The countdown to the 2026 NFL schedule release is ticking, and New Orleans Saints fans have every reason to wonder if their team will finally get back under the prime-time lights. After being completely shut out of night games in 2025, the Saints are hoping for a rebound—and the momentum is building.
Life without Drew Brees and Sean Payton has been a tough adjustment, but last season offered a glimmer of hope. Kellen Moore and quarterback Tyler Shough seemed to spark a turnaround, and an aggressive offseason—highlighted by major free-agent signings and bold draft picks—has only added fuel to the fire. The question is: will it be enough to convince the schedule-makers?
The numbers tell a sobering story. Since 2022, only six teams have been featured in fewer night games than the Saints (9): the Carolina Panthers (4), Cleveland Browns (6), Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts (7), and the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals (8). Even worse, New Orleans is just 1-8 in those matchups, with the lone win coming against Carolina on a Monday night in 2023. And Sunday Night Football? NBC hasn't extended an invitation since the Saints set the record for the lowest-scoring game in the series' history—a 9-0 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021. Moore and Shough clearly have more work to do to prove this team is ready for the bright lights.
But there's reason for optimism. Last season, a dozen teams received multiple night games despite missing the playoffs in 2024. Half of them were only a year or two removed from postseason runs. The other half? The Atlanta Falcons earned five prime-time games, while the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots each got four. The Las Vegas Raiders landed three, and the Arizona Cardinals and New York Jets each played twice under the lights.
So what does that mean for the Saints? It would be disappointing if they don't get at least two night kickoffs this season. Four or five might be a stretch, but after a promising offseason and a revitalized roster, two prime-time games feels like a fair expectation—not counting their International Series game in France. We'll find out soon enough whether the Saints are back in the spotlight or if fans will be left wanting more in 2026.