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Saints announce their team captains to start the 2026 season
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- Saints announce their team captains to start the 2026 season
New Orleans Saints team captains have officially been announced. The Saints begin their regular season on Sunday, Sept. 13 with a game at the Detroit Lions . New Orleans will have nine captains for coach Kellen Moore's squad in 2026. Some are familiar names and faces. Others are new to this role.
Saints Offensive Captains
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QB Tyler Shough
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C Erik McCoy
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No surprise that the quarterback is a team captain. This is Shough's team, with their success hinging largely on his performance. Shough assumed a clear leadership role in the huddle this offseason. McCoy returns to his position of captain and leader of the offensive line. Outside of Alvin Kamara , no offensive player has been with the Saints longer than McCoy. David Edwards was an offseason addition and the only newcomer to the team elected as captain. Edwards will fill the badly-needed void at left guard.
Saints Defensive Captains
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DE Chase Young
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LB Kaden Elliss
Not one person should be surprised that Jordan is in this position. Entering his 16th season, Jordan is the longest-tenured Saint and a true leader. Young is a new captain. The success of the defense depends largely on his performance, but by the end of 2025 he'd also become a leader on the defensive side. Kaden Elliss returns to New Orleans not just to fill the free agent departure of Demario Davis , but also steps into Davis' shoes as captain. Elliss will most likely be the defensive play-caller. The elder of the Saints secondary, veteran Reid assumes the official leadership responsibility.
Saints Special Teams Captains
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LS Zach Wood
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LB Chris Rumph II
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Wood is one of the better long snappers in the NFL and the glue to the special teams. Rumph is a consistently reliable player for Brendan Staley's defense, but should also be the emotional leader of the special teams units.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints announce their team captains to start the 2026 season
