News Saints Team Notes

[New Orleans Saints]

Saints announce 2 minicamp practices to be open to the public

Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Fans can reserve their free tickets for the June 10 and June 11 practices starting on Tuesday morning.

The New Orleans Saints have announced that two of the team’s minicamp practices on Tuesday, June 10, and Wednesday, June 11, at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie will be open to the public.

Saints announce June 10 and June 11 Minicamp practices to be open to the public!

https://t.co/tBnPz46h6n

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 12, 2025​

The practices will start at 11:50 a.m. each day. This will be Saints fans first opportunity for to see the team under new head coach Kellen Moore, as well as all of their 2025 NFL Draft picks including OT Kelvin Banks Jr. and QB Tyler Shough.

Tickets for the 2025 Saints minicamp practices are free of charge, but capacity is limited. Saints season ticketholders will be able to reserve tickets via their account manager starting at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13. The general public will be able to reserve their tickets for practices by registering at www.neworleanssaints.com/minicamp/, in the official Saints mobile app or on the SeatGeek app, starting at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning.

---

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...2-minicamp-practices-to-be-open-to-the-public

 

[New Orleans Saints]

Saints make a handful of roster moves following this weekend’s rookie minicamp

New Orleans has signed two players while releasing two.

The New Orleans Saints held their rookie minicamp this past weekend, which was attended by their 9 NFL Draft picks, 11 UDFA’s and 16 tryout players. Now that those practices are over, the team’s evaluations have been concluded which has resulted in the Saints making a handful of roster moves.

According to Nick Underhill with NewOrleans.Football, the Saints have released DB Millard Bradford and RB Jordan Mims.

The Saints are releasing DB Millard Bradford and RB Jordan Mims

— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) May 12, 2025​

They are also signing DB Terrell Burgess as well as rookie QB Hunter Dekkers to a one-year deal, pending a physical. Both Burgess and Dekkers were in the group of 16 players that were invited to try out by the team. Dekkers will now join Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener in the quarterback’s group.

---

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...moves-following-this-weekends-rookie-minicamp

 

[New Orleans Saints]

Should the Saints still look to add a veteran WR after signing Donovan Peoples-Jones?

Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images

Kennan Allen and others are still out there.

The New Orleans Saints made a sneaky good signing earlier this week when they signed former Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones to a one-year deal, but do they need to add another veteran to the equation?

Ever since they came out of the draft without a wide receiver, the Saints have been in the market for another target on the outside. There was a lot of speculation over whether or not they’d target someone like Kennan Allen or Amari Cooper, and while that’s still a possibility, they decided to bring Peoples-Jones into rookie minicamp and try him out. It obviously went well because the Saints signed him not too long after, but I don’t think they should be done shopping quite yet.

In my opinion, I think bringing a veteran WR in should be high on their list of priorities despite this signing. Peoples-Jones is a very solid wide receiver, don’t get me wrong. He was an 800-yard receiver in 2022 and had three solid years with the Browns, but the production hasn’t quite been there in recent years, and I don’t know how comfortable you are rolling him out there as your WR3.

With Derek Carr’s retirement, the Saints have opened up a lot more room in their cap. They already had enough money to sign someone like Kennan Allen or Amari Cooper, but now they just have even more room to play with and can feel comfortable about overspending a little bit if they need to in order to lock someone of their caliber down.

The biggest reason I think the Saints need to bring in another vet is not because I think they need one of them to win more games, but because they need to make Tyler Shough’s transition to the NFL as smooth as possible. I’m presuming he’s going to win the quarterback battle, I don’t think you bring a 26-year-old rookie in with a top-50 pick if the plan isn’t to start him right away, and while Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are a nice 1-2 punch, he needs a reliable, big bodied receiver who can come across the middle and be exactly where he’s supposed to be. A receiver like Kennan Allen or Amari Cooper is a young QBs best friend, so if they really want to extract the most out of Shough in his rookie season, signing Allen or Cooper is a must.

If the Saints can roll out a wide receiver room that consists of Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Kennan Allen/Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones, that would be a very solid room, especially compared to last year’s. Part of the reason I think Spencer Rattler struggled at times last season was because he just didn’t have the receivers on the outside. He made some rookie mistakes, but again, if they really want to see what they have in Shough this year, they need to make more improvements at WR.

---

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...eteran-wr-after-signing-donovan-peoples-jones

 

[New Orleans Saints]

Fleur-de-Links, May 14: Asante Samuel Jr meets with Saints

Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images

Here are your daily New Orleans Saints links.

Asante Samuel visits the Saints-Canal St Chronicles​

The son of a NFL legend, Asante Samuel Jr has had a nice start to his career. Now, after a neck injury, hes looking to get back on the field.

How many prime time games will Saints have?-Saints Wire​

The NFL schedule comes out today. What will the New Orleans Saints' look like for 2025?

Saints sign Jonas Sanker-Athlon Sports​

The Virginia safety signed his NFL deal, meaning that the Saints have now struck deals with eight of their nine rookies.

Welcome QB @hunterdekkers to the #Saints! pic.twitter.com/Kzuw3Y6qkI

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 13, 2025​

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...nks-may-14-asante-samuel-jr-meets-with-saints

 

[New Orleans Saints]

BREAKING: The Saints 2025 schedule is finally here

Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

For the first time since 2000, the Saints will not play in primetime.

The wait is finally over. The New Orleans Saints 2025 schedule has been released and for the first time since 2000, they will not play in a primetime game.

So, without further ado let’s take a look at the Saints 2025 schedule:

PRESEASON:

Week 1: Saints at L.A. Chargers at 3:05 pm

Week 2: Saints at Jacksonville Jaguars at 12:00 p.m.

Week 3: Saints vs. Denver Broncos at 12:00 p.m.

REGULAR SEASON:

Week 1: Saints vs. Arizona Cardinals at 12:00 p.m. (FOX)

Week 2: Saints vs. San Francisco 49ers at 12:00 p.m. (FOX)

Week 3: Saints at Seattle Seahawks at 3:05 p.m. (CBS)

Week 4: Saints at Buffalo Bills at 12:00 p.m. (FOX)

Week 5: Saints vs. New York Giants at 12:00 p.m. (CBS)

Week 6: Saints vs. New England Patriots at 3:25 p.m. (FOX)

Week 7: Saints at Chicago Bears at 12:00 (FOX)

Week 8: Saints vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 3:05 p.m. (FOX)

Week 9: Saints vs. LA Rams at 3:05 p.m. (FOX)

Week 10: Saints at Carolina Panthers at 12:00 p.m. (FOX)

Week 11: BYE WEEK

Week 12: Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons at 3:25 pm (FOX)

Week 13: Saints at Miami Dolphins at 12:00 (FOX)

Week 14: Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 12:00 (FOX)

Week 15: Saints vs. Carolina Panthers 3:25 p.m. (FOX)

Week 16: Saints vs. New York Jets at 12:00 p.m. (CBS)

Week 17: Saints at Tennessee Titans at 12:00 p.m. (CBS)

Week 18: Saints at Atlanta Falcons TBD (TBD)

Now that the Saints schedule is officially out, what are your thoughts? What matchups are you most excited to see? Are you planning to attend any away games, which ones and why Let us know in the comments below!

---

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...king-the-saints-2025-schedule-is-finally-here

 

[New Orleans Saints]

What are the very early odds for the Saints in Week 1

Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images

The Saints will open the 2025 season at home against the Cardinals.

The 2025 NFL schedule has officially been released, and we now know exactly who and when the New Orleans Saints will be facing each week this upcoming season.

In Week 1, the Saints will find themselves at home in the dome in a match up against Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals to open the 2025 season.

While it is still very early and we don’t even know who the quarterback for the Saints will be this season, our friends at FanDuel have put up some Week 1 odds which finds the Saints listed as 4.5-point underdogs with over/under at 41.5 points.

Do you agree with the early odds? Let us know in the comments below and you can also check out all the odds for the rest of league in Week 1 at FanDuel Sportsbook

---

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...-the-very-early-odds-for-the-saints-in-week-1

 

[New Orleans Saints]

A look ahead at Week 1: Saints vs. Cardinals

Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images

This match up could be a fun one.

The opening game of the New Orleans Saints’ 2025 season is official, and they will be facing the Arizona Cardinals in the Superdome.

Before getting to the Saints’ side of this matchup, we have to look at what the Cardinals are bringing to the game. In recent years, the Cardinals have been highly disappointing. This is a team that has had playoff aspirations since their 11-6 season in 2021, but injuries to Kyler Murray have stopped any of those hopes. Last season, Murray was finally healthy for the whole season, but the roster was just not good enough, and they ended the season 8-9. After another year without the playoffs, the Cardinals must make the playoffs in the upcoming season, assuming health issues do not arise again.

Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images

With this major goal in mind, the Cardinals had some major additions to the roster:

• EDGE Josh Sweat
• DL Dalvin Tomlinson
• DL Calais Campbell
• DL Walter Nolen (rookie)
• CB Will Johnson (rookie)

The Cardinals made a clear effort to improve the defensive line. This was a massive area that needed to be upgraded this offseason, but there are still issues on offense. highly touted O-line coach Klayton Adams left to join the Dallas Cowboys staff and other WR is a big need. The Cardinals should be improved from last season, but if this offensive line regresses, there could be massive issues.

Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

Now focusing on the Saints, this matchup is going to be tough, but not the end of the world. The improvements of the Cardinals’ defensive line is going to be a major test for the Saints’ offensive line. The Saints have made improvements this past offseason in that area, so the hope is they should be able to hold their own. The Cardinals defense is not one that would absolutely destroy the Saints offense, but it also won’t allow the Saints to dominate. I expect Tyler Shough to be the starter week 1, and if that does happen, this game is going to be a good first test for the rookie quarterback.

Throughout the Dennis Allen era, New Orleans really struggled against mobile quarterbacks. With Kyler Murray being Arizona’s starting quarterback, it will be interesting to see how Brandon Staley’s defense deals with the threat of a mobile quarterback. Looking at position battles, there are two glaring worries: Cornerback and defensive line. Although WR is a big need for the Cardinals, they still have Marvin Harrison Jr., and Kool-Aid McKinstry is going to have his first major test of the season right away. The Cardinals run game has always been a decent, and with how bad the Saints’ run defense was last year, New Orleans is going to need major improvements from last season. With some additions, this seems to be the hope, but the Saints need to prove that the improvements were made.

This is going to be an exciting start to the season!

---

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2025/5/15/24430148/a-look-ahead-at-week-1-saints-vs-cardinals

 

[New Orleans Saints]

Jennings: Saints’ projected starting offensive line

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Breaking down New Orleans’ potential front five.

One of the biggest remaining questions of the New Orleans Saints’ offseason is how they plan to reshuffle the trenches after selecting an offensive tackle in the first round of the NFL Draft in back-to-back years. After some thought, here’s the front five I’d feel most comfortable rolling with come Week 1:

Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

LT - Kelvin Banks Jr.​

With the ninth pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Saints selected Texas Longhorns OT Kelvin Banks Jr.

The year before, New Orleans took Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga with the 14th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

Although Fuaga primarily played on the right side in college, a significant need for an anchor on the blindside and the hope of 2022 first-round pick Trevor Penning finding his footing amid a switch to right tackle influenced the decision to move him to left tackle for his rookie season.

That said, I don’t think the same approach should be taken with this year’s first-round tackle.

Even though Fuaga thrived in his new role, returning to a position he once excelled at would be a much smoother transition than a switch to an entirely new position against pro-level talent as a rookie.

Furthermore, Banks was one of the most dominant left tackles in all of college football during his junior season. The 21-year-old played all 934 snaps on the left side, allowing just one sack and 10 total pressures on 538 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. His 86.2 overall grade ranked fifth among tackles in 2024, along with his stellar 89.9 pass-blocking grade. He also earned an 81.0 run-blocking grade on 397 run-block snaps, proving he’s no slouch in that department either.

Over his three years with the Longhorns, Banks allowed just 4 sacks and 34 total pressures on 2,774 pass-blocking snaps.

As of now, Banks has gotten work at LT, LG, and RT throughout rookie minicamp. Saints head coach Kellen Moore explained that they want to expose him to a few different positions before narrowing the focus later in the process.

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

LG - Dillon Radunz​

After losing 31-year-old Lucas Patrick to the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency—a veteran who arrived as an expected backup but allowed zero sacks and just 10 total pressures on 330 pass-blocking snaps in 2024—New Orleans began searching for a replacement at guard, with a starter yet to be set in stone.

In March, the Saints agreed to terms with former Tennessee Titans guard Dillon Radunz on a one-year, $2.25 million deal.

The 6-foot-6, 301-pounder started 15 games for Tennessee in 2024, allowing six sacks and 23 total pressures on 547 pass-blocking snaps, according to PFF. Radunz also finished the 2023 season with a 78.7 run-blocking grade on 319 run-block snaps.

At 27, Radunz is still young enough for the Saints’ new regime to mold him into the player who best fits their scheme—especially with the addition of former Philadelphia Eagles offensive quality control coach and new Saints run game coordinator T.J. Paganetti, along with the return of offensive line coach Brendan Nugent, who previously spent 2015-2021 in New Orleans.

Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

C - Erik McCoy​

Before landing on injured reserve with a groin injury suffered just three plays into the Saints’ Week 3 matchup against the Eagles, McCoy’s 2024 season was off to a dominant start.

The 27-year-old opened the year with back-to-back 91+ overall grades and allowed just one pressure across those two games. He finished his sixth professional campaign with a 94.4 overall grade and a 94.6 run block grade, allowing only three pressures over 154 pass-blocking snaps in seven games, per PFF.

In Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers, McCoy earned a 91.4 overall grade with a 91.6 run-block grade. He also posted an 82.7 pass-block grade after allowing zero pressures.

He followed that performance with another outstanding showing in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys, earning a 92.9 overall grade, a 91.5 run-block grade and allowing just one pressure.

Despite missing 10 games, the heart and soul of the Saints’ offensive line earned his second career Pro Bowl nod last season.

It’s evident how vital McCoy is to the offense based on the results without him on the field. Everything runs through McCoy, from handing out assignments to his overall leadership.

Expect McCoy to pick up right where he left off as one of the league’s premier centers.

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

RG - Cesar Ruiz​

The former first-round pick had a career year in 2024, despite missing four weeks with a knee injury.

The 25-year-old appeared in 13 games, allowing just one sack and 13 total pressures on 477 pass-blocking snaps, earning a career-high 67.6 overall grade and a 67.5 pass-blocking grade.

Ruiz takes a lot of heat, but there was a noticeable hole when he was missing last season—and I’m not sure he gets the credit he deserves for his role in this unit.

Ideally, Ruiz can take another leap forward and help elevate this offensive line to the next level in 2025.

Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

RT - Taliese Fuaga​

New Orleans hit the jackpot in last year’s draft by selecting Taliese Fuaga in the first round.

After being asked to switch to an entirely new position upon entering the league, the 6-foot-6, 334-pounder spearheaded the challenge, and I’d argue he exceeded expectations.

The 23-year-old started all 17 games as a rookie at left tackle, allowing six sacks and 39 total pressures on 657 pass-blocking snaps while playing through a back injury. He also posted a 69.6 run-blocking grade on 413 run-blocking snaps, according to PFF.

However, with the recent selection of another first-round tackle in Kelvin Banks Jr. and the Saints preparing for their first official season without All-Pro RT Ryan Ramczyk on the roster, who is retiring due to a serious knee injury, it might be wise to move Fuaga back to his college position on the right side of the line.

Fuaga allowed zero sacks and just 23 total pressures on 734 pass-blocking snaps during his college career at Oregon State, all at right tackle. In his final season with the Beavers, he earned an 88.2 overall grade with a 90.9 run-blocking grade.

In 2022, Fuaga was named to the All-Pac-12 second team after starting all 13 games at right tackle.

In 2023, he earned second-team Associated Press All-America honors, first-team All-Pac-12 recognition and was a finalist for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year award—again, with all 12 starts at the position.

If he’s able to translate that success to the pros by leveraging his instincts and college experience, the Saints could have their tackle tandem locked down for the future.

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...ings-saints-projected-starting-offensive-line

 

[New Orleans Saints]

What is the Saints’ toughest home game in 2025?

Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

New Orleans will face some harder games on the road this season.

The full 2025 NFL schedule released on Wednesday night, and with it, we finally got a look at the New Orleans Saints schedule. They have one of the easiest schedules in the league, but in my opinion, their road schedule is much tougher than their home schedule.

Of their eight home opponents, I think there’s a pretty clear two toughest games: Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Francisco 49ers. The Bucs are defending NFC South champions and had what I thought was a pretty solid draft. On the other hand, San Fran has a really strong roster but were disappointing last season due to some injuries and other factors.

After speaking with some of the other writers and weighing the options, I decided to give Tampa the nod for the toughest home game this season. I think they’re the better offense and their defense should be pretty comparable to the one that finished 17th in points per game allowed last season.

Offensively, the Bucs are still led by Baker Mayfield, who has completely revitalized his career in Tampa and has become one of the best quarterbacks in the NFC. The Saints got to see that firsthand last year. In two games against the Saints, Mayfield threw for 546 yards and six touchdowns, but he did throw four picks. The Bucs were still able to score 78 total points in those two games though, so the picks didn’t really matter.

With Chris Godwin expected back after a season-ending injury last year, the Bucs should have one of the best receiver rooms in the league. Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka is a nasty trio, and if you keep going deeper into that room, they still have guys like Jalen McMillan and Sterling Sheppard, who can be productive.

At running back, they drafted Bucky Irving to help compliment Rachaad White, but he ended up taking over as RB1 for the Bucs. He rushed for over 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns, and that’s after only getting 10+ carries in two of his first nine games.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Bucs have one of the biggest lines in all of football. Vita Vea anchors at nose tackle while Calijah Kancey, Logan Hall and Yaya Diaby play around him. You also have to consider the fact that 464-pound Demond Watson was signed after the draft and could end up making the roster as well.

The backend of their defense is where things get suspect. They have Jamel Dean, but behind him, things get pretty thin. They retained Tykee Smith and Zyon McCollum, but they gave up 458 and 793 yards respectively last season. They did spend their second and third round picks on Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Paris, two corners, though so we’ll see if they come into play this season.

I’m not too afraid of the Bucs defense, but I think their offense is going to give the Saints some trouble again this year. If Mayfield has a similar season to 2024, their offense should be even better than the one that averaged 39 points per game against the Saints last year.

I think San Fran could give this game a run for its money in terms of toughness, but I think Tampa is a 10-11 win team this year, and I’m not sure how good the 49ers will be after a down year in 2024 and a lackluster offseason.

---

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...what-is-the-saints-toughest-home-game-in-2025

 

[New Orleans Saints]

Saints only favored in one of 17 games for the 2025 season

Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

It may be the second easiest schedule in football, but Las Vegas isn’t high on the Black and Gold.

With the news on Wednesday night of the schedule release for the 2025 NFL season, the oddsmakers get to work to put odds on each game on the slate.

Even though the season is still 3.5 months away, the odds are not in favor of the New Orleans Saints.

According to most oddsmakers, the Black and Gold will only be favored in their matchup with the New York Jets, which comes on December 21 inside the Caesars Superdome. This comes a day after the schedule was released, where the Saints will not play a single prime time game in 2025, the first time that’s happened since 2000.

This doesn’t come as a surprise to many fans, considering the Saints went 5-12 on the season, have a first-time head coach, and likely a rookie at quarterback.

Take a look at some of the odds here:

Week 1: +3.5 @ Home vs Arizona

Week 2: +7 @ Home vs San Francisco

Week 3: +6.5 at Seattle

Week 4: +12.5 at Buffalo

Week 5: +1.5 @ Home vs New York Giants

Week 6: +3 @Home vs New England

Week 7: +7.5 at Chicago

Week 8: +5.5 at Tampa Bay

Week 9: +9.5 at Los Angeles Rams

Week 10: +4.5 at Carolina

BYE WEEK

Week 12: +2.5 @ Home vs. Atlanta

Week 13: +6 at Dolphins

Week 14: +9.5 @ Home vs Tampa Bay

Week 15: +1.5 @ Home vs Carolina

Week 16: -1.5 @ Home vs New York Jets

Week 17: +3.5 at Tennessee

Week 18: +4.5 at Atlanta

It’s clear that the sportsbooks are maybe a little too high on some teams on the Saints’ schedule, but don’t be surprised if 2025 is a season of growing pains for this new-look roster.

The Saints may have no choice but to call this a rebuild.

---

Make sure you follow Canal Street Chronicles on Twitter at @SaintsCSC, “Like” us on Facebook at Canal Street Chronicles, and make sure you subscribe to our YouTube channel. Follow my personal page @MiguezMatt for more!

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...avored-in-one-of-17-games-for-the-2025-season

 

[New Orleans Saints]

Fleur-de-Links, May 16: Get an early look at this year's opener

Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

Here are your daily New Orleans Saints links.

Saints vs Cardinals early preview-Canal St Chronicles​

The New Orleans Saints will open their 2025 season at home against the Arizona Cardinals. Here's a look at the matchup.

Kellen Moore's Angry Translator-Saints Wire​

As part of the Saints schedule release, they got comedian Rob Kazi to be Kellen Moore's angry translator. If you haven't seen it yet, check it out

Saints have to be better after Bye week-Who Dat Dish​

The Saints have struggled with the first game after their bye in recent years. This year, they need to fix that.

WR Brandin Cooks is back in New Orleans — and brought his youth football camp with him.

Cooks hosts an annual camp in his hometown of Stockton, CA, but brought this free camp to the Saints’ practice facility as well this year, partnering with Heroes of New Orleans. pic.twitter.com/4lcDRNoSKW

— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) May 15, 2025​

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...may-16-get-an-early-look-at-this-years-opener

 

[New Orleans Saints]

Fleur-de-Links, May 15: Get a look at the Saints schedule for 2025

Here are your daily New Orleans Saints links.

Saints 2025 Schedule-Canal St Chronicles​

The New Orleans Saints, for the first time since the turn of the century, will not play a game in primetime. Here's a look at this year's schedule.

Sean Payton visiting the Superdome once again-Athlon Sports​

The former coach of the Black and Gold will return to his former stadium to lead the Denver Broncos against the Saints.

Five things to know: Hunter Dekkers-New Orleans Saints​

Get to know the newest QB for the Saints, the former Iowa State quarterback who finished his career at Iowa Western.

2025 Saints Schedule #Saints | @SeatGeek pic.twitter.com/HEW42htFGJ

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 15, 2025​

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...15-get-a-look-at-the-saints-schedule-for-2025

 

[New Orleans Saints]

A look ahead at Week 2: 49ers vs. Saints

D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

What to look for in the matchup between old division rivals.

The NFL schedule is out, and the New Orleans Saints now know who they will be playing and when. In week 2, an old division rival, the San Francisco 49ers, comes to town.

The 49ers will play their second straight road game to start the season after Seattle. If star running back Christian McCaffrey is healthy to start the season, San Francisco could be a formidable opponent.

“He’s an elite player, and we’re going to do everything we can to get him the ball as much as we can.” Klay Kubiak, the offensive coordinator for the 49ers, spoke about McCaffrey's importance. “He’s one of our central players on offense.”

The first-year OC also said that he hopes second-year wide receivers Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing take a successful second-year jump when asked if he had any specific meetings with players.

“I don’t want to single out players, but you think of the younger guys who were maybe rookies last year, guys like Ricky and Jake who were successful. There’s always a jump in the second year.” Kubiak said. “So, you’re kind of talking through that expectation of what you think they need to do to be consistent and make that jump and to be consistent NFL players.”

Thankfully, the Saints have a former 49ers coach in Brandon Staley, who was their assistant head coach last year and is now the Saints' defensive coordinator this year. This provides a sense of comfort. But that in no way means that San Francisco will be an easy opponent. In fact, this situation should serve as a reminder of how competitive the 49ers have been over the past few years, even if it may appear that they are heading for a down year.

---

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2025/5/19/24431494/a-look-ahead-at-week-2-49ers-vs-saints

 

[New Orleans Saints]

A look at the Saints’ nine road games and how far they will travel this season

Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

New Orleans will travel over 4,700 miles more this season than in 2024.

The 2025 NFL schedule has been out for a few days now and that has allowed everyone plenty of time to analyze each game every which way. With 17 games and one bye week this season, the New Orleans Saints will play eight home games and nine games on the road, which will have them traveling a total of 16,784 miles (round trip).

Their longest road trip will be in Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field (4,172 air miles) and there shortest coming in Week 18 against the Atlanta Falcons in Mercedes-Benz Stadium (424 air miles)

PDF of 2025 Saints Schedule: https://t.co/44J0H6ered#Saints | @SeatGeek pic.twitter.com/JA41QAVO6c

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 15, 2025​

The Saints will also have to play back-to-back road games 4 times this season starting in Weeks 3 and 4 (Seattle Seahawks and Buffalo Bills), Weeks 9 and 10 (L.A. Rams and Carolina Panthers), Weeks 13 and 14 (Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Weeks 17 and 18 (Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons)

By comparison, the Saints traveled just 12,060 miles (round trip) last season.

---

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...-saints-nine-road-games-and-their-travel-time

 

[New Orleans Saints]

A look ahead at Week 4: Saints vs. Bills

Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

What to expect in the Saints' first game against an AFC opponent.

The New Orleans Saints are set to come marching into Buffalo, N.Y., in a week four matchup against the Bills. On paper, this could be their toughest matchup of the early season.

The Buffalo Bills made the AFC championship game last season and has the reigning MVP in quarterback Josh Allen. They have also made numerous offseason additions to the defense, including a draft that saw 6/9 picks on that side of the ball and the big signing of pro-bowler Joey Bosa.

One positive is that the Saints won’t be visiting Buffalo in the dead of winter, just late September. That should put the temperature for the game somewhere in the mid-60s, according to accuweather.com.

This will be one of the tougher games of the season for the Saints. In addition to facing an elite football team, the Saints are also dealing with the effects of traveling back from their previous week's game in Seattle, which is on the opposite coast. Let’s hope there isn’t much jet lag.

---

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2025/5/20/24433154/a-look-ahead-at-week-4-saints-vs-bills

 

[New Orleans Saints]

NFL Clubs approve participation of NFL Players in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles

Photo by Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Owners voted today at the Spring League Meeting in Eagan, MN.

At the Spring League Meeting in Eagan, MN, NFL owners voted to allow NFL players to participate in flag football at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The approved resolution authorizes the league to work with the NFL Players Association, the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), and the relevant Olympic authorities to implement rules governing the participation of NFL players in flag football, which makes its Olympic debut in 2028.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said, “It’s an incredible honor for any athlete to represent their country in the Olympics, which is the pinnacle of global sport. I know first-hand that the inclusion of flag football in the Olympics has sparked a tremendous amount of excitement among NFL players interested in the chance to compete for their country on the world stage. We are thrilled that they will now have that chance.”

Olympic rosters will be selected by each countries’ National Olympic Committees based on the proposal by the respective National Federations.

IFAF President Pierre Trochet said, “I warmly welcome the outcome of this vote, which promises to add another dimension to what is already shaping up to be a game-changing debut for flag football at the Olympic Games. The National Football League is home to the biggest stars in American football, who come from more and more countries, and now have the opportunity to shine on the greatest stage in world sport, showcasing everything that makes flag football a genuine worldwide phenomenon. IFAF’s 75 national federations join me in thanking our NFL partners for this further demonstration of their commitment to flag football in the Olympic movement. We will work together to ensure our sport contributes a defining element of LA28’s success.”

The Olympic flag football competition will consist of six men’s teams and six women’s teams composed of 10 players per team; with the game itself a five-on-five format.

As per the terms agreed to today, NFL player participation with their countries’ national flag football teams will begin with a tryout or qualification process in advance of the Olympic competition.

NFL Players Association Executive Director Lloyd Howell, Jr. said, “Players have expressed to us a great desire for the honor of competing in the Olympics, and we’re excited that our members will be able to represent their country on the highest international stage. We look forward to working with the league, IFAF, and Olympic authorities on the terms of their participation to ensure players who compete will do so with protections to their health, safety, and job.”

Flag football is governed internationally by the IOC-recognized International Federation of American Football, which has 75 national member federations spanning every continent. A record 31 nations participated in the most recent IFAF Flag Football World Championships, mirroring the sport’s explosive grassroots growth, with 20 million players around the world.

“There is no question that the 2028 Flag Football tournament at the LA28 Games will be one of the most exciting competitions in Olympic history, and the inclusion of NFL players will bring it to new heights,” said LA28 Chairperson and President Casey Wasserman. “This milestone would not have been possible without the support of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, the NFL Players Association, its club owners and most importantly, the athletes, who we’ll look forward to watching on the field in 2028.”

---

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...yers-in-the-2028-olympic-games-in-los-angeles

 

[New Orleans Saints]

The Tush Push is here to stay, for now

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Could it be implemented in New Orleans?

Every year, the NFL works with teams to modify, add, or remove certain rules from the game. We saw this after the New Orleans Saints vs. Los Angeles Rams no-call, when the NFL added challenges on pass interference calls, which were ultimately removed the following year. This offseason, there was one conversation in particular that stood out amongst the rest, the tush push. This play was popularized by the Philadelphia Eagles and has caused some anger from other teams due to how effective it is. The main argument against the play is injuries, but there is no current evidence that this play can cause major injuries. Today, a final vote on the play occurred to see if it will be banned, and in the end, the Tush Push will stay for at least another year, per Adam Schefter.

NFL needed 24 votes today to ban the Tush Push, but got only 22. Here are the 10 teams that voted against the Tush Push ban, per sources:

Eagles
Ravens
Browns
Lions
Jaguars
Dolphins
Patriots
Saints
Jets
Titans

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 21, 2025​

This went down to the wire and only needed two more votes to ban the play. It is interesting to note that the Saints were one of the teams that voted to keep the Tush Push in the NFL. This makes sense with Kellen Moore just last season coaching for the Eagles, but it could also mean that the Saints may look to implement the Tush Push themselves. Outside of Philadelphia, when teams try to use the Tush Push, it isn’t as effective as when the Eagles do it. Still, the Saints have an interesting opportunity to try to be that team that can rival the Eagles in the play’s effectiveness, and if this is the last year of the Tush Push, might as well try to take advantage of it.

---

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...ere-to-stay-for-now-nfl-eagles-packers-saints

 

[New Orleans Saints]

NFL announces Protector of the Year award

Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

A much-needed addition,

Besides the Super Bowl, the NFL Awards are one of the most highly sought-after accomplishments in the game. Adding new awards to the list is always something the NFL should consider, but it must make sense for it to happen. On Wednesday, the NFL announced that they have added the “Protector of the Year” award for the best offensive lineman in the NFL, per Ian Rapoport.

NFL executive Troy Vincent announces a new end-of-the-year award -- “Protector of the Year” -- to recognize best offensive lineman each year.

Credit to Dion Dawkins and others for championing this cause.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 21, 2025​

It has been too long for the NFL to not have an award that can go to an offensive lineman for play on the field. Throughout league history, specifically in recent years, offensive linemen have become vital to the success of teams, and it is about time they got a dedicated award. Yes, offensive linemen could win the rookie of the year, offensive player of the year, or MVP, but that is never going to happen. By adding this new end-of-the-year award, the best offensive lineman in the game can finally be recognized each year.

---

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2025/5/22/24434665/nfl-announces-protector-of-the-year-award

 

[New Orleans Saints]

Saints QB Jake Haener set to miss the rest of OTAs

Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Brutal injury news to a player that needs every snap to compete.

OTAs started this week, and many eyes are on the New Orleans Saints’ quarterback room. Most of the focus is on the battle for QB 1 between Spencer Rattler, Tyler Shough, and Jake Haener, but there is also another battle for the third QB spot on the roster. The Saints recently signed UDFA Hunter Dekkers to a contract, while also creating a roster spot for him. Looking a bit more into this, the Saints clearly like Dekkers and believe he can make this roster, which is not great news for one of the quarterbacks. Jake Haener is the third man in the starting competition, but he is the odd man out, and it’s doubtful he will even become the Saints’ backup. This moves him down to the third spot, but with Dekkers signed to the roster, these two quarterbacks will be competing against each other throughout the rest of the offseason. The only issue is that today, it was announced that Jake Haener is set to miss the rest of OTAs with an oblique injury, per Adam Schefter.

Saints QB Jake Haener, part of a three-way competition to become the team’s starting quarterback, suffered an oblique strain at the end of Wednesday’s practice and now is expected to miss “a couple of weeks”, per league sources. Haener likely will miss the remainder of OTAs, but… pic.twitter.com/nSVcMkImze

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 22, 2025​

An injury like this could make a massive difference in the quarterback battle. Being available is vital to a position battle due to how little amount of time these players need to show their worth to the team, especially when a coaching staff is completely new. If Dennis Allen and the previous regime was still with the team, a short-term injury for Haener may have not made a massive impact. With Kellen Moore as coach, he has no ties to Haener and already really likes the quarterback currently battling for the third roster spot. There is still time to change minds, but for Haener, this process is going to be an uphill battle.

---

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.c...s-qb-jake-haener-set-to-miss-the-rest-of-otas

 

[New Orleans Saints]

Saints OTA Quarterback updates

Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

What to know about the quarterback room now that OTAs are in session.

Following Thursday’s practice session, New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore has provided some insight into what the quarterback room will look like during OTAs and into the offseason.

“For the most part, the quarterbacks have just been rotating, just kind of by the day,” Moore said in a meeting with media. “I don’t want them looking into a ‘who’s in, who’s out?’, create a little bit of rhythm each day. ...it’ll rotate throughout the whole offseason.”

The coach went on to say that third-year QB Jake Haener also took some reps with the ones earlier in the week before he suffered an oblique injury. He is expected to be back for training camp.

So, it appears that the battle for QB1 is between two for now. When practice was open to the media on Thursday, we got to see how the two potential starting quarterbacks—Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough—were doing under Moore’s system. On that day, Rattler was rolling with the ones.

Rattler, who was taken in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, completed all eight of his passes, according to Ross Jackson of Lousianasports.net. Highlighting the set was an intermediate, tight-window completion for tight end Michael Jacobson.

Shough, who was selected in round two this past April, went six for seven, per Jackson. The highlight of the day, according to reports, was a deep sideline completion from him to wide receiver Rashid Shaheed.

The injury to Haener, while unfortunate, also benefits UDFA QB Hunter Dekkers. Dekkers, who left Iowa State following the 2022 season after being indicted on gambling charges, finished his college career at Iowa Western Community College in 2024.

His lone season as a starter for the cyclones saw him complete 66.1% of his passes for 3044 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions, according to sportsreference.com. Last year for the Reivers, he completed 64.1% of his passes for 3806 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, according to the school's website.

I’d say he’s a dark horse for a position on the 53-man roster.

Get better every day

Views from OTAs#Saints | @PeoplesHealth pic.twitter.com/8KmZ9soWuI

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 22, 2025​

Source: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2025/5/23/24435914/saints-ota-quarterback-updates