The Saints strategically build for the future, securing promising practice squad talent to fortify the secondary and protect their rising quarterback.
As the dust settles from the Week 18 loss against the division rival Atlanta Falcons, for the New Orleans Saints, the "re-tooling" era has officially begun. On Monday, General Manager Mickey Loomis announced the first moves of the 2026 offseason, signing eight players to reserve/future contracts.
While these aren't the splashy free-agent signings that dominate the headlines in March, they represent a vital philosophy for a team entering a transitional period under Head Coach Kellen Moore in protecting the pipeline. As seen on “X.com” via Ross Jackson, the Saints have made some post season decisions to further push the rebuild forward.
The "Futures" Eight
The list of signees includes several familiar faces who spent the 2025 season on the practice squad:
Secondary: CB Dalys Beanum, CB Beanie Bishop Jr., CB Jayden Price, S Elliott Davison
Offensive Line: T Easton Kilty, T Barry Wesley
Skill/Interior: WR Elijah Cooks, DL Coziah Izzard
Why the Secondary is the Priority
The most striking takeaway from this list is the heavy investment in the defensive backfield. With four of the eight signings coming at cornerback or safety, the Saints are clearly bracing for a volatile market.
Beanie Bishop Jr. is the name to watch here. Having appeared in all 17 games for the Steelers in 2024 before landing on the Saints' practice squad late in 2025, Bishop has the pedigree of an active-roster player. With questions surrounding the long-term status of veterans like Marshon Lattimore and the impending free agency of Alontae Taylor, keeping high-upside players like Bishop and Dalys Beanum (a 2025 rookie standout in camp) is a low-risk, high-reward insurance policy.
Protecting Tyler Shough’s Pocket
The 2025 season ended with a newfound optimism surrounding rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. However, a young QB is only as good as his protection. By locking up Easton Kilty and Barry Wesley, the Saints are ensuring they have massive bodies (both over 300 lbs) ready to compete for depth spots in training camp. Kilty, specifically, was a priority undrafted free agent in 2025, and the team clearly believes his developmental curve is pointing upward.
A Practical Start
These signings won’t win the NFC South in January, but they prevent other teams from "poaching" talent that the Saints have spent months coaching up on the practice squad.
In a year where the Saints hold the No. 8 overall pick in the draft and face a tight salary cap, filling the bottom of the roster with players who already know the playbook is the only logical way to start. It’s not about finding a superstar; it’s about finding the next "diamond in the rough" who can contribute on special teams or step in during an injury crisis.