New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) fire up the team before they host the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first preseason game at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026.
STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID GRUNFELD
The New Orleans Saints kicked off the 60th season in franchise history Saturday with an exhibition game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The game itself — a mostly forgettable 24-20 Jacksonville win — was less notable than the aura that suffused it. A new vibe, one filled with hope and optimism, accompanies this Saints team, and it was tangible on the sideline and in the stands at the Caesars Superdome.
In the end, the Saints fell one play and 2 yards short of completing a last-second comeback win, but the final score did little to diminish the positive energy and momentum the Saints are feeling these days.
“It was the first game for a lot of our younger players, and our message before the game was, ‘Go for it,’ ” coach Kellen Moore said. “It was a fun game. We started off fast, and we had an opportunity at the end. I love the way our guys competed. A really good battle for our guys.”
The fresh vibe and new direction were apparent before kickoff when Tyler Shough took over the duty of leading the Saints’ pregame huddle, cementing his status as the team’s unequivocal leader in his second season.
The pregame chant wasn’t the only thing new. The club’s game-day operations staff rolled out a new hype video along with a discounted menu at the concession stands. There was even a new group of faces in the team’s cheer crew.
Likewise, there were also a lot of new faces on the field, as the Saints elected to rest most of their regulars so Moore and staff could get an extended look at their backups.
One of those new faces, Ty Chandler, got the party started early with an 86-yard return of the opening kickoff. Seconds later, Audric Estime was skirting around left end for a 9-yard touchdown run, and “Stand Up and Get Crunk” was pulsing through the Superdome sound system.
In between, several other new faces flashed.
Veteran quarterback Zach Wilson served notice that he plans to challenge Spencer Rattler for the backup job by carving up the Jaguars' reserve defense. He completed 11 of 16 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown for a nifty 118.0 passer rating.
If Wilson keeps it up, the Saints might just have a new backup quarterback, because Rattler was less than impressive, connecting on 8 of 11 passes for 42 yards and losing a costly fumble deep in his own territory.
The game also served as a first look at the Saints’ 2026 draft class (other than Jordyn Tyson), and for the most part, it was a promising debut.
Rookie defensive tackle Christen Miller showed the stout run-stuffing skills that led the Saints to select him in the second round. He finished with four tackles in about a half of work.
Massive right guard Jeremiah Wright wreaked havoc early on before noticeably hitting a wall. He’s going to be fun to watch in the trenches.
And kicker Tanner Brown showed off his powerful right leg with a pair of field goals, including a 49-yarder.
There were plenty of other highlights.
Jayden Price continued his ascension with a beautiful read and interception of Carter Bradley in the second quarter.
Undrafted free agent edge rusher Michael Heldman was a one-man highlight reel in the second half. He finished with six tackles, including team-highs of three tackles for loss and two sacks.
“We started fast, and that’s been a point of emphasis this offseason,” Moore said. “We have to learn the sustaining part of this thing, but I was really proud of the way our guys competed tonight.”
While every NFL season tends to feel new in August, this one has felt distinctly different throughout the offseason. The vibe. The voices. The faces. Just about everything feels fresh and new.
With longtime stalwarts Demario Davis and Taysom Hill gone, and Cam Jordan and Alvin Kamara in reduced roles, a new group of front men has emerged. Shough, Chase Young, Kaden Elliss, Kool-Aid McKinstry, Travis Etienne and David Edwards have stepped into the fore and will lead this team along with veteran holdovers Erik McCoy, Chris Olave, Zach Wood and Justin Reid.
This feels — and acts — like a new team.
Whether it’s new and improved remains to be seen. The regular season will provide the referendum.