The New Orleans Saints may have finished at the bottom of the NFC South in 2025, but the winds of change are blowing hard through the Big Easy. After a promising end to last season from quarterback Tyler Shough, the franchise entered the 2026 offseason with a renewed sense of hope—and they've only added fuel to that fire since.

Thanks to a aggressive offseason that loaded up on offensive playmakers and beefed up the protection up front, the Saints are suddenly looking like a team that could crash the postseason party. And according to ESPN's Dan Graziano, the schedule might just be on their side.

In a recent analysis, Graziano grouped the Saints alongside the Cincinnati Bengals and Detroit Lions as teams with some of the best chances to return to the playoffs—largely thanks to favorable schedules. "The Saints have had a good offseason, feel good about coach Kellen Moore and quarterback Tyler Shough, and have the second-easiest schedule by opponents' 2025 records," Graziano noted.

That combination—an easy slate, a revamped roster, and belief in the coaching staff—is a recipe for a potential breakout. For context, the Lions hold the seventh-easiest schedule, while the Bengals check in at third. The Saints, sitting at No. 2, are right in the sweet spot.

It's been a rocky road since the Drew Brees era ended, with the franchise searching for a long-term answer under center. But with Shough looking like the real deal, a solid supporting cast, a rebuilt offensive line, and a weak NFC South division, a playoff run in 2026 doesn't just feel possible—it feels probable.

Whether you're stocking up on Saints gear for the season ahead or just keeping an eye on the rising contenders, New Orleans is shaping up to be one of the most exciting stories in football this year.