Saints build around emerging star quarterback Tyler Shough. Can they surge past rivals and contend for a playoff spot in the competitive NFC South?
The New Orleans Saints approach a pivotal 2026 season as it looks to inch back toward contention in the NFC South. The challenge now facing the team is a division in which nobody was great, but certainly no team was bad.
Presumably one of the other divisional teams ahead of the Saints, all of which finished with seven wins or more, will break out in the 2026 season.
As we look ahead, let's predict where teams will end up next year.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10-7
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are loaded with potential starting with star quarterback Baker Mayfield. The Bucs started the season out to a hot start but fell apart as the year went progressed. The Bucs may have been better than their record would indicate, like virtually the rest of the division, but fell to an 8-9 record due to lack of consistency.
The Bucs' fall was not for lack of production from Mayfield. Yet as they consistently saw themselves in position to win games, the defense and special teams squandered opportunities in more than one game. We'll see if the team can turn it around in 2026.
2. New Orleans Saints 9-8
The Saints enter the offseason on a hot streak after winning four of their last five games to end last season. Tyler Shough's emergence is perhaps the biggest revelation of the team's last campaign.
Shough accomplished several milestones in individual games, single-season marks and multi-game stretches statistically crossing the 300-yard mark in multiple games as a passer. Now the team can build around Shough's ability and add another playmaker or two to make the offense even more explosive than it was last season.
The team is expected to attempt to add a star wide receiver or Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love in the first round of the NFL draft. If they can, look for the Saints to push for a playoff spot next year.
New Orleans Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry (4) reacts after a play against the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Brett Davis-Imagn Images3. Atlanta Falcons 9-8
New head coach Kevin Stefanski comes in with a reputation for making the most of the talent he had. With star running back Bijan Robinson and young quarterback Michael Penix, there is plenty of potential for the Falcons to become a playoff contender in 2026.
4. Carolina Panthers 6-11
The Carolina Panthers broke out last year but will face a first place schedule this season. The team may rise to the occasion, but they could also regress. Look for the other NFC South opponents to overtake Carolina in 2026.