The New Orleans Saints had one of the worst cap situations in the entire league. The team was trying to sustain a playoff roster around Derek Carr, but his shocking retirement allowed them to hit a soft reboot. However, the one spot they needed to figure out was the quarterback.
After starting the season with Spencer Rattler under center, they eventually gave the nod to rookie Tyler Shough. A surprisingly solid run followed, and now the franchise has to be hoping that they’ve found their long-term answer. But one analyst believes the team needs more wide receiver depth to build a true contender.
Tyler Shough Needs More Help on the Saints
Last season, the Saints were a rough watch offensively, at least to start the year. Even though they finished 29th on PFN’s Offense Impact Metric with an impact score of 62.9, their showing was significantly better under Shough as the offensive engine.
After he took over in Week 9, the offense was below its season average just once. Instead, consistently in the high-70s, they were closer to the upper half of the league in their showings. But the team still needs more weapons.
Apart from Chris Olave, New Orleans didn’t have a trusted weapon, and the team tried to address this with the selection of Jordyn Tyson at pick number eight in the 2026 NFL Draft.
But after parting ways with Rashid Shaheed via trade last season and age becoming a potential red flag for Alvin Kamara, the team needs more playmakers to help in the passing game.
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As a result, Daniel Popper of The Athletic believes they could be the “best landing spot” for another veteran like Keenan Allen, especially after his bounce-back year with the Los Angeles Chargers.
“Allen signed with the Los Angeles Chargers early in training camp last year, and he went on to have a productive season after reuniting with quarterback Justin Herbert,” Popper wrote. “Allen led the Chargers in receptions with 81. He finished with 777 receiving yards and four touchdowns.”
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Despite Allen’s age, Popper believes the six-time Pro Bowler can maintain his upswing from 2025. He added, “Allen turned 34 in April, but his game will continue to age well. Allen relies more on technique and savvy than elite athleticism.”
However, as far as the Saints were concerned, he saw one possible hiccup. “The Saints are a compelling fit for a couple of reasons,” Popper noted. “Allen has spent all but one season of his NFL career in Southern California. It’s fair to question if he would even be willing to make a move to New Orleans for 2026.”
Still, Popper believed the upside was impossible to ignore: “But from a football standpoint, this marriage makes a ton of sense. As usual, the Saints are tight up against the cap, so they would likely have to get creative with the structure to make a contract work.”
It remains to be seen if New Orleans will make a move for Allen in the coming weeks. But for a young quarterback, Allen’s veteran leadership and technical expertise could be a welcome addition to the roster.
