Overview
- New Orleans’ season ended with a 19-17 loss in Atlanta, where a late Dee Alford interception set up the decisive field goal before a last-minute Saints touchdown fell short on an onside kick.
- Shough went 5-4 after taking over midseason, completing 66.7% for 2,384 yards with 10 touchdowns and six interceptions, plus three rushing scores in nine starts.
- Coaches and teammates voiced confidence that Shough is the starter going forward, even after a finale played without Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave and multiple offensive line starters.
- Under coordinator Brandon Staley the defense ranked ninth in yards allowed and logged 45 sacks, with Cameron Jordan and Chase Young each reaching double-digit sacks and Demario Davis leading with 143 tackles.
- The Saints hold the No. 8 pick and cap flexibility as they weigh re-signing veterans such as Jordan and Davis, add protection and weapons for Shough, and monitor his OROY bid with Carolina’s Tetairoa McMillan listed as the betting favorite.