Johnson, coming off the most productive season of his NFL career, totaled 77 receptions for 889 yards and three touchdowns in 2025. Shough indicated that Johnson still has room to grow, suggesting a potential leap in production and impact in 2026 as Shough takes charge of the offense under Kellen Moore.
“Juwan, he’s due for a huge year,” Shough said, underscoring his confidence in Johnson’s abilities and leadership. He noted that McCoy and Johnson have been steady forces within the locker room, especially valuable given the Saints’ shifting coaching staff and quarterback changes over recent years.
Johnson has proven to be more than a reliable target, possessing the speed, hands, and ability to separate that help stretch defenses. In 2025, he averaged 11.5 yards per reception, demonstrating his capacity to contribute beyond short-yardage plays. Shough highlighted Johnson’s role as a trusted conduit for the offense’s message and a key communicator on the field, which is crucial for a quarterback who is still growing into the system.
The Saints’ tight end room adds further versatility with veteran Noah Fant and rookie Oscar Delp, a third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Delp is described as a 6-foot-4, 245-pound tight end with receiving skills, yards-after-catch ability, and blocking value. This trio provides multiple ways to create favorable matchups and keep defenses guessing. Shough pointed out that Delp’s presence offers a different kind of option alongside Johnson and Fant, giving head coach and offensive coordinator more personnel flexibility to exploit defenses.
With Johnson, Fant, and Delp on the field, the Saints can deploy heavier personnel packages while still spreading the field. This versatility allows them to remain unpredictable, whether they opt for a run-heavy approach or spread formations that leverage mismatches in the middle of the field. Shough suggested that having multiple tight ends enables the offense to present varied looks and keep defenses from locking into a single configuration.
For Shough, Johnson’s development in the red zone and on third down could be transformative. Tight ends who can create separation against linebackers or safeties provide cleaner throwing windows and reduce the reliance on wide receivers to win on their own. Johnson’s growth could help the offense maximize its weapons, including top receiver Chris Olave, speedster Jordyn Tyson, and a dynamic backfield featuring Alvin Kamara and Travis Etienne. Johnson’s ability to gain yardage reliably in the middle of the field would enhance the offense’s overall efficiency and balance.
Johnson’s 2025 season nearly reached a thousand receiving yards, a milestone that could elevate his role and the Saints’ strategic options. Shough’s optimism about a potential breakout year for Johnson aligns with the broader goal of making the offense more dynamic and less predictable. If Johnson continues to elevate his game, it could compel defenses to adjust more frequently, creating opportunities for Olave and Tyson on the outside and for the running game to flourish with improved play design.
Beyond Johnson, the Saints’ growing tight end group is central to creating matchup problems for defenses. Shough’s remarks reflect a broader strategy to diversify the offense’s personnel and formations, enabling more efficient use of the middle of the field and greater adaptability in various down-and-distance situations. With the quarterback’s development and the tightening of the offense around multiple tight ends, New Orleans appears poised to implement a more flexible and potent attack in 2026.
In summary, Tyler Shough’s comments spotlight Juwan Johnson as a potential cornerstone of the Saints’ offense, with room to expand his impact significantly. The combination of Johnson’s leadership and receiving ability, coupled with Fant and Delp’s complementary skill sets, provides a versatile toolkit for Kellen Moore’s offensive system. If Johnson reaches the anticipated production level and the tight end room fulfills its potential, the Saints could see a more dynamic and difficult-to-defend offense in the upcoming season.
