The New Orleans Saints wrapped up mandatory minicamp, and the roster is starting to take shape. But for a couple of veteran players, the picture looks grim.
Coming off a 6-11 season that landed them last in the NFC South, head coach Kellen Moore and the front office are under pressure to turn things around. The Saints used the eighth overall pick in the draft on Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson, then followed up with three more pass-catchers: Georgia tight end Oscar Delp in the third round, North Dakota State wideout Bryce Lance in the fourth, and LSU’s Barion Brown in the sixth. It’s not hard to see the priority here. They are loading up to fix an offense that sputtered last year.
But the most fascinating battle this summer is at quarterback. Tyler Shough, who started 10 games last season and went 5-5 in them, looks like he has pulled ahead of Spencer Rattler, who went 2-7 as the starter. The team has not confirmed a depth chart yet, but sources close to the situation say Shough has been taking the bulk of first-team reps through minicamp. That leaves third-year man Zach Wilson in a bad spot.
The Jets drafted Wilson second overall in 2021, and he has started 33 games in his career. That experience outweighs anyone else in this room except maybe in the wrong direction. He has not lived up to expectations, and now he is competing with rookie Hunter Dekkers from Iowa Western for what is likely the third quarterback spot. The Saints typically carry three quarterbacks. Dekkers is a candidate for the practice squad. Wilson, on the other hand, is a veteran who would need to clear waivers before he could sign there. The more realistic outcome is that he gets cut and looks for work elsewhere. It is a tough fall for a guy who was once the face of a franchise.
The Running Back Room Got Crowded Fast
The Saints traded for Travis Etienne Jr. from the Jaguars this offseason, and that move reshuffled the entire backfield. Etienne slots in ahead of Alvin Kamara, who has been the heartbeat of this offense for years. Behind them are Devin Neal, a draft pick from Kansas, and Kendre Miller, who has been waiting for his chance. That is four capable backs.
Then there is Ty Chandler. He signed a veteran minimum deal with the Saints this spring, and the contract carries almost no dead money if they cut him. That makes him an easy candidate to trim. Chandler showed he can be a speedy option and a receiver out of the backfield in Minnesota, but the Saints have speed and receiving ability already covered with Etienne, Kamara, Neal, and Miller. There is not much room for a fifth back who duplicates what the top four do.
Chandler could catch on with another team. But for now, he is on the outside looking in. The Saints have not made any official cuts yet, but the math does not work in his favor.
Training camp opens later this month, and these decisions will get settled fast. Some players are fighting for their jobs. Others are already losing them.
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