METAIRIE, La. — The New Orleans Saints begin training camp Wednesday coming off a 6-11 season in which they won four of their final five games and established Tyler Shough as their starting quarterback, the team noted heading into coach Kellen Moore’s second camp.
The front office addressed several roster needs in free agency and the draft. New arrivals include punter Ryan Wright, running back Travis Etienne Jr. and guard David Edwards. The team used a first-round pick on wide receiver Jordyn Tyson and also added Bryce Lance and Barion Brown to the receiver room. Tight end Noah Fant was signed and Oscar Delp drafted, while Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill are no longer with the club. Linebacker Demario Davis departed, with Kaden Elliss expected to fill that role.
The receiving corps is deeper than a season ago but remains top-heavy. Chris Olave — who did not play in the Saints’ final game of 2025 — and Tyson are projected to draw most of the attention, while Dante Pettis, Audric Estime and Kevin Austin Jr. were Shough’s primary targets when Olave was absent. Ronnie Bell’s lone receiving touchdown in the season finale highlighted how depleted the group had been, and additions such as Ja’Lynn Polk give the club more options. New signing Fant could provide another target if he rebounds after a down year in Cincinnati.
The offensive line drew focus this offseason after Shough was sacked 31 times in 2025. Edwards was signed to strengthen the interior, but the play of right guard Cesar Ruiz and the availability of center Erik McCoy — who has played 14 games over the past two seasons — are still question marks. General manager Mickey Loomis praised Ruiz’s competitiveness and said the line’s commitment in offseason work was encouraging, adding that McCoy is a Pro Bowl-caliber player when healthy.
The safety group includes veteran Justin Reid and Julian Blackmon, a five-year starter in Indianapolis who was injured in Week 1 last season and is expected to return alongside Reid. Second-year player Jonas Sanker is likely to take over the Star role and work in the slot; coach Kellen Moore said the team will give Sanker ample exposure there while preparing other players at the position. Outside of those areas, several defensive positions remain a work in progress as camp opens.
