Behind Enemy Lines: Getting to Know the Saints Ahead of Rams Preseason Matchup

Get an inside look at the Saints before they face the Rams, including Tyler Shough, Brandon Staley, position battles and players to watch.

Aug 20, 2026; Woodland Hills, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay and New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore during a joint practice at Rams Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Los Angeles Rams held a joint practice with the New Orleans Saints on Thursday before the two teams go head-to-head in the preseason on Saturday. Before Saturday's game, we got together with Saints On SI publisher, Doug Joubert to answer some questions.

Rams fans are obviously familiar with Brandon Staley from his time as defensive coordinator in Los Angeles. He had the Saints defense playing well down the stretch last season. How have they built on that throughout training camp?

Saints players smile when you bring up Staley's scheme. Every one we've spoken to, from Cam Jordan to Kool-Aid McKinstry, has talked about how free they feel within his system. The defensive men speak about "flying to the ball" and "playing at full speed." Now in their second year playing in Staley's D, the players comment on how they are at the next step in the defensive installation: not thinking about what to do next, just do it.

With Jordyn Tyson’s unfortunate injury this week, who are some players to watch who could fill that gap? How does Tyson’s absence affect the Saints’ ability to evaluate Tyler Shough heading into Year 2?

Besides Chris Olave, fresh off a new contract extension, and #3 receiver Devaughn Vele, a big-bodied possession type of receiver, draft picks Bryce Lance (who sat out last week due to some training camp bumps and bruises) and Barion Brown have shown the most promise through camp. Both Brown and Lance can fly, but they have both shown promise on crossing routes. However, they truly are stretch-the-field kind of guys.

Tyson and Shough were really starting to gain a connection through camp. Both credit a Summer trip to San Diego to visit with Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees, who walked them (along with a few other offensive players) through what he would do to get ready for a season. There is no doubt Shough will miss Tyson's athletic abilities. However, there is no question that Shough is the starting QB. The race right now is for who will be 2nd string: last year's beginning-of-the-year starter Spencer Rattler or former overall 2nd pick in the 2021 draft Zach Wilson.

How has Tyler Shough looked in his first full offseason as the starter and in his second year in Kellen Moore’s system? What are some things that Saints fans need to see from him to have confidence in him as their franchise QB?

Shough has looked sharp. Against a solid #1 Cowboys defense on Tuesday, he was able to toss a pair of touchdowns and some beautiful touch passes when a receiver split a sideline zone. He seems to have a true feel for Moore's offense, doesn't second-guess himself, and shows a confidence that belies only being in the league for two years. Now, he is 26-years old (turning 27 in late September), so that is a factor.

Saints fans are ready for his next step in the process of being the team's starting quarterback. They were tired of the "quarterback-du-jour" system since Brees retired. When Shough led the pre-game huddle on the field (even though he was not playing in the game and was dressed down), the Superdome fans went bananas.

Is there a position battle that you'll be watching closely in Saturday's game, and how has that position battle developed throughout training camp?

No doubt the two we're looking at closely are the aforementioned wide receiver position and running backs. With Tyson out for an undetermined amount of time as of this writing, the battle for the #3 and 4 slot will be hot and heavy. We're expecting six wide receivers to be kept on the final 53-man roster, one of which we'll talk about next.

If Rams fans only watch one Saints player Saturday, who should it be and why?

Wide receiver Bub Means. He was drafted by the Saints in the 5th round in 2024, but injuries have sidelined him for most of his young career. In preseason game #1 last week, Means was the highest-graded receiver by PFF and the 2nd highest-graded run blocker, only behind starting tackle Asim Richards. Means is considered a bubble candidate, even with the injury to Tyson, but his play against Jacksonville has definitely moved his meter.