the Saints’ camp is heating up as the season approaches. With Derek Carr’s retirement, the battle for the starting job is now a three-way race between Jake Haener, Spencer Rattler, and Tyler Shough.

While new head coach Kellen Moore has yet to name a definitive starter, all three quarterbacks are vying for the position in what promises to be a compelling training camp and preseason. The performance of each player during this crucial period will ultimately determine who gets the nod to lead the Saints’ offense.

With Derek Carr now out of the picture following his retirement, and uncertainty still surrounding the starting quarterback position, the team is looking to reclaim its place in the NFC South — and perhaps even dream of a deep playoff run.

As the weeks go by, it will be a matter of watching how this team’s game develops. The Saints are going through a key phase of restructuring and are determined to return to the spotlight as one of the league’s top contenders.

Former UFL player joins the Saints

The week wrapped up with news of a new addition to Kellen Moore’s team — a player who, after entering the NFL, was unable to secure a spot on the Atlanta Falcons’ 2024 roster.

This past Friday, the Saints officially announced on their website the addition of Jayden Price to their offseason roster. Price entered the league out of North Dakota State and was originally drafted by the Falcons. However, he couldn’t secure a spot on Raheem Morris’s squad and continued his career with the Arlington Renegades.

With this move, the Saints secure a defensive player with notable talent and athleticism — someone who could prove to be a key backup option should the need for depth arises throughout the season.

Expectations for the Saints’ new season

The New Orleans Saints are set for a significant transition heading into the upcoming season. With quarterback Derek Carr’s unexpected retirement due to a shoulder injury, the team is embarking on a new era. Kellen Moore takes the helm as the new head coach, bringing his offensive philosophy to a franchise eager for a fresh start.

All signs point to rookie Spencer Rattler stepping in as the starting QB. This marks a pivotal moment for the Saints, as they will rely on a young signal-caller to lead their offense. The focus will be on developing Rattler and integrating him into Moore’s system, while simultaneously seeking to establish a competitive team identity.

Despite these major changes, the Saints’ primary objective remains clear: to contend for a playoff spot. They aim to re-establish themselves as a postseason contender, navigating a challenging division and conference with a new leadership structure and a promising, yet unproven, quarterback at the forefront.

The first games of the regular season

• vs Arizona Cardinals, September 7th
• vs San Francisco 49ers, September 14th
• @ Seattle Seahawks, September 21st
• @ Buffalo Bills, September 28th
• vs New York Giants, October 5th

The talented player, who entered the league out of Ohio State, has been linked to potential trade rumors that could further weaken an offense still lacking a clear starting quarterback.

For this reason, head coach Kellen Moore addressed the media and made it clear he’s not at all concerned about the trade rumors. He praised Olave’s strong performance and positive attitude throughout the offseason.

“I wouldn’t worry too much about that,” Moore said during his press conference. “We feel really, really good about Chris. He’s had an excellent offseason, he’s had an excellent career so far and he’s going to have an excellent future.”

In his most recent season, in which he appeared in only eight games due to a serious concussion, Olave recorded 400 receiving yards. He has also averaged 65.8 yards per game over the course of his career.

What will happen with the starting QB?

With Derek Carr stepping away from football due to a lingering shoulder injury, the New Orleans Saints are entering the 2025 season with a major question mark at quarterback. New head coach Kellen Moore will be tasked with choosing the Week 1 starter from a group of unproven but promising talents.

Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler, and Hunter Dekkers are all in the mix to take over under center. Each brings a different skill set to the table, and early training camp reps will be crucial in determining who earns the job. Their development will be closely watched as the HC builds his offense from the ground up.

Jake Haener was expected to be part of the competition but is currently sidelined with an oblique strain. His absence adds more urgency for the remaining candidates to step up and seize the opportunity. With time ticking down, all eyes in New Orleans are on the quarterback battle.

Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough are the leading candidates to earn the starting role heading into Week 1 for Kellen Moore’s team. However, the head coach has yet to make a definitive statement regarding who will ultimately be named the starter.

In recent comments to the media, Cooks spoke about the healthy competition among the quarterbacks currently on the roster, noting that it will be a strong internal battle for the team this offseason.

“Yeah, absolutely it should bring the best out of you,” Cooks told reporters, via the team website. “It’s fun seeing those guys compete. All three of them are having a great spring. So, it’s going to be fun to watch that competition.”

Rattler or Shough? Cooks weighs in

Derek Carr’s sudden decision to step away from professional football sparked a debate within the franchise about who should be his natural successor. With the idea of bringing in a veteran no longer on the table, the HC will now have to choose from the quarterbacks currently on the roster.

While, as of now, the leading candidates to start in Week 1 are Spencer Rattler and rookie Tyler Shough, Kellen Moore could also ultimately opt for Jake Haener — although his chances appear to be slimmer.

Brandin Cooks returned to the team that saw him begin his NFL career after stints with the Patriots, Rams, Texans, and Cowboys, and he didn’t shy away from the conversation about who might be throwing him the ball this upcoming season.

“They’re playing with a lot of confidence, both of those guys,” Cooks said of Shough and Rattler. “And you can see the competition going on. They can definitely sling it. So, I look forward to continuing to see that grow.”