Kellen Moore Details What Saints Look for in Building around QB Tyler Shough

The New Orleans Saints are ushering in a new era with head coach Kellen Moore. With a new era comes the loss of fan favorites.

The Saints have had to part with a few key members of their organization in defensive lineman Cameron Jordan, linebacker Demario Davis and dual threat, all-purpose quarterback Taysom Hill. Despite restructuring the contract of star running back Alvin Kamara, the productive player isn't a lock to play for the team in 2026 either.

With that, many are wondering what approach the Saints organization with take in finding players to replace the once indispensable members of their franchise. Head coach Kellen Moore shed light on the type of player the team looks for in free agency and, by extension, through the draft.

"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."

Culture is paramount for any team but certainly is key for a Saints squad with a young quarterback leading New Orleans. Moore shared what the team's solid footing means for starting quarterback Tyler Shough entering his second season in the NFL.

"I certainly think having some stability there and having Tyler (Shough) in the position that he's in, I think certainly gives you a lot of confidence. And I think it gives a much cleaner picture for players than when they're looking at this place and, 'Okay, what's the opportunity going to look like?' It's an important aspect."

Shough is not fragile. More than likely, he has recognized there would be some doubting his second-round draft designation even if able to block out the outside noise. Even so, finding good teammates that are easy to work with bodes well for not only Shough but Kellen Moore early in his NFL head coaching career. The Saints can simply focus on football without added distractions.

Jordan, Davis and Hill were all team guys. New Orleans is not actively looking to find players that are different than them. The Saints, instead, might even be looking at those former franchise cornerstones as blueprints for the type of teammates they want leading the locker room in the next decade of New Orleans football.

The Saints may not be primed to relive the glory days of the Sean Payton and Drew Brees era, but they are set up for success. It all starts with finding the right fits to build around over the next decade.