THE COVER | NFL FUTURES New Orleans Saints 2026 Futures Profile

Team: New Orleans Saints
Division: NFC South
2025 Record: 6-11
2026 Projected Win Total: 7.5
Super Bowl Odds: +9000
NFC Championship: +3700
NFC South: +270

Odds captured: September 1, 2026 | Odds subject to change

For New Orleans specifically, the current market has the Saints around +9000 to win the Super Bowl, +3700 to win the NFC and +270 to win the NFC South, while the win total sits at 7.5, with the Over juiced to -120.

Offensive Grade: B

The Saints' biggest reason for optimism is Tyler Shough. After taking over the starting job last season, Shough went 5-4 in nine starts and finished with 2,384 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions. Now, with a full offseason in Kellen Moore's offense, expectations are considerably higher.

New Orleans also invested heavily in surrounding its young quarterback. Chris Olave remains the centerpiece after a 100-catch, 1,163-yard season, while the Saints added former Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. and selected receiver Jordyn Tyson eighth overall. The problem is that Tyson will miss the beginning of the season with a hamstring injury, while Alvin Kamara is also dealing with an MCL injury.

Still, Moore has the offensive pedigree to make this unit significantly better. His biggest challenge will be keeping the offense functional until the Saints are fully healthy.

Defensive Grade: B-

There is a fascinating contrast on the other side of the football. New Orleans actually ranked ninth in the NFL in total defense in 2025, allowing 299.8 yards per game, but several important pieces of that unit have changed.

The biggest loss is linebacker Demario Davis, who departed for the Jets. The Saints also lost Alontae Taylor and other veteran contributors, putting more responsibility on a younger defensive core. Meanwhile, defensive tackle Bryan Bresee is out for the season with an ACL injury.

There is still plenty of talent. Chase Young is coming off a 10-sack season, Cameron Jordan remains in the fold, and the Saints have invested heavily in their young defensive linemen and secondary.

The question is whether Brandon Staley can keep the defense among the league's better units while replacing so much experience.

The bet: The Saints are an intriguing Over 7.5 wins (-120) candidate. New Orleans won only six games last season, but the Saints finished 2025 with four wins in their final five games and swept the eventual division-winning Panthers. The NFC South remains highly competitive but hardly dominant, and New Orleans enters 2026 with the second-easiest schedule in the NFL, according to multiple preseason evaluations.

The Super Bowl price of +9000 is tempting, but that's a lottery ticket rather than the primary play. The more attractive futures angle is the division. At +270, New Orleans doesn't need to become an elite team — it needs Shough to take a second-year leap, Olave to remain healthy, and Moore's offense to capitalize on a favorable schedule.

The Bet: Saints Over 7.5 wins (-120). A projection of 8-9 feels reasonable, with 9-8 and an NFC South title firmly within the range of outcomes.

If Shough proves he is the quarterback the Saints believe he can be, this is one of those teams that could look considerably better in December than it does on paper in September.