6 burning questions for the New Orleans Saints offense to answer at training camp

The New Orleans Saints are in a pretty difficult position entering the 2025 season, where they have significantly more questions than answers. With a mixed bag between veteran talents and young prospects, the squad could be impressive, or it could just be flat-out bad. With a ton of roster decisions to be made before their campaign kicks off, especially on offense, they have plenty of work to handle in the coming weeks.

In this article, we will be taking a look at one burning question for each position group on offense, and discussing the multiple ways it could play out over the course of the next few weeks. So without further ado, let's start with the big one:

QB: Does Tyler Shough run away with the starting job, or does Spencer Rattler have something left to show?

One of the biggest questions entering the 2025 NFL draft was who would end up being the Saints' starting quarterback this season. With Derek Carr out of the picture, having retired this offseason, the team was left with Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener in their quarterback room. After not selecting a first-round quarterback, things got even more confusing, up until they chose Tyler Shough out of Louisville in the early second round.

However, that only adds more fuel to the fire, as now the battle ensues between the three of them. While Shough is the presumed starter by many for the time being, Rattler may be able to sneak away with the job; it is just a matter of who performs better during camps and in the preseason.

RB: Could Kendre Miller be off the roster by the start of the season?

This is a discussion that was happening this time last season as well, as Miller has struggled to remain healthy throughout his whole NFL career so far. In two seasons with the team, he has only managed to play 14 of a possible 34 games, and even in those games did not get significant snap counts as many hoped he would.

Now, the running back room is a bit more filled out, with Devin Neal, Cam Akers, Marcus Yarns, and Velus Jones Jr. entering the picture. He is going to have to go up against this group of backs and beat at least three of the four out for a job, which will be an interesting mountain to climb for him, to say the least.

WR: Can Chris Olave remain healthy and make 2025 a statement season?

This one is rather obvious, as Olave being healthy improves the ceiling of the team exponentially, and when he is injured, the offense falls apart, especially if it is for an extended period of time. With three seasons under his belt, he has shown some truly impressive skills during his time with the Saints, but the concussions have been an extremely concerning development.

Maintaining his health needs to be a focus this year, even if that means wearing a guardian cap for games. If he does not stay healthy, it puts a ton of pressure on whoever ends up being the quarterback to make plays without him.

TE: Will Juwan Johnson live up to the expectations of his new extension?

With Taysom Hill out of the picture for a while and Foster Moreau coming off an injury, Juwan Johnson could be looking at a large workload this season. After signing a new three-year $30.75 million deal this offseason, all eyes are going to be on him to finally take that next step as a player. With Kellen Moore being a very tight end-focused scheme maker, hopefully, that could put Johnson in a good position to develop further. If not, a slow season could put the Saints in a bad position this year, as they desperately need some production from their offensive playmakers.

OT: How does Kelvin Banks Jr. fit into the equation, and can Taliese Fuaga work out regardless of position?

This may be one of the largest questions across the entire team entering the 2025 season, as their offensive tackle position is a bit mixed currently. Taliese Fuaga played the entire 2024 season at left tackle after spending his collegiate career on the right side, but now with Kelvin Banks Jr. entering the equation, the expectation is that Banks will take over left and Fuaga moves back to right.

While Fuaga was not lights out last season, he was very good for playing blindside for the first time in a decent while. Moving him again seems like a decision that could backfire, but getting both of these high-value talents on the field at the same time could have a ton of upside. Hopefully, this pans out as a long-term tackle pairing, and not a perpetual position-switching issue like many other offensive linemen for the Saints.

IOL: Is anyone finally going to step up at left guard?

The interior offensive line is headlined by Erik McCoy, and getting him back from his injury will be a huge boon to the team's success. Cesar Ruiz also had a solid season in 2024 at right guard, but the left guard spot was a bit of a mixed bag of talent. Things have changed once again as Trevor Penning, Dillon Radunz, and Kyle Hergel are the three options at left guard for 2025.

Penning has struggled at various spots during his NFL Career and will now be fighting for his spot on the team as a whole, but Radunz is also a solid option as a signee from this offseason. Hergel got a little bit of playing time last season and could be an interesting development option. Whoever finds their stride during the preseason could take the starting role, and hopefully, they can fill out a seemingly strong Saints offensive line.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Picking one key question for each Saints offensive position group