The New Orleans Saints have officially named their team captains for the 2026 season, and the announcement carries particular weight because of who now wears the patch on offense.
Second-year quarterback Tyler Shough was voted one of nine captains by his teammates, a clear signal that the locker room already sees him as more than just the starter heading into his first full year under center.
Shough arrived in New Orleans as the 40th overall pick a year ago and spent much of his rookie campaign proving he belonged.
He appeared in 11 games and started nine of them, completing 67.6 percent of his passes for 2,384 yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Those numbers earned him a second-place finish in Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. More importantly, they showed a young quarterback who could handle the physical and mental demands of the position while the franchise worked through another transitional period.
Leadership has been an open question since Demario Davis departed in free agency. Shough and defensive end Chase Young both spoke openly during the offseason about filling that void. Teammates took notice.
When the players voted ahead of a team dinner this week, they chose Shough as one of five first-time Saints captains. The other new faces are guard David Edwards, linebacker Kaden Elliss, linebacker Chris Rumph II and Young.
Returning captains include longtime defensive end Cam Jordan, who will wear the patch for a 12th season, along with center Erik McCoy, safety Justin Reid and long snapper Zach Wood.
Jordan’s presence still matters. Entering his 16th year with the only team he has ever known, he remains the most experienced voice in the room. Yet the vote for Shough suggests the Saints are looking forward as much as they are honoring the past.
A starting quarterback who organizes offseason workouts, pays for teammates to train together and carries himself like the face of the franchise is exactly what most NFL teams expect from the position. Shough has already begun doing that work.
The Saints open the season on the road against Detroit this Sunday. How quickly Shough translates locker-room respect into consistent production will shape the year.
For now, his teammates have already given him the most visible vote of confidence they can offer. The captain’s patch is on his chest. The next step is proving he can lead them on the field.
