The opponents for the 2026 season are set, and just looking at this list tells you one thing right away — nothing’s going to be handed to the Saints.
You’ve got division games you know are always a fight. You’ve got physical teams coming into the Dome. You’ve got tough road trips where you find out real quick what kind of team you are. That’s the NFL.
What jumps out to me is the balance.
The home slate gives fans some real matchups to get excited about. Familiar rivals, teams that travel well, and games where the Dome can absolutely make a difference. If this team is serious about building a winning culture, protecting home field has to be a priority.
The road schedule? That’s where growth gets tested. Playing away from New Orleans tells you who’s disciplined, who’s prepared, and who can handle adversity. Good teams win at home. Better teams find ways to win on the road.
This list also tells me something else — next season is about answers.
By the time these games roll around, we need to know:
- Who this team is offensively
- Whether the quarterback situation is settled
- Which young players are part of the future
- And whether the Saints can consistently finish games
No excuses. No hiding behind the schedule.
For the fans — especially season ticket holders — this should bring some optimism. There are meaningful games here. Games worth showing up for. Games that can tell us if the direction we started seeing late last season is real.
We’ll get dates and times later. But now that the opponents are locked in, the focus shifts to preparation, development, and expectation.
Because next year isn’t about hoping anymore.
It’s about proving.
Who Dat.
— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank