The New Orleans Saints’ defense was nothing more than a concept for two weeks of the preseason. Brandon Staley’s unit remained largely on the sideline, with veterans in ball caps and hoodies while the backups and rookies took the bulk of the snaps. Fans and analysts could only speculate about how the revamped group would look once the real pieces hit the field.
That changed Saturday afternoon in the Caesars Superdome.
In their preseason finale against the Denver Broncos, the Saints finally unleashed their starting defense for a brief three-series cameo. The final score — a 28-19 loss — won’t turn heads, and the box score won’t earn national praise. But beneath the numbers was something Saints fans desperately needed to see: grit, physicality, and flashes of dominance that suggest this defense might just be ready to shoulder the load in 2025.
Against Denver’s starting offense, the Saints’ defense played 19 snaps. Twelve of those plays gained two yards or fewer, including six run stuffs that brought the Superdome crowd to life. Davon Godchaux, the trade acquisition run-stopper acquired in March, made his presence known immediately by blowing up a run on Denver’s opening drive — exactly the type of play New Orleans has been missing in recent seasons.
The Broncos were forced into a quick three-and-out on that opening possession. On Denver’s second series, the Saints again forced minimal gains, with the Broncos only extending the drive thanks to a 47-yard kick return that set up favorable field position. Even then, it took a third-and-9 completion and a fourth-and-5 conversion — perfectly executed throws by rookie quarterback Bo Nix — to keep the drive alive. Denver ultimately settled for a field goal.
For a defense that ranked 26th against the run in 2024 and struggled to generate consistent stops, this was a glimpse of what Staley’s scheme could bring when paired with veteran leadership and fresh talent.
Of course, the performance wasn’t flawless. On Denver’s third series, linebacker Demario Davis — still the heartbeat of this defense at 36 years old — made a sideline-to-sideline stop on a jet sweep that should have killed the drive. A second-down incompletion set the Broncos up with a daunting second-and-20, but a questionable unsportsmanlike penalty on Davis gifted Denver a fresh set of downs.
Two plays later, rookie corner Kool-Aid McKinstry was beaten by Courtland Sutton on a corner route for a 43-yard gain. Sutton struck again three plays later, beating safety Julian Blackmon on a contested catch for a 19-yard touchdown.
That quick burst of misfortune turned what should have been another three-and-out into Denver’s only touchdown drive against the starters. It was a reminder that while the Saints’ defense showed toughness, discipline, and consistency, it still needs to catch up.
Voices From the Field
Despite the touchdown allowed, the tone from players and coaches afterward was optimistic.
“Love the energy, love the effort, love the physicality,” head coach Kellen Moore said. “I feel like our guys were in position to compete every play.”
Davis echoed those sentiments, stressing the importance of being ready to match up with top competition:
“It was very exciting to get out there and see how prepared we were to go against a Denver team that some headlines say is going to be in the Super Bowl,” Davis said. “To be that ready to go is very exciting.”
Even veteran pass rusher Cam Jordan, entering the twilight of his career, framed the outing as a foundation to build upon:
“We’ve warmed the water,” Jordan said. “Hopefully it’ll be boiling in 15 days.”
That date, of course, points to the Saints’ Week 1 opener against the Arizona Cardinals.
Missing Pieces Still to Come
The Saints’ defense wasn’t even at full strength against Denver. Starting cornerback Alontae Taylor, expected to play a crucial role in Staley’s “star” position, sat out with a groin injury. When healthy, Taylor allows New Orleans to mix coverages and move pieces around in the secondary.
Even without Taylor, the Saints’ secondary held up well for most of the night. Kool-Aid McKinstry’s growing pains were visible, but his technique and closing speed show why the team is excited about his future. Blackmon, the free-agent addition at safety, nearly had an interception before Sutton’s touchdown catch. And Justin Reid, another veteran newcomer, delivered steady communication on the back end.
If Taylor returns healthy in time for Week 1, the Saints will field a starting defense with no glaring holes — something that hasn’t been said in recent years.
The Saints’ offense remains very much a work in progress. The quarterback battle between Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough has yet to produce a definitive winner, and the offensive line is still shuffling after preseason injuries. While Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave, and Rashid Shaheed bring firepower, this is not projected to be a top-tier offense in Year 1 of the Kellen Moore era.
That’s why the defense must become the Saints’ backbone. If Staley’s scheme delivers, the Saints could steal games in a wide-open NFC South. Tampa Bay won the division at 10-7 last year. Carolina and Atlanta are still figuring themselves out. A defense that can hold opponents to manageable scores could give New Orleans a fighting chance, even with offensive growing pains.
Balancing Preparation and Preservation
One key takeaway from Saturday was how carefully Moore managed his starters. The Saints let the defense play just enough to get live reps, then pulled them before injuries could risk derailing the season before it starts.
“You have to be careful with your older guys and starters, because you want them to get those live reps, but you really don’t want to lose anybody with bullets that don’t count,” Davis said.
That balance — staying sharp without jeopardizing health — is a constant preseason challenge. For the Saints, it looks like they’ve managed it well.
What’s Next
With the preseason in the rearview, all eyes shift to Sept. 7 in the Superdome. The Saints will open against an Arizona Cardinals team that is still retooling under head coach Jonathan Gannon. It’s the perfect test for a defense eager to prove it’s more than just a promising theory.
If Saturday’s performance was any indication, the Saints’ defense won’t be elite immediately. There will be penalties, missed assignments, and the occasional explosive play allowed. But what they showed — physicality at the line of scrimmage, discipline in pursuit, and a veteran leader still playing at a high level — is enough to suggest they’re on the right track.
Saturday afternoon’s matchup didn’t rewrite the Saints’ season outlook. They’re still widely viewed as a rebuilding team with major questions on offense. But the Who Dat Nation saw the defensive starters in action for the first time this summer. And what they showed was encouraging: a group capable of dictating terms, controlling the line of scrimmage, and setting a tone for the season ahead.
It was no longer just theory.
The Saints’ defense offered a glimpse of what’s to come.
