Explosive special teams returns and a productive trio of quarterbacks provide a silver lining for New Orleans after a narrow exhibition collapse against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The New Orleans Saints' preseason is underway after the weekend. The Saints opened with a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, 24-20.
Though an exhibition game, the matchup yielded a frustrating result. The Saints blew a 14-point lead and squandered an opportunity to open in the win column.
The frustrating thing about preseason is the lose-lose nature of the games. When you lose, it feels like a regular season loss. When you win, it doesn't feel like a regular season win.
Despite the disappointment, some players stood out for their admirable efforts. Here's some of what neworleanssaints.com recorded on those players in their game notes. They wrote the following on notable performers.
"Ty Chandler set up New Orleans' first touchdown after taking the opening kickoff 86 yards to Jacksonville's nine-yard line. Chandler added six carries for 24 yards. Chandler's return was the Saints the longest kickoff return in the preseason since a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Larry Beavers at New England on Aug. 12, 2010.
Audric Estimé scored the first touchdown with a nine-yard rush on the first play of the opening possession. Estime carried five times for 28 yards. It was the first time the Saints scored a touchdown on their opening preseason drive since Aug. 13, 2023, vs. Kansas City.
Spencer Rattler got the start and completed eight-of-11 passes for 42 yards. Zach Wilson relieved Rattler midway though the second quarter and completed 11-of-16 passes for 145 yards with a one-yard touchdown pass to rookie Oscar Delp. Hunter Dekkers took over in the fourth quarter and completed 8-of-15 for 69 yards, leading the Saints to the Jacksonville two-yard line for the final play of the contest.
Bub Means had four receptions for a game-high 77 yards. Rookie WR/RS Barion Brown caught four balls for 53 yards."
Aug 15, 2026; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Damien Alford (85) misses a catch on the final play of the game against Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Jabbar Muhammad (37) at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn ImagesObviously, you play to win, not just to have bright spots, but the Saints don't have to look hard to find silver linings. They can find them in the backfield in particular.
Many were not sure what to expect when the Saints added Ty Chandler from the Minnesota Vikings. That acquisition is looking to have been a resoundingly positive move after a special teams impact play.
The quarterback position was productive netting 256 passing yards from the aforementioned trio.
The Saints will hope to build on their last performance as they gear up for a pivotal 2026 NFL season.
