The New Orleans Saints are heading into the 2026 season with a different look, both on the roster and in the locker room. One of the biggest storylines is how the team's leadership group will change as new captains emerge ahead of the new campaign.
Last season, the Saints had eight captains in total, with three on offense, three on defense and two on special teams. That structure showed leadership spread across all phases of the team, but it will not remain exactly the same going into 2026.
Of those eight captains from last year, five are returning. That gives New Orleans an experienced core to build around, while also leaving room for other players to step into larger leadership roles. With roster movement and a new season approaching, the balance between continuity and change will be a major part of the Saints' identity.
The 2026 Saints leadership picture now centers on which returning veterans hold their place and which newer voices rise into captain roles. As the season gets closer, the team's updated captain group will offer an early sign of how New Orleans plans to move forward with its new roster and new leaders.
