The NFL Combine is behind us, free agency is about to ignite, and the 2026 NFL Draft looms on the horizon. For the New Orleans Saints, this offseason period demands precise execution of a plan focused on addressing several major roster and cap challenges. ESPN reporter Katherine Terrell recently outlined the Saints' 2026 offseason priorities, highlighting three core focuses: revitalizing a struggling run game, finding stability at left guard, and navigating the uncertain future of quarterback Derek Carr.
This is not a mere wish list but a strategic blueprint aimed at restoring competitiveness in a fiercely contested NFC South division. General Manager Mickey Loomis and head coach Kellen Moore face the ongoing puzzle of maximizing a mostly veteran roster while adeptly managing a complex salary cap picture. Terrell's detailed report, informed by combine insights and insider sources, provides a clear roadmap for the team's plans this spring.
Priority One: Reviving the Ground Attack
The Saints' running game has been notably stunted in recent years, marked by inconsistent production and an inability to assert physical dominance. The glory days of a ball-control, clock-consuming running attack seem distant as the team ranked near the bottom of the league in rushing last season. This imbalance placed unwelcome added pressure on the passing game and made short-yardage and red-zone success an uphill battle.
The root causes are multifaceted. A noticeable weakness in interior offensive line play has limited creation of effective running lanes. The running back position has seen constant turnover driven by injuries and underperformance. Additionally, questions linger surrounding the offensive scheme's effectiveness and adaptability.
The Saints plan a comprehensive approach to remedying this. The team is expected to be active both in free agency and the draft, searching for a dynamic running back capable of being a workhorse: someone with vision, power running style, and the toughness to generate yards after contact. But equally critical is bolstering the offensive line, underscoring the vital link to the next priority.
Priority Two: Securing a Rock at Left Guard
The exit of longtime cornerstone Andrus Peat has left the Saints scrambling to fill the left guard position effectively. Last season was marred by instability at this critical interior offensive line spot, with a rotating cast filling the gap but failing to deliver consistent results. This inconsistency negatively affected not only run blocking but also pass protection, creating challenges for quarterback Derek Carr and the backfield alike.
Sources quoted by Terrell indicate that the Saints are prioritizing finding a dependable starter at left guard. The target profile is a player with the size, strength, and mobility to handle diverse run schemes and withstand elite interior pass rushers. The team faces a choice between pursuing a veteran free agent for immediate impact or investing a draft asset to cultivate a younger, cost-controlled solution.
Given the salary cap realities and the importance of developing sustainable depth, using a premium draft pick on a guard prospect appears highly likely. Stabilizing the offensive line will be instrumental in improving both facets of the offense -- the passing attack and the revitalized running game.
Priority Three: Navigating the Derek Carr Situation
No discussion of the Saints' offseason is complete without addressing the complicated status of quarterback Derek Carr. The veteran signal-caller, who originally inked a multi-year deal upon his arrival in New Orleans, currently resides on the reserve-retired list following his decision to step away from football prior to the 2025 season.
While Carr is not actively on the roster nor participating in team activities, the Saints retain his rights under his existing contract. This means the team must plan for multiple possibilities: Carr could choose to come out of retirement and return to the lineup, or he could remain retired indefinitely.
Managing Carr's contract situation is thus an ongoing financial and roster dilemma, weighing the salary cap impact of his contract against the uncertainty of his playing status. The 2026 cap figure is significant, and the Saints have demonstrated expertise in potential restructures or extensions that could provide short-term relief while maintaining long-term flexibility.
Strategically, the team must decide whether Carr remains the most viable starter for the near future or if 2026 will be the year the Saints pivot toward a younger quarterback option--potentially grooming one through the draft or free agency. How the team balances commitment to Carr with ongoing investments in quarterback depth will be a defining feature of the offseason.
The Interdependence of Offseason Objectives
What makes this offseason particularly complex is how interwoven these priorities are. An improved run game reduces pressure on the quarterback, enhancing passing efficiency and potentially prolonging Carr's effectiveness should he return. A fortified left guard position is critical to realizing improvements in both run and pass blocking.
At the same time, resolving Carr's status impacts salary cap decisions, draft strategy, and the overall direction for the offense. The team is unlikely to successfully tackle these challenges in isolation. Instead, a coordinated approach that blends veteran free agency acquisitions with draft investments in the offensive line, running back, and quarterback positions is expected.
The Saints' approach will likely see targeted additions to the roster that can contribute immediately while also cultivating young talent to sustain long-term competitiveness. As the NFL's legal tampering window opens and the draft board begins to crystalize, the focus in the Saints' war room will be sharp and deliberate.
Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond
The offseason checklist outlined by ESPN and Katherine Terrell gives fans a transparent look at the complexity and urgency facing the New Orleans Saints as they prepare for the 2026 NFL season. The combined need to restore balance to the offense, stabilize the offensive line, and clarify the quarterback position underscores a pivotal moment for the franchise.
With Kellen Moore at the helm as head coach and Doug Nussmeier directing the offense, the Saints appear committed to systematic improvement. GM Mickey Loomis's deft roster and salary cap management will be tested in equal measure.
Ultimately, the success of this offseason's moves will determine whether the Saints can ascend back to prominence in the NFC South or find themselves stumbling in another season of mediocrity. The time for strategic planning is closing; the era of decisive action has begun.