標籤: Orleans

While everyone was expecting the New Orleans Saints to be one of the NFL’s worst teams in 2025, first-year head coach Kellen Moore had much better results than analysts expected. A year after winning only five games, Moore led the Saints to six wins, putting them within two games of claiming the NFC South.

Last year, the Saints made several roster changes, most notably moving quarterback Derek Carr to rookie second-round pick Tyler Shaw. This offseason, the Saints came close to moving on from a franchise icon. But they may not be ready to say goodbye yet.

Recently, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis addressed a pair of still-unsigned free agents, Taysom Hill and Cameron Jordan. Loomis revealed that the team has not offered the 36-year-old Hill a contract any time soon. However, they soon extended another contract offer to 37-year-old Jordan.

It remains to be seen whether things change between Hill and the Saints. For now, it appears that Hill has played his last snap as a member of the Saints. Of course, injuries could eventually change that mindset. Otherwise, perhaps his old head coach Sean Payton would have had some interest in adding Hill to the Denver Broncos. But the fact that Hill hasn’t landed in Denver yet could indicate that Peyton isn’t interested in the aging vet either.

As far as Jordan is concerned, it’s easy to see how the Saints would want the one-time All-Pro back. The eight-time Pro Bowler is coming off a season in which he recorded 10.5 sacks. The only thing is, if the Saints are truly interested in Jordan’s return, they might want to act quickly, as other suitors certainly have their eyes on Jordan as well.

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Despite entering the 2025 campaign with very low outside expectations, the New Orleans Saints performed better than anyone expected in Kellen Moore’s first season as head coach, finishing with a 6–11 record. If nothing else, the Saints’ season, which saw several young players receive extensive playing time, set the table for a bright future.

Now, after an offseason of retooling, the Saints feel like they are ready to take a big leap forward as Tyler Shaw enters his second season of play. To get there, the Saints will continue to take risks on star talent.

Recently, the Saints invited one-time Pro Bowl kicker Youngho Koo to their upcoming rookie minicamp.

New Orleans had two different kickers last season, Charlie Smith and Blake Grupp. The latter really struggled, missing an NFL-high eight kicks during Week 12. The Saints released Group due to his accuracy issues, and he has since signed with the Indianapolis Colts.

Smith was more accurate, completing 75% of his field goal attempts, compared to Gruppe’s 69.2%. Both made all their extra point attempts.

As for Koo, the 31-year-old kicker played one game with the Atlanta Falcons and five games with the New York Giants last season. Still, he only made 66.7% of his field goals and 92.9% of his extra points, which is why he’s still looking for a contract at this stage in the offseason.

The Saints have Smith and undrafted rookie Mason Shipley on the roster. Koo hopes to work his way into the mix as well, and a strong showing in minicamp from May 8-10 will certainly help.

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The 2026 NFL Draft is fast approaching, and there has been a lot of attention paid to which direction the New Orleans Saints might lean with the eighth overall selection in the first round. Still, with a total of eight selections in the three-day event, the Saints will still find immediate contributors later on, especially considering they have two other selections in the top 73 selections.

However, the Saints could also use the draft as an opportunity to acquire one of their most recognizable players, depending on how the draft board looks for both them and other teams.

According to Saints general manager Mickey Loomis, the outcome of this weekend’s draft could “impact” the future of Alvin Kamara and Cameron Jordan’s status with the team.

“I think it could have an impact on it,” Loomis said. “You know, we’ll see what happens, and it goes both ways, it could impact them, from their perspective and also from our perspective.”

Jordan is already a free agent. Meanwhile, the Saints signed running back Travis Etienne to a four-year, $48 million contract this offseason, and Kamara is entering the final year of his contract. It’s certainly possible that another team would be willing to part with a third-day draft selection in exchange for Kamara. The five-time Pro Bowl back is now 30 years old and is playing his first season without at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage.

For a Saints team that has already moved on at the RB position, parting ways with Kamara for any type of draft compensation would be a win. Plus, they would be doing one of their franchise icons a favor by giving them a better opportunity elsewhere. Of course, they could have done him an even bigger favor by releasing him entirely, giving Kamara the chance to choose his own team rather than being traded there.

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Last offseason, first-year head coach Kellen Moore decided to select Tyler Shaw with the 40th overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. With that selection, the New Orleans Saints believe they have discovered their new franchise quarterback. Considering that Shaw helped lead the Saints to a respectable 5-4 record as a rookie, they may really have someone special in their QB room.

Now, it’s time to weaponize their young quarterback with a full team of pass-catchers. After all, Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson can’t do it all alone.

However, according to NFL insider Tony Pauline of Essential Sports, the Saints “will address the receiver and tight end positions in the draft.” Moreso, Pauline stated that “It could be a situation where the team takes Kenyon Saadiq with their first-round selection, then drafts a pass-rusher in the second round and ends Day 2 with a receiver like Elijah Sarratt.”

Sadiq is the best prospect in the draft. After clocking a 4.39-second 40 yard dash, a new NFL Scouting Combine record (for a tight end), Saadiq is projected to be a top-20 selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. Still, as Pauline speculates, Saadiq could be in a role much higher, possibly even as high as No. 8 for the Saints, where he would help compose a suddenly great tight end room with Johnson and recently signed Noah Fant.

As far as Sarratt is concerned, the Indiana receiver is viewed as a second to third-round pick. Given that the Saints have the 73rd overall pick, Surratt could certainly be in play on Day 2 for New Orleans.

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Last year, the New Orleans Saints believed they found their franchise quarterback by selecting Tyler Shaw in the second round. This time, the 2026 NFL Draft offers an opportunity to supplement Shaw with more weapons to help him succeed, or possibly help boost a Brandon Staley-led defense that is respectably ranked 16th in points allowed. In an ideal world, the Saints would accomplish both.

While the Saints have a total of eight selections heading into the three-day event, all eyes are focused on what New Orleans will do with the eighth overall selection. Whether it’s a receiver, pass-rusher, or someone else, it’s clear the Saints will have a chance to add blue-chip talent.

Recently, ESPN’s Matt Bowen identified the perfect fit for a top-20 prospect. In doing so, he identified star pass-rusher Reuben Benn Jr. as the ideal man for the Saints.

Of course, there’s no guarantee that Benn, who is viewed as a potential top-five pick, will even be available when the Saints are on the clock. However, there is no doubt that Benn can provide the pass-rush spark that New Orleans desperately needs, especially with Cameron Jordan still unsigned in free agency.

Ben is an ultra-athletic edge rusher who has the elite ability to bend and outmaneuver opponents. But it’s not just Gumby on edge; Despite having short arms, he has proven to be an effective run-stopper. He’ll be an impact player on all three downs, and he’s exactly the type of player the Saints should consider at No. 8, if he’s still available.

RELATED: New Orleans Saints could release Pro Bowl player

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

The NHL has been successful with its new expansion teams over the past few years. In 2017, the Vegas Golden Knights debuted and won their first Stanley Cup in 2023. Meanwhile, the Seattle Kraken make their 2021 debut and continue to push for another playoff berth. In fact, another city has emerged as an unexpected candidate.

NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said that Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry spoke to him regarding a potential team in New Orleans, as reported by Frank Serravalli on The Big Show with Rusik & Rose. Landry reportedly said there is a group of investors in New Orleans that are “really interested” in joining the league.

This is a shocking report, as New Orleans is not a very popular destination for hockey. Actually, there are no permanent hockey rinks in the metro area. There’s Baton Rouge Zydeco and Monroe Moccasins in Louisiana, but nothing based on the Big Easy.

If the NHL expands by 30 teams, they will likely add two more organizations instead of just one. So, who else could be a potential candidate for NHL expansion?

Potential NHL expansion destinations beyond New Orleans

The NHL is considering expansion, but they won’t rush the process. A group in New Orleans has expressed a desire to bring a professional hockey team; However, what other cities could join the mix? Two more southern cities in the United States are also mentioned.

Houston and Atlanta are two more destinations mentioned beyond New Orleans. Houston has never had an NHL team, but has hosted minor league and World Hockey Association teams. Most notably, hockey legend Gordie Howe was a member of the Houston Eros during the 1970s.

Atlanta fielded two NHL teams, but they never lasted. The Flames were in Atlanta from 1972 to 1980 before moving to Calgary. Then, the Thrashers came to the city from 1999 to 2011 before becoming the Winnipeg Jets. Both cities would be good options for the NHL regarding expansion.

As far as Canada goes, one stands out among the rest. Quebec is a destination that fans want for an NHL team. Quebec’s last NHL team was the Nordiques, who played in the league from 1979 to 1995 before moving to Denver to become the Colorado Avalanche. The city also had the Bulldogs during the 1919–20 NHL season.

All four of these options would be excellent for the NHL. 32 teams likely to arrive soon; However, don’t be shocked to see New Orleans in the mix to become an NHL organization.

READ MORE: Alex Ovechkin’s 2026 retirement plans – NHL Insider shares update

Austin Konensky is a sports writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and college football. His work…More about Austin Konensky

The New Orleans Saints have already made some big moves in free agency to boost Kellen Moore’s offense ahead of his second season as head coach. From signing running back Travis Etienne to a $52 million contract and signing guard David Edwards to a $61 million contract, it’s clear the Saints aren’t afraid to spend to get the upgrades they want.

Still, the Saints can’t continue adding expensive players. Eventually, they too may have to say goodbye to someone.

Recently, Matthew Paras of Nola.com reported that the Saints are still not comfortable withholding Alvin Kamara’s $10.5 million cap hit for 2026. Unless five-time Pro Bowler Kamara agrees to take a pay cut, he could be released from the team. That is, unless a trade partner emerges for the 31-year-old tailback soon.

As head coach Kellen Moore said Monday, Kamara “definitely belongs on the roster.” But based on Paras’ reporting, this may not last long.

Kamara was having a poor season, playing and starting only 11 games, recording 471 rushing yards and just one touchdown. He also threw for another 186 yards as a receiver. Still, it dwarfs Kamara’s typical production, making it easy to see why they were willing to pay so much money for a new starter in Etienne.

While Kamara may remain in a fairly reduced role, he may get better opportunities to see the field elsewhere. Still, perhaps he would prefer to stick with the only team he has known since being taken as the 67th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

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The New Orleans Saints finished last season on a high note by winning four of their last five games. Now, the Saints are looking to take the next step in their development, and franchise quarterback Tyler Shaw has an idea how to do it.

The Saints have eight selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, including three in the top 75 selections. Shaw wants the Saints to use one of them at receiver, who was his former college teammate at Louisville.

According to wide receiver draft prospect Chris Bell, Shaw is campaigning internally for the Saints to draft his old teammate.

“He said he wants me so bad, and he’s putting my name forward,” via WHAS 11’s Sarandon Raboin.

Bell is coming off a career-high 917 yards and six touchdowns in 2025 before tearing his ACL in November. He is expected to be ready for the start of NFL training camp. He also had a strong season in 2024, catching passes from Shaw, recording 737 yards and four touchdowns.

Now both want their connection to continue in New Orleans. Bell is viewed as a potential late first-round selection, with a higher chance of being selected at some point on Day 2. Holding the eighth, 42nd and 73rd picks, the Saints should have a good chance to land Bell on draft weekend.

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With playmaking guard Dejounte Murray sidelined for most of the season recovering from an Achilles injury and role players cycling in and out of the lineup, it has been nearly impossible to establish a clear offensive chain of command. Fortunately, the now fully healthy New Orleans Pelicans are making progress playing without the pressure of finishing the season. Zion Williamson, Saddiq Bey and Trey Murphy III are taking turns seeing what works while James Borrego largely stays out of the way.

This may not sound like very good coaching at first, but drawing on his years of experience as an assistant with Gregg Popovich’s San Antonio Spurs, Borrego knows exactly what a functional hierarchy looks like. The 23-year NBA coaching veteran with two championship rings also knows it doesn’t happen overnight. Williamson, Bey and Murphy III need reps with Murray to sort everything out themselves.

“I think the best teams in the league, the teams that are chasing titles, winning titles, advancing in the playoffs, they have a clear pecking order in general,” Borrego insisted. “The teams I’ve been a part of, it was obviously Duncan, Ginobili and Parker. Now, that order may vary at some point throughout the season or in different games. Through different seasons or different playoff series, it may vary there.”

Those Spurs teams became the gold standard for consistency and offensive clarity. Duncan often served as the foundational piece inside, while Ginobili and Parker served as dynamic perimeter creators who could take over extensions when the matchup demanded it.

However, unlike those famous Spurs, these Pelicans are still in development years after drafting Williamson and Murphy III.

“Our group, we’re not quite there yet,” Borrego confessed. “We’re trying to figure it out. I think the luxury right now is that we don’t really know, and our competitors don’t know.”

That uncertainty can be a double-edged sword. While that lack of clarity can sometimes lead to confusing turnover, Borrego is choosing to see it as a competitive advantage. This work-in-progress roster is learning the ropes with a fluid system that lets the hot hand direct the offense rather than a rigid star system.

It’s working wonders for Murphy III, Bey and Williamson, judging solely on individual hooping stats. Murray has settled into the starting lineup like an All-Star. The next step is to make the whole greater than the sum of the parts. He’s on Borrego.

Borrego stressed, “We’re going to find the right matchups; it’s my job to help them get that advantage. But people are recognizing it, they’re counting on it.” “You know, assuming it’s not my time, so let’s play through Saddiq here. Let’s play through Murph here. Let’s play through Zion here. Because I think great players, when they find a rhythm, they want to stay in that rhythm. And it’s the same thing as a team. When you get some rhythm, you want to stay in that rhythm. I think we’ll get there at some point. I think That luxury right now is that we can play through multiple guys.”

It’s a bit silly to talk about the unknown as a luxury this season. Yet, despite a 21-45 record that has left them well out of the playoff picture, the Pelicans have shown signs of life, going 6-4 after the All-Star break. However, fans should take that news with a grain of salt. Borrego has defeated one of the top six in 2026 and just three since taking office. So, whether that luxury becomes a long-term asset or another sign of a team that is still searching for an identity will depend on how quickly these Pelicans find their version of Duncan, Ginobili and Parker.

Former NBA center Kendrick Perkins believes the New Orleans Pelicans should consider a major decision involving Zion Williamson this offseason, suggesting that the franchise evaluate potential trade offers for the former No. 1 overall pick.

Perkins shared his perspective during a recent episode of The Road Trippin’ Show, where he discussed Williamson’s recent improved availability and the Pelicans’ long-term direction.

“If I’m the Pelicans, I’d definitely shop around this offseason to see what kind of assets I can get back,” Perkins said.

“So, with this sample size of Zion, he’s not only helping the Pelicans, but I believe he’s helping himself. And I think it’s too late now…to try to rekindle this relationship and make it work and say he’s going to be our guy?”

The 25-year-old Williamson has delivered one of the healthiest seasons of his NBA career. He recently played 35 consecutive games, the longest such streak of his professional tenure, which has helped change the narrative about his durability.

In 47 games this season, including 40 starts, Williamson is averaging 21.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He is shooting 58.7 percent from the field and 25 percent from three-point range while playing 29.6 minutes per contest.

“If I’m the Pelicans, I’ll definitely shop him this offseason to see what kind of assets I can get back… It’s too late to restart this relationship.”

Kendrick Perkins thinks New Orleans should trade Zion Williamson

(via @RoadTrippinShow)pic.twitter.com/T4BJBdrjae

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 6 March 2026

Despite Williamson’s individual production, the Pelicans have struggled to translate that performance into consistent team success. New Orleans currently sits in 13th place in the Western Conference standings with a 20-44 record, which raises questions about the organization’s long-term roster construction.

Kendrick Perkins questions Zion Williamson’s long-term future with Pelicans

Perkins acknowledged Williamson’s progress this season but questioned whether the forward should remain the centerpiece of the franchise moving forward.

“Do I believe Zion can go and help and be a man for somebody? Absolutely,” Perkins said.

“Like, I believe he can be a second or third option to the main option, but he’s not a cornerstone where you really want to build your franchise.”

Perkins also credited Williamson for reshaping the conversation around his professionalism and accountability during the current season.

Perkins said, “But I believe Zion has changed the story about him.” “Shout out to him because accountability means having tough conversations with people in his circle, leaving some people in his circle, going under Bill Duffy’s wing, and being able to have that level of accountability.”

The Pelicans have not publicly indicated any intention to move Williamson, who remains one of the league’s most talented offensive players even when healthy. However, the team’s record and long-term trajectory could impact how the front office moves forward in the upcoming offseason.

For now, New Orleans is focused on finishing the season. The Pelicans are scheduled to conclude a six-game road trip on Friday night when they face the Phoenix Suns (35-27) at 9:00 pm ET.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson has opened up about the challenges of his career, specifically his numerous injuries and criticism regarding his weight.

While he is one of the best players in the NBA, Williamson has struggled to stay on the court due to health issues. In an interview with ESPN, he admitted that he was disappointed when he missed his third season due to a broken foot and that people blamed his weight.

Instead of expressing sympathy for the 25-year-old star who is struggling with an ankle injury, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith called him a “food addict.” He also claimed that the Pelicans “encouraged” him to talk to Williamson about his weight.

In response, Pelican posted a video of Smith’s popular bloopers on X, adding the caption, “Stick to solitaire, Stephen.” Bonus points for effortless alliteration.

Of course, Smith did not hide his anger and threatened the Pelicans.

“Removing stuff from a decade, two decades, three decades ago? No problem. See you all tomorrow at @FirstTech. Remember one thing: you asked for it!” the 58-year-old analyst wrote.

Pulling out stuff from a decade, two decades, three decades ago, ???? No problem. see you all tomorrow @FirstTech. Remember one thing: YOU ASKED FOR THIS!!!!

-Stephen A. Smith (@stephenasmith) 3 March 2026

The moment Smith doesn’t return a blow is the moment the world’s most distinguished historians will write about.

However, Pelican’s work was not complete, Posting a GIF Of Smith’s former partner, Max Zellerman.

https://t.co/Rgq8Y1zJv5 pic.twitter.com/ShVwloRERf

– New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) 3 March 2026

Smith has repeatedly been involved in well-publicized controversies, including an altercation with Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James last season. James also tackled Smith during a game, with Smith later describing the move as “weak”.

Smith has often defended his role as a member of the media, and it seems he will pull the same card with the Pelicans. No, he can’t use it on solitaire.

The New Orleans Pelicans have been playing some better basketball lately, Dejounte Murray recently returned from an Achilles injury and the team is slowly but surely making its way up the standings. Perhaps the most surprising development over the past few months for New Orleans has been Zion Williamson’s ability to stay on the court consistently.

Recently, Williamson got 100% honest about how he envisions the Pelicans’ identity moving forward.

“We’re building our own identity. We’ve dealt with injuries, coaching changes… despite all that, our energy is still high, we have a positive locker room. It’s ‘What’s next?’ It’s ‘How do we build from this?'” Williamson said via ESPN, per the Pelicans Film Room.

Sadly, injuries have been a major part of Williamson’s NBA story so far, with the former number one overall draft pick constantly being sidelined due to various ailments, most of which are related to his feet.

When he is on the court, Williamson remains a terror to opposing defenses, able to consistently attack the basket and finish at the rim, while also being a threat on the offensive glass.

However, persistent foot injuries throughout his career have threatened to derail the athleticism that was once his hallmark, and he has missed several seasons so far in his career.

Still, it’s certainly a positive sign that he’s able to remain on the court consistently as the calendar turns to 2025-26, though it’s unclear whether the Pelicans’ front office, who recently traded a potential 2026 lottery pick in exchange for fellow big man Derrick Queen, still views Williamson as part of the team’s long-term plans.

In any case, the Pelicans are scheduled to take the field on Tuesday evening for a road game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Winning cures all ills, or so the cliché goes. However, defeating the Golden State Warriors did not prevent Dejounte Murray from leading the rebuilding New Orleans Pelicans after a disappointing former All-Star season. The 29-year-old was less modest about what James Borrego has been pushing since last August.

Instead, the veteran guard shared a blunt assessment that balances disappointment with perspective.

Murray cursed, “We didn’t have a king rebound. We were terrible. We were terrible. Like, we should have practiced rebounding yesterday.” “Literally, Herb Jones didn’t rebound. You know what I’m saying? When he rebounds, we all rebound.”

Murray finished with three assists and two boards for 13 points in 25 minutes, so there were smiles in the locker room after the game after the quick hit.

Still, he stuck to one particular game while grading the bigger picture after his first game in nearly 13 months.

“We can get better. I think I’d give us a C+ tonight. It’s beautiful to get a C+ and win a basketball game in the NBA against a good team,” Murray allowed. “I don’t care who’s in, who’s out. Steve Kerr coaches his team very well. He has a system, and he’s put the right players in there to be successful.”

The forgiving grades underlined the bigger picture. Even a “terrible” performance can serve as a useful building block.

“I think we probably got like a C or C+,” Murray reiterated. “We could have been more solid. Like, I had a little turnover there. I think I got fouled, but there’s no excuses. We have to be solid. When teams are stuck and trying to come from behind, we have to stay in our spots and be there for each other. I think that’s my job, but also, you know, it’s a collective unit. I’m a point guard, and like I said, I’m here to make everybody better. I’m here to win, so we have to be better overall. After we win, you can move on from things and, you know, correct those errors.”

Seven of the next nine games are on the road, starting with a six-game trip to the Western Conference. At least the first two games of the trip are against the lottery-picked Utah Jazz. It’s the perfect setup for Dejounte Murray’s Pelicans to let off some steam before summer break.

Deciding not to make a head coaching change for the second consecutive season, the New Orleans Saints have largely flown under the radar at the start of the offseason. After first-year head coach Kellen Moore led the Saints to a respectable 6-11 record, now it’s time to upgrade the roster as the team moves on with Tyler Shaw as the franchise quarterback.

Still, sometimes teams are forced to take a step back before they can make progress. Even if it means saying goodbye to a franchise icon.

Recently, future Hall of Fame defensive lineman Cam Jordan addressed his upcoming free agency with TMZ Sports. In doing so, Jordan acknowledged the possibility that he might join a different team for the first time in his 15-year NFL career.

However, even returning to the saints does not close the book. Jordan says New Orleans “could have a bright future” with Shaw as QB. He also says that after a 10.5 sack season, the 36-year-old is not looking for “top dollar.” He just wants to “be important” with his next contract.

“If you get a 10-sack season, if I was a 26-year-old, I’d demand top dollar,” Jordan said. “The things I’ve never asked for are top dollar. All I’ve asked for is to be valuable.”

The question is, will it come to this for a Saints team that may be close, but has not reached the playoffs since 2020?

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Derik Queen is choosing optimism as the New Orleans Pelicans stare down a pivotal stretch of the 2025–26 NBA season. Speaking after an encouraging win on Friday, the Pelicans forward voiced strong belief in the group’s chemistry and its ability to flip the narrative over the final 42 games.

“The chemistry might not show in the wins, but we’re all close, we all like each other. It’s still a work in progress,” Queen said. “We’ve got like 40 games left. Hopefully have a great winning percentage the next 40 games.”

His comments reflect a locker room still united despite a season that has yet to meet expectations. Queen had 14 points, 16 rebounds, and 12 assists in a big win over the Washington Wizards.

That optimism comes amid a difficult campaign for New Orleans. As of this writing, the Pelicans sit at 9-31, placing them 14th in the Western Conference and fifth in the Southwest Division. They are outside the current playoff picture. Injuries, inconsistency, and late-game struggles have plagued the team. These have prevented them from building sustained momentum. Still, the organization has emphasized development and cohesion. They are leaning on internal growth rather than short-term fixes as they evaluate their direction heading into the second half of the season.

Queen has been a notable bright spot during that process. He is currently averaging 12.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. He has shown steady growth while adjusting to increasing responsibilities in the rotation. His energy, physicality, and willingness to do the dirty work have earned trust from the coaching staff, even as the wins haven’t consistently followed. More importantly, Queen’s outlook underscores a broader belief within the locker room that New Orleans can still salvage pride and progress from a challenging season by finishing strong.