Saints Coaches Lead American Team at Senior Bowl

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The New Orleans Saints' coaching staff will lead the American Team at the 2026 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, giving them a direct line to scouting top prospects ahead of the NFL Draft. This is a major advantage for the Saints, who have found success in recent years drafting players they've evaluated at the Senior Bowl, such as quarterback Tyler Shough.

Why it matters

The Senior Bowl provides NFL teams an up-close look at top college prospects in a competitive, coached environment. Having their own staff lead the American Team gives the Saints unparalleled access to evaluate players' skills, work ethic and character - factors that can be difficult to assess through traditional scouting methods like film, pro days and the NFL Combine.

The details

Saints Associate Head Coach and running backs coach Joel Thomas will serve as the Head Coach for the American Team, with several other New Orleans assistants joining him on the staff. This allows the Saints' front office to closely observe how these prospects handle coaching, pressure and game situations before the NFL Draft.

• The 2026 Senior Bowl will take place in Mobile, Alabama.

What’s next

The Saints' coaching staff will closely evaluate the top prospects at the 2026 Senior Bowl, with a focus on positions like quarterback, running back and wide receiver, as they prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft.