Kellen Moore has been the New Orleans Saints head coach for about three months. As the team moved through its first OTA session with Moore in charge on June 2, 2026, it was clear this was a franchise in the early stages of cultural reset and foundational rebuilding.
"We gotta get it right. We gotta play really clean football," Moore told reporters after the workout. "And so, when it's not right, our guys have the urgency to get it right."
Since the Saints last posted a winning season in 2020, the organization has faced steadily mounting challenges: an aging roster, salary cap constraints, and a revolving door at quarterback. Moore inherited a team carrying roughly $112 (per Over the Cap) (per Over the Cap)million in dead cap space, a heavy tax from years of restructured contracts and questionable roster decisions.
Yet OTAs in early June are not a place for financial repairs; they serve to build habits and culture. Moore's first public practices revealed early clues about how he intends to steer the Saints back into contention.
Quarterback Room: New Hierarchy in Place
The most notable absence on June 2 was veteran quarterback Zach Wilson, who Moore confirmed would miss OTAs due to "various little personal things." Wilson joined the Saints this offseason after a brief and ineffective stint in Miami, where he completed 6-of-11 passes for 32 yards in four games in 2025. He serves primarily as depth.
That leaves the competition between Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler, where Shough appears to have gained the upper hand.
Shough, who played 11 games for the Saints last season, completed 221 of 327 passes for 2,384 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. He also contributed 186 rushing yards and scored three rushing touchdowns. While Shough's numbers don't establish him as a franchise quarterback, they represent a baseline of stability and competency at a position of longstanding uncertainty for New Orleans.
Rattler, a 2025 fifth-round pick, appeared in 9 games last season, passing for 1,586 yards and 8 touchdowns. He possesses arm talent but has yet to demonstrate consistent NFL-level decision-making and field processing.
Shough struck a confident tone when speaking to reporters. "I think we need to get better as a whole team. And I think that starts with the division," he said, adding praise for one teammate's speed and agility -- likely a nod to either Alvin Kamara or Chris Olave. Shough stressed the importance of keeping opposing defenses on their heels.
"I think you want to have the defense kind of on their heels, being able to attack all 53 and a third yards," he said.
Moore echoed this approach, emphasizing measured control of reps and managing workload through the OTA period, with the more decisive evaluation to occur during training camp. Both quarterbacks are expected to battle for the starting job with Wilson serving as insurance.
Receiving Corps: A Mix of Established Talent and Emerging Competition
Moore takes command of a wide receiver room that will look markedly different come the regular season.
Chris Olave remains the unquestioned leader of the group. In 2025, Olave caught 100 passes for 1,163 yards and 9 touchdowns, marking his third straight 1,000-yard receiving season. Moore complimented Olave's offseason work, specifically noting positive changes "from a body standpoint, as far as strengthening himself," signaling a healthy and physically prepared star entering 2026.
Beyond Olave, the depth chart is still evolving. Ja'Lynn Polk, a 2024 second-round pick formerly with New England, is making early inroads. Polk played 13 games in 2025 for the Patriots and is already building chemistry with Shough. His precision in route running could position him as a dependable third-down target, an area the Saints sought to improve.
Supporting candidates include Kevin Austin Jr., who recorded 13 catches for 140 yards and a touchdown last season, and Devaughn Vele, with 25 catches for 293 yards and two touchdowns. Other offensive weapons like Trey Palmer, Mason Tipton, and Ronnie Bell compete for rotational touches.
Moore was blunt about his expectations: "There's a ton of talent in that group... we have a lot of really good expectations for those guys."
The Saints' receiving corps beyond Olave lacks a definitive second star but could thrive through competition and scheme flexibility. Moore's philosophy appears to favor a volume-driven, multi-threat approach that leverages depth over singular star power.
Running Game and Tight Ends: Veteran Anchors and Developing Depth
Veteran running back Alvin Kamara was also absent from OTAs, with Moore confirming it was for personal reasons and cautioning against overinterpretation given the voluntary nature of workouts. Kamara remains the offensive engine, having rushed for 471 yards and a touchdown on 131 carries in 11 games last season. His yards per carry dipped to 3.6, a career low, but Kamara's skill set remains vital within the passing and screen game components.
Behind Kamara, the Saints have young depth: Kendre Miller and Devin Neal each saw notable action last season. Miller averaged 4.1 yards per carry on 47 attempts, while Neal contributed 206 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Travis Etienne Jr. remains on the roster, though his role has yet to be defined. The running back room is crowded with options but lacks a clear identity at present.
At tight end, Juwan Johnson is coming off a career year with 77 receptions, 889 yards, and 3 touchdowns, firmly established as the number one option. Meanwhile, newcomer Noah Fant, acquired from Cincinnati, offers a blend of experience and inconsistency, having put up 34 catches for 288 yards and three touchdowns in 2025. Rookie Oscar Delp, a 2026 third-round pick from Georgia, projects as a developmental piece with potential.
The offensive line features solid interior players anchored by center Erik McCoy and left tackle Taliese Fuaga. First-round pick Kelvin Banks Jr. is expected to compete for a starting role on the edge, an important test for the Saints' investment in young talent.
Defense Under Brandon Staley: Veteran Leadership and Young Talent
Brandon Staley, the new defensive coordinator, arrives after a tumultuous period in his coaching career and inherits a defense that ranked 13th in points allowed in 2025--not elite, but competitive.
The defensive line boasts veteran edge rusher Chase Young, who appeared in all 17 games last season and remains disruptive despite no longer being the dominant rookie sensation. Carl Granderson and rookie Fadil Diggs add to the rotation.
The defensive interior blends youth and experience. Bryan Bresee, a 2023 first-round pick, has flashed dominant potential, while Christen Miller, a 2026 second-rounder, brings size and power to the front. Veterans Davon Godchaux and Nathan Shepherd round out the unit.
The secondary stands out as a promising unit to watch. Kool-Aid McKinstry, a 2024 second-round pick, is considered a corner to watch after showing sticky coverage in his 15 rookie games, despite a previous foot injury hampering his draft stock. Martin Emerson Jr., acquired via trade, offers a physical presence at cornerback, while Justin Reid brings valuable playoff experience at safety.
While the Saints are unlikely to consistently shut down opposing offenses in 2026, Staley's ability to generate pressure and the growth of McKinstry could elevate the defense to a level sufficient for competitive games.
Looking Ahead: Progress Over Perfection
The 2026 New Orleans Saints enter this season in a clear transitional phase--balancing experience and youth, guided by a new coaching staff with a vision for foundational improvement.
With the quarterback competition underway, a receiving corps blending star power and depth, and a defense mixing promising youth with established veterans, the team shows threads of hope. Yet challenges remain: a tough salary cap situation, lingering roster holes, and the overarching task of restoring winning culture.
Moore spoke about urgency and discipline; Shough emphasized spreading the field; Polk demonstrated confidence. These elements, though not guarantees, present more promise than the team showed entering last season.
The long road back to contention is gradual. The franchise has tasted success before. The question is whether Kellen Moore can steer them back to respectability.
For now, the Saints have taken their initial steps. The first pass has been thrown, the first rep taken. The months ahead will test how these early signs translate into meaningful results.