The New Orleans Saints closed out the 2026 preseason Friday night with something every team wants heading into the regular season: momentum.
New Orleans defeated the Dallas Cowboys 27-24 at AT&T Stadium, finishing the preseason 1-2. The victory may not count toward the regular-season standings, but for first-year head coach Kellen Moore and a roster full of players fighting for jobs, the final preseason performance provided valuable answers—and plenty of reasons for Saints Nation to pay attention.
From the AMPS Magazine perspective, this preseason was less about wins and losses and more about discovering what this new Saints team could become.
Moore made the decision to rest starting quarterback Tyler Shough and other starters in the preseason finale, giving younger players and roster hopefuls one final opportunity to make their case. Spencer Rattler got the start and delivered a composed performance, completing 8 of 10 passes for 79 yards while also rushing for a touchdown. Zach Wilson took over in the second half and completed 9 of 12 passes for 93 yards, helping put New Orleans in position for Daniel Carlson's game-winning 53-yard field goal with 1:55 remaining.
The Saints also received encouraging performances from their running backs. Audric Estime ripped off a 33-yard run, Kendre Miller finished with 42 rushing yards, C.J. Donaldson added 33, and newcomer Zamir White scored an 11-yard touchdown. Ronnie Bell led the Saints with six receptions for 65 yards.
But perhaps the biggest storyline of the preseason was competition.
With Moore beginning his first season in New Orleans, every practice and preseason game has been part of establishing a new identity. The Saints are looking for consistency, toughness and players who can execute when opportunities arrive. The quarterback room, in particular, received plenty of attention, with Rattler and Wilson competing for the backup role behind Shough.
And that's where expectations for 2026 need to be realistic.
The Saints are not entering the season as a finished product. They are entering it as a team undergoing a transition. A new coaching philosophy, developing young players and difficult roster decisions all make this season something of a measuring stick for the franchise.
That doesn't mean Saints fans should lower their expectations. It means they should watch closely.
New Orleans opens the regular season September 13 against the Detroit Lions, and that matchup will provide a much clearer picture of how quickly Moore's vision is taking shape.
The preseason showed flashes: quarterback depth, running-back competition, young receivers making plays and a defense that will have to become more consistent. The 27-24 victory over Dallas showed something else—the Saints can fight until the final whistle.
Now comes the part that counts.
For Saints Nation, 2026 represents more than another season. It is the beginning of a new chapter under Kellen Moore. The preseason may have ended with a field goal in Dallas, but the real story of the New Orleans Saints is just getting started.
AMPS Magazine's Take: Don't judge this Saints team solely by its preseason record. Watch the development, the competition and the culture. If those three elements come together, New Orleans could surprise some people in 2026.