The are one of the biggest mysteries in the NFL this season.
They have a new head coach, a new staff, a new quarterback and new schemes on both sides of the ball.
Three weeks of training camp has done little to clear things up. There is still so much we don’t know about this team, and the season opener is only three weeks away.
Here are the 10 biggest questions facing the team as the season looms:
10. Is Kellen Moore ready?
The early returns have been positive for the . Players have praised him for the efficiency of his practices and the creativity of his play calling. So far, so good. But the litmus test will come when Moore leads the team into the regular season.
9. Are special teams special?
For years, the Saints special teams units have ranked among the best in the league. This year feels like a crap shoot for myriad reasons. Longtime coordinator Darren Rizzi is in Denver. The unit’s longtime captain, J.T. Gray, is hurt. And the punter likely will be either Kai Kroeger or James Burnip, two unknown commodities.
8. Is Alontae Taylor OK?
The Saints are counting on a big year from Taylor, so his groin injury is worrisome. Taylor plays the star position, the playmaking role Derwin James and Jalen Ramsey manned in defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s defenses elsewhere. His loss for any period of time would be a setback.
7. When will Taysom Hill return?
Moore has been intentionally vague with details whenever he’s asked about Hill’s status. The veteran utility back is expected to start the season on the physically unable to perform list, which would sideline him for the first four games of the season. When/if he returns, Hill will give Moore and offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier a key offensive chess piece. The Saints have no one with Hill’s skill set on the roster.
6. Will Chase Young break out?
If the Saints defense is going to make a big leap, it likely will need a big year from Young. He looks poised to deliver. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft is healthy and appears to be thriving on the edge in Staley’s 3-4 scheme. The league has been waiting for him to resurrect the promise he showed as a rookie. It might be now or never for the former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
5. Who backs up Alvin Kamara?
Kendre Miller is the most talented. Cam Akers and Clyde Edwards-Helaire are the most experienced. Velus Jones is the most versatile. And we don’t yet know where rookies Devin Neal and Marcus Yarns fit into the mix. Miller’s blend of size, speed and explosiveness is unmatched. Reliability has been his issue. Not only has he been injured for much of his career but he’s also struggled with missed assignments. His preseason performance has been encouraging.
4. Who is the third WR?
Brandin Cooks was signed in the offseason presumably to be the No. 3 option behind Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, but the 31-year-old veteran is on his third team in four years and has seen his production decline annually since 2021. He’s had a relatively quiet camp. Unheralded Mason Tipton has made a lot of plays this preseason but remains unproven. Veteran reserves Cedrick Wilson and Donovan Peoples-Jones have yet to make an impact. Don’t be surprised if the Saints add a veteran receiver or two after roster cuts. I don’t think they’re finished at this spot.
3. How is Trevor Penning's health?
The Saints can’t afford any injuries along their depth-shy offensive line, so the loss of Penning and backup center Will Clapp in the preseason opener is cause for concern. Turf toe injuries are notoriously finicky, and Penning has battled foot injuries in the past. His availability for the season opener against Arizona is up in the air. His replacement, veteran Dillon Radunz, hardly inspired confidence with his performance against the Chargers, allowing two sacks — including one that led to a lost fumble — and committing two penalties.
2. Has the defense improved?
Staley’s 3-4 scheme has looked stingy and started strong against the Chargers before the reserve units hemorrhaged points and yards late. The front seven should be stouter against the run, and Kool-Aid McKinstry has made a big leap in Year 2. Still, the Saints need Young and Taylor to have breakout years for this unit to be special. The best friend of a young quarterback is a good defense.Â
1. Who’s the QB? Is he any good?
Granted, it's two questions, but none loom larger. In a quarterback-driven league, the Saints have the most inexperienced quarterback room. And with the regular season just three weeks away, they still don’t know who their starter is. At this point, it’s a two-man race between Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler. My sense is the Saints would like to see Shough take the bull by the horns and win the job, but so far, he hasn’t separated himself from Rattler, who continues to make the decision difficult. Shough has started to look more comfortable as the game slows down for him, but there will be growing pains no matter who starts the season. Sunday’s preseason game against the Jaguars could prove decisive.
